Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that normally affects the genitals, buttocks, thighs, or anal opening. It is caused by an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is in the same family of viruses that cause
chickenpox,
shingles, and
mononucleosis (mono).
There are two types of HSV that cause genital herpes:
- HSV type 1 most commonly infects the mouth and lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores. It is also an important cause of sores to the genitals through oral sex. Up to 30 percent of genital herpes cases are caused by HSV-1.
- HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it can also infect the mouth through oral sex.
Preventing a herpes infection in the first place is always the best medicine, because there is no cure for genital herpes
(see
Preventing Genital Herpes). Once you have the virus, it stays in your body, and there is a chance that you will have herpes outbreaks. Medication can shorten and stop outbreaks from happening, but it cannot cure the condition.
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