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What
is herpes?
How do I get herpes?
What does herpes do to my body?
Is there a cure for herpes?
How do I find out if I have herpes?
How can I reduce my risk of getting
herpes?
How do I learn more about herpes?
What
is herpes?
Herpes is a very
common skin disease. It's caused by a virus and
can affect your mouth (oral) and/or the area around
the penis or vagina (genital), upper thighs or
buttocks. Most of the time, it is hard to notice
herpes, so a lot of people don't know they have
it. Cold sores and fever blisters are an example
of herpes in your mouth.
How
do I get herpes?
You can get herpes from
touching someone else's skin that has herpes, including:
- Kissing someone with a cold
sore
- Oral, anal and vaginal sex
- Touching any area infected with
herpes
You can get herpes even if you can't
see it.
What
does herpes do to my body?
Most
people don't know
they have herpes.
You can find out
that you have herpes
as soon as 3 days
or as late as years
after getting it.
Herpes usually affects the mouth
and area around
the penis or vagina,
buttocks or upper
thighs. Some signs
of herpes are:
- Blisters, bumps, or pimples
on the infected area that crust over
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain while peeing
Herpes sometimes looks like bug bites,
rash, jock itch, zipper burn, razor burn, irritation
from sex, or yeast infection. Get tested if you are
confused if you have herpes.
Herpes signs may appear without warning.
These "outbreaks" will appear on average
from 1-5 times per year when the virus "wakes
up". Stress, eating badly, not exercising, and
scary events may cause a herpes outbreak in some people.
Is
there a cure for herpes?
No,
herpes can't be cured. Once the virus enters your
body, you can't get rid of it. However, medicines
and therapy can lower the number of visible herpes
outbreaks. Herpes is usually not harmful, but it
can make it easier for you to receive HIV if you're
exposed. To learn more about treatment for herpes,
go to http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_treatment.cfm How
do I find out if I have herpes?
You can get tested for herpes
at your doctor's office anytime you want. You should
definitely go see your doctor no later than 48
hours after noticing symptoms on your skin. If
you don't have symptoms, ask for a "herpes
type-specific IgG " blood test.
How can I reduce my risk
of getting herpes?
- Don't Have Sex
Don't have oral, vaginal
or anal sex, especially if you can see that someone
has herpes or any sexually transmitted infection
(STI).
- Protect Yourself
Use a latex condom, plastic
wrap, dental dam or any other protective object
throughout sex. Condoms don't provide
complete protection against herpes, but they
can help.
- Get Tested
Remember that most people
with an STI don't know they have it. A simple
blood test or skin test at your doctor's office
can tell you if you have herpes.
- Talk with
Your Partner
Ask your partner if he/she
has any STI. Do not have sex with him/her until
you know for sure and both of you are tested.
- Limit the
Number of Partners You
Have
The
fewer people
you have sex
with, the safer
you will be.
Limit yourself
to one partner
who you know
does not have
an STI.
How do I learn more
about herpes?
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