Men and Women who are sexually active should be screened for STDs once a year, or visit a physician any time they notice changes or feel something isn't right.
- What is it?
Genital Herpes is an STD caused by the Herpes virus.
- How is it transmitted?
Genital Herpes is passed by contact with the penis, vagina, and mouth. The virus can be released from sores that the virus causes, but can also be released from the skin that has no visible sore. It can be transmitted from mouth sores to genitals.
- What are the symptoms?
One or more blisters around the genitals or rectum. They can appear at anytime and usually take a couple of weeks to heal.
- How is it diagnosed and treated?
It can be diagnosed by visual inspection from a physician during an outbreak, a test from a sore sample, or a blood test when an outbreak is not present. Genital Herpes cannot be cured. It can however be managed with antiviral medication and daily suppressive therapy.
- How can it be prevented?
Abstinence is the best way to avoid transmission. Men using a new latex condom during intercourse or when receiving oral sex, can reduce the chances of transmission. Latex dental dams used correctly can aid in transmission reduction for oral sex on a women or oral to anal sex. If you chose to do drugs, always use a clean needle and never share needles with anyone else. Remember, any part of the body that is not covered by a condom can pass the virus.
- You should know
Genital Herpes can cause psychological distress in people who know they are infected. Because it is a virus that cannot be cured, those infected should inform sexual partners before contact even in latent periods, as the disease can be spread even when no sores are present.