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Ask the Experts Frequently Asked Questions
Sexually Transmitted Infections
What is herpes?
Genital and oral herpes are caused by a virus called Herpes Simplex Virus. The virus causes small, painful sores (often called cold sores) on the genitals (genital herpes) or around the mouth (oral herpes). Herpes can be spread from genitals to genitals, mouth to genitals, and genitals to mouth.
Herpes begins as blisters that then become sores, which are usually oozing and very painful. These sores can appear anywhere around the mouth, genitals, or anus. During the first bout of sores, which is called an �outbreak,� they typically dry up and heal in about 12 days. Later on, outbreaks are generally shorter and milder. A person usually feels a tingling sensation around the area of the skin right before sores appear and may have a low-grade fever.
A person is most contagious when the sores are visible, but the virus can also spread from the skin even when there are no sores on the lips, mouth, or genitals. A person who experiences an outbreak of sores should abstain from having sex, kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or lip balms. Condoms and latex barriers can also be effective, as long as they cover the area of skin where sores are (or were) present.
The herpes virus stays in a person�s body forever and outbreaks of sores can happen throughout life. There�s no cure for herpes, but medicine can help reduce the pain, control the number of outbreaks, and shorten their length.
