- Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Typical Symptoms
- Painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually are grouped in clusters. They occur anywhere around the opening of the vagina or on the penis. Blisters dry out, crust over and heal in 7-10 days.
- The symptoms are worst during the first episode of genital herpes.
- Recurrences of genital herpes can occur and often are less painful and of shorter duration.
- People can have genital herpes and have no symptoms at all (asymptomatic).
General Information
- Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2).
- Genital herpes is the most common STD. Close to 50 million persons in the United States have genital herpes.
- There is no cure for genital herpes; however, there are medications that can reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms.
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If not, see these other symptoms
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