Herpes is a very common form of disease that is transmitted sexually and caused by a herpes simplex virus. There are 2 main types of herpes simplex virus. The type 1 herpes simplex virus generally causes blisters on the mouth or face, while the type 2 herpes simplex virus usually affects the genitals (genital herpes). But they can both cause oral or genital herpes. In most cases, both type 1 and type 2 herpes simplex viruses are silent; they cause no symptoms, but the infected person will have outbreaks consisting of blisters and ulcers. Unfortunately, once a person becomes infected with a herpes simplex virus, then that person is infected for life. Genital herpes can spread even though there are no visible sores on the infected person. Genital herpes is transmitted through sexual intercourse with an infected. It is often transmitted because the infected person is unaware that he/she is infected with the virus. Recent studies show that 45 million people above the age of 12 years are infected with type 2 herpes simplex virus. This means that 1 out of 5 of the total teen and adult population is infected with the virus. There are more known cases of female herpes than there are male herpes. This is most likely because the virus transmission is more efficient from male to female than it is from female to male. It is also more common among African Americans than in Caucasians. Poverty, illicit drug use, living in a place with a prevalence of STDs and poor access to health care can be risk factors also.

In most cases, type 2 herpes simplex virus produce only very mild symptoms and those infected with it don’t even know that they have it. However, the type 2 virus can cause painful ulcers in the genital area and can severely suppress the immune system in some people. Most people experience psychological distress when they find out that they are infected with the disease. The babies of infected pregnant mothers are at the risk of very fetal infections. It is advised for the infected pregnant mothers to have a cesarean section during delivery to lessen the risk of herpes infection being passed on to the newborn baby. The spread of type 2 herpes simplex virus can make people more susceptible to contracting AIDS virus from infected individuals.

Genital herpes are usually diagnosed by visual inspection. The doctor may also take samples from a sore or blister and perform tests to make sure if it is indeed a herpes virus. Unfortunately, there are no medications to cure herpes. But there are treatments to help alleviate pain and control outbreaks of the infection. People, who are infected with the virus, and those who are partners of infected individuals, should always use latex condoms during sexual intercourse for protection. It is advised to abstain from sexual intercourse when there is an active outbreak or if the symptoms are visible. In between outbreaks, always use latex condoms during intercourse to avoid viral transmission.