Genital herpes is a common STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) that can be controlled with medication and a healthy lifestyle. Treatment helps to reduce outbreaks and symptoms. There is no cure! Infection remains in the body: live in the ganglion HSV (HSV-1 in the trigeminal ganglion; HSV-2 in the sacral ganglia). There is no cure for Genital Herpes.
Genital herpes is usually located below the waist and is caused by HSV-2, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2. For the most part, one can only get HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. Cold sores or HSV-1, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, also can cause genital herpes. HSV-1 genital infections can be caused by oral-genital contact or genital-genital with someone who has HSV-1 infection. So having oral sex with someone who has a cold sore can cause genital herpes, has had contact with a cold sore. Keep in mind, even if the cold sore is not present, there may be asymptomatic shedding or transmission. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks and usually less severe.
Asymptomatic Shedding – Even if no symptoms are present, people with herpes can still be contagious and spread to the symptoms of genital herpes shedding. This is obvious when lesions are present, but viral shedding may also be when there are no injuries. Some pharmaceutical drugs taken prophylaxis can reduce the risk of transmission to partners.
Genital herpes is usually associated with recurrent painful genital sores – The first outbreak can be intense with painful injuries and flu type symptoms and usually occur within two weeks after the virus is transmitted. (Note that there are no symptoms at all, may also occur.) One or more blisters may appear on or around the genitals or anus. When the blisters rupture, the lesions remain and may require several weeks to crust over and go. The symptoms of recurrent episodes are usually milder than the first episode and typically last about a week. Sometimes recurrent outbreaks start with tingling, pain or itching in genital area, rectum, or lower legs. These are called prodromal symptoms and can be painful wound. Be advised that genital herpes is very contagious, especially when the wound is present and during the prodromal stage.