Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This means that it is a disease that you get by having sex with someone who already has genital herpes.

It is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once you are infected, the virus stays in your body for life. You can give herpes to another person if you have sex when your herpes virus is active.

What are the signs of genital herpes?
The first signs of herpes show up two to ten days after having sex with an infected person. These signs can last from two to three weeks. The signs of genital herpes are:

1. Small red bumps on the penis, vagina, or wherever the infection began. These bumps may become blisters or painful open sores,

2. Itching or burning in the genital (sex organs) area,

3. Pain in the legs, bottom, or genital area,

4. Vaginal discharge,

5. Feeling pressure or discomfort around your stomach,

6. Fever,

7. Headache,

8. Muscle aches,

9. Pain when urinating, and

10. Swollen glands in the genital area.

"I just got over my first outbreak of genital herpes. Will I have other "outbreaks?" Yes. Herpes can come back. It stays in the cells of your body, even after all signs of the infection have gone away. When the virus comes back, you can infect people that you have sex with.

Some people have herpes virus outbreaks only once or twice in their lives; other people have many outbreaks of herpes each year. Doctors don't know what causes the virus to come back. Some women say the virus comes back when they are sick, under stress, out in the sun, or during their period.

"How is genital herpes treated?"

Genital herpes is treated with an oral medicine called Acyclovir. Acyclovir can be taken the first time you get herpes and during later outbreaks of the virus. This medicine makes the herpes outbreaks last for less time and less intensity, but it does not cure genital herpes.

"I have herpes. What can I do to keep it from spreading to other parts of my body and to other people?" Here are ways to keep genital herpes from spreading:

1. Do not have sex with anyone when you can see your herpes sores (when your herpes infection is active). Use a condom if you have sex after the sores have healed.

2. Keep the infected area clean and dry.

3. Try to keep from touching the sores.

4. Wash your hands right away if you touch the sores.

"Can genital herpes cause problems during pregnancy?" Yes. A pregnant woman can pass the virus to her baby during delivery. Babies born with herpes may have brain damage, severe rashes, eye problems, or they may die.

Doctors will do a C-section to deliver a baby if the mother has herpes near the birth canal. Also, Acyclovir can help babies born with herpes if they are treated right away.

"How can I keep from getting genital herpes?"

Here are ways to keep from getting genital herpes.

1. Do not have sex (intercourse, oral, or anal).

2. If you have sex:

· use a condom (also use a condom for oral and anal sex);

· have sex with only one uninfected person - do not have multiple partners

· ask your sex partner(s) if he or she has genital herpes or other STDs, has had sex with someone who has an STD, or has sores, rashes, or discharge in the genital area; and

· get regular check-ups for STDs if you have sex with more than one person. Get a check-up even if you don't have any signs of a STD.

A check-up cannot prevent STDs, but it can help to detect them in their early stages so they can be treated.

For More Information...
You can find out more about genital herpes by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations:

CDC National STD Hotline
Phone: (800) 227-8922
Internet Address: http://www.ashastd.org/NSTD/index.html

National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention
Phone: (800) 227-8922
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/nchstp.html

National Herpes Hotline
Phone: (919) 361-8488

National Institute of Allergies & Infectious Diseases
Internet Address: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Office on Women's Health
Phone: (404) 639-7230
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/owh/whhome.htm

Herpes Resource Center
Phone: (800) 230-6039
Internet Address: http://sunsite.unc.edu/ASHA/herpes/hrc.html





	"What is Genital Herpes?" (Courtesy of the National Women's Health Information Center) Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This means that it is a disease that you get by having sex with someone who already has genital herpes. It is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once you are infected, the virus stays in your body for life. You can give herpes to another person if you have sex when your herpes virus is active. What are the signs of genital herpes? The first signs of herpes show up two to ten days after having sex with an infected person. These signs can last from two to three weeks. The signs of genital herpes are: 1. Small red bumps on the penis, vagina, or wherever the infection began. These bumps may become blisters or painful open sores, 2. Itching or burning in the genital (sex organs) area, 3. Pain in the legs, bottom, or genital area, 4. Vaginal discharge, 5. Feeling pressure or discomfort around your stomach, 6. Fever, 7. Headache, 8. Muscle aches, 9. Pain when urinating, and 10. Swollen glands in the genital area. "I just got over my first outbreak of genital herpes. Will I have other "outbreaks?" Yes. Herpes can come back. It stays in the cells of your body, even after all signs of the infection have gone away. When the virus comes back, you can infect people that you have sex with. Some people have herpes virus outbreaks only once or twice in their lives; other people have many outbreaks of herpes each year. Doctors don't know what causes the virus to come back. Some women say the virus comes back when they are sick, under stress, out in the sun, or during their period. "How is genital herpes treated?" Genital herpes is treated with an oral medicine called Acyclovir. Acyclovir can be taken the first time you get herpes and during later outbreaks of the virus. This medicine makes the herpes outbreaks last for less time and less intensity, but it does not cure genital herpes. "I have herpes. What can I do to keep it from spreading to other parts of my body and to other people?" Here are ways to keep genital herpes from spreading: 1. Do not have sex with anyone when you can see your herpes sores (when your herpes infection is active). Use a condom if you have sex after the sores have healed. 2. Keep the infected area clean and dry. 3. Try to keep from touching the sores. 4. Wash your hands right away if you touch the sores. "Can genital herpes cause problems during pregnancy?" Yes. A pregnant woman can pass the virus to her baby during delivery. Babies born with herpes may have brain damage, severe rashes, eye problems, or they may die. Doctors will do a C-section to deliver a baby if the mother has herpes near the birth canal. Also, Acyclovir can help babies born with herpes if they are treated right away. "How can I keep from getting genital herpes?" Here are ways to keep from getting genital herpes. 1. Do not have sex (intercourse, oral, or anal). 2. If you have sex: · use a condom (also use a condom for oral and anal sex); · have sex with only one uninfected person - do not have multiple partners · ask your sex partner(s) if he or she has genital herpes or other STDs, has had sex with someone who has an STD, or has sores, rashes, or discharge in the genital area; and · get regular check-ups for STDs if you have sex with more than one person. Get a check-up even if you don't have any signs of a STD. A check-up cannot prevent STDs, but it can help to detect them in their early stages so they can be treated. For More Information... You can find out more about genital herpes by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations: CDC National STD Hotline Phone: (800) 227-8922 Internet Address: http://www.ashastd.org/NSTD/index.html National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention Phone: (800) 227-8922 Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/nchstp.html National Herpes Hotline Phone: (919) 361-8488 National Institute of Allergies & Infectious Diseases Internet Address: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Office on Women's Health Phone: (404) 639-7230 Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/owh/whhome.htm Herpes Resource Center Phone: (800) 230-6039 Internet Address: http://sunsite.unc.edu/ASHA/herpes/hrc.html (Courtesy of the National Women?s Health Information Center) Copyright 2002 Brandwynne Corporation. All rights reserved. Thank you for your trust.

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