In this Article

• What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
• What is genital herpes?
• What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
• How are genital herpes diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for genital herpes?
• Genital Herpes At A Glance
• Genital Herpes In Women Glossary
• Genital Herpes In Women Index

Genital Herpes At A Glance

• There is no "safe" sex.
  
  
• Condoms do not necessarily prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
  
  
• Genital herpes is a viral infection that can cause painful genital sores and causes recurrent outbreaks.
  
  
• Many people are infected with herpes virus and are now aware of the infection.
  
  
• The herpes virus is spread by direct person-to-person contact.
  
  
• An infected person may transmit the virus to others even if no symptoms are present.
  
  
• There is no cure for genital herpes, but viral shedding and outbreaks can be reduced with antiviral medications. 

Previous contributing author: Carolyn Janet Crandall, MD, FACP

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• acyclovir, Zovirax - Explains the medication acyclovir (Zovirax), a drug used to treat initial genital herpes infections and to treat patients with recurrent severe genital herpes.
• Colposcopy - Learn about colposcopy, a procedure used to determine and examine the cervical and vaginal area for cervical cancer and other conditions.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs) - Learn and become aware of common STDs in women, including descriptions, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of each type of infection.

Read more Genital Herpes In Women related articles »

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