Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—also referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—are those spread by sexual contact. They may also be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus before or during delivery.
Exposure to an STD can occur anytime a person has sex or close contact that involves the genitals, the mouth, or the rectum with another person, but exposure is more likely if a person has many sex partners or does not use condoms. STDs can be prevented by not having sexual contact (abstinence).
Genital Herpes is one of STD desease. Most people never have symptoms, or the symptoms are so mild that people do not know that they are infected. But in some people, the disease causes occasional outbreaks of itchy and painful sores in the genital area. Some people have outbreaks of itchy and painful blisters Click here to see an illustration. on the penis or around the opening of the vagina. The blisters rupture and turn into oozing shallow sores that take up to 3 weeks to heal. Sometimes people, especially women, also have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and muscle aches. They may also notice an abnormal discharge and pain when they urinate.
Genital herpes is caused by a virus—either the herpes simplex virus type 1 or the herpes simplex virus type 2. Either virus can cause sores on the lips (cold sores) and sores on the genitals. Type 1 more often causes cold sores, while type 2 more often causes genital sores.
You are more likely to get genital herpes if you:
- Have more than one sex partner.
- Have a high-risk partner (someone who has more than one sex partner or someone who has genital herpes).
- Have unprotected sex (without condoms).
- Have sex before age 18.
- Have an impaired immune system.
Genital Herpes can be prevented with a safe sex
