GENITAL HERPES

Genital herpes is a common STD, and most people with genital herpes infection do not know they have it. You can get genital herpes even if your partner shows no signs of the infection. If you have any symptoms (like a sore on your genitals, especially one that periodically recurs) laboratory tests can help determine if you have genital herpes. There is no cure for herpes, but treatment is available to reduce symptoms and decrease the risk of transmission to a partner.

• Fact Sheet

What to Watch for:

• Symptoms show up 1-30 days after having sex.
• Some people have no symptoms.
• Flu-like feelings.
• Small, painful blisters on the sex organs or mouth.
• Itching or burning before the blisters appear.
• Blisters last 1-3 weeks.
• Blisters go away, but you still have herpes.  Blisters can come back.
  

How Do You Get This STD?

• Spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has herpes.

What Happens If You Don't Get Treated?

• You can give herpes to your sexual partner(s).
• Herpes cannot be cured.
• A mother with herpes can give it to her baby during childbirth.