Genital herpes is an STD caused by two types of viruses. The viruses are called herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2. Herpes simplex viruses — more commonly known as herpes — are categorized into two types: herpes type 1 (HSV-1, or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes). Most commonly, herpes type 1 causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2.
Genital herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. Repeat outbreaks of genital herpes are common, especially during the first year after infection. Repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although the infection can stay in the body for the rest of your life, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.
Fluids found in a herpes sore carry the virus, and contact with those fluids can cause infection. You can also get herpes from having oral, anal or vaginal sex with an infected sex partner who does not have a visible sore or who may not know he or she is infected because the virus can be released through your skin and spread the infection to your sex partner(s).Most people have outbreaks several times a year. Over time, you get them less often and the symptoms become milder. The virus stays in your body for life.
Symptoms
Most people who have herpes have no, or very mild symptoms.
- Blisters that break and leave painful sores that may take weeks to heal. These symptoms are sometimes called “having an outbreak.”
- The first time someone has an outbreak they may also have flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, or swollen glands.
Medicines do not cure genital herpes, but they can help your body fight the virus. This can help lessen symptoms, decrease outbreaks, and lower the risk of passing the virus to others.
Test options
STI-9*: Screen for Herpes 1 and II and other STD’s but no differentiation between the two
HSV 1 and 2 Panel: Herpes I and II differentiation
*The STI9 test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Caribbean Genetics. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or local regulations
Learn more about Herpes I and II
http://www.herpes.com/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/sti-estimates-fact-sheet-feb-2013.pdf
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/genitalherpes.html
http://std.about.com/od/viraldiseases/a/hsvoverview.htm
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/genitalherpes/Pages/default.aspx
