1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Pictures Slideshow
2. Image Collection: Picture of Genital Warts (HPV)
3. Take the Genital Herpes Quiz

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
• What is genital herpes?
• What causes genital herpes?
• What are genital herpes symptoms and signs?
• How is genital herpes diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for genital herpes?
• How can genital herpes be prevented?
• What is the prognosis (outlook) for genital herpes?
• Where can people get more information about genital herpes?
• Genital Herpes At A Glance
• Genital Herpes FAQs
• Patient Comments: Genital Herpes In Women - Experience
• Patient Comments: Genital Herpes In Women - Treatments
• Find a local Obstetrician-Gynecologist in your town
• Genital Herpes In Women Index

"Genital Herpes Fact Sheet," U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm

"Genital Herpes Health Center," WebMD.com
http://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/default.htm

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org/publications/
patient_education/bp054.cfm

• 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.

REFERENCES:

Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.

Salvaggio, Michelle R., Lutwick, Larry I, Seenivasan, Meena, and Kumar, Swati. "Herpes Simplex." eMedicine.com. Dec. 3, 2010. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/218580-overview>.

Previous contributing author: Carolyn Janet Crandall, MD, MS, FACP