Genital herpes is a viral disease caused by herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV): HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both the types of HSV can cause genital herpes but HSV-2 causes most cases of genital herpes.
- HSV-1 usually causes of cold sores around the mouth area. But it can lead to genital herpes too (such as a person who has cold sore performs oral sex on you, you can get genital herpes).
- HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes but it can also causecold sores.
Genital herpes is a common type of sexually transmitted disease (STD).The term STD means that the disease spreads from 1 person to other during vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. So you may get infected with herpes in case skin, vagina, penis, or mouth comes into contact with someone who has herpes infection.
The herpes virus spreads from one person to other by direct skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact. The virus is present in the secretions of the genitals or mouth. Genital herpes infection can be transmitted through penile-vaginal intercourse, anal sex, oral-genital sexual intercourse, along with other sexual body-to-body contact.You are more likely to deal with the infection if the individual has sores, blisters, or a rash (an active epidemic). But many men and women who do not have symptoms can continue to be infectious that is they can transmit the illness.
Many people get genital herpes through vaginal or anal sex with someone that has a genital HSV-2 disease. However it’s likely to get infected through oral sex, this is most likely the chief cause of genital herpes due to HSV-1. Genital HSV-2 disease occurs more frequently in girls in comparison with men (roughly 1 of every 4 women is infected whereas almost 1 of every 8 men is infected).Besides sexual intercourse and oral sex HSV may be transmitted, from mother to child during vaginal delivery. Delivery by cesarean section can prevent this kind of transmission (from a mother to baby).
You cannot get HSV infection by sitting on polluted toilet chairs, by hot tubs or swimming pools, or alternative non-intimate contact. Rarely the disease can spread from 1 part of the body to another (autoinoculation)–so try not to touch the sores and always wash hands with soap and water should you touch the blisters.
