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What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease, or STD. (This means it spreads from person to person
during vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact.) It is caused by a virus. Genital herpes is one of the
most common STDs in the United States.
Once a person gets genital herpes, it stays in the body for life. In some people, symptoms
come and go. When symptoms appear, it is called a "herpes outbreak."
What causes genital herpes?
Genital herpes is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who has the
herpes simplex virus, or HSV. There are 2 types of HSV:
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Type 2, known as HSV-2. It is the main cause of genital herpes. |
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Type 1, known as HSV-1. It is the main cause of oral herpes lesions,
often called fever blisters or cold sores. HSV-1 is a less frequent cause
of genital herpes, but it is becoming more common. |
Most cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV-2, which is transmitted primarily
during vaginal or anal sex. In recent years, however, HSV-1 has been causing more and more genital herpes
cases. Genital HSV-1 is spread mainly through oral sex with a partner who has a sore on the mouth or lips,
but some cases may result from vaginal or anal sex. HSV-1 is much less likely to cause repeat outbreaks
of genital herpes than HSV-2. Almost all people who have recurrent genital herpes are infected with HSV-2.
Who is more likely to get genital herpes?
Anyone who has vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner can get genital herpes.
But women get it more often than men do.
Learn about the symptoms of genital herpes
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