Genital herpes is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. Symptoms of genital herpes include rash, bumps, and/or fluid-filled blisters on the genitals, buttocks, and anus. When a person initially becomes infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV), the symptoms manifest themselves anywhere from a few days to one week after sexual contact. Once a person has been infected with this STD, the virus lingers in the body forever. Genital herpes is considered to be a chronic disease, as it never completely goes away. A herpes sufferer may be in remission for months or years, but an outbreak is always possible. Genital herpes is a common STD, affecting approximately 1 out of every 5 sexually active teens and adults. Some people do not realize they are carrying the virus and unknowingly pass it on to their partners, which may be one explanation as to why the incidence of this sexually transmitted disease is so high. There is no cure for genital herpes, although making healthy lifestyle choices and maintaining a strong immune system may help reduce a person's chance of developing the infection. To reduce one's risk of becoming infected with this sexually transmitted disease, it helps to have a clear understanding of genital herpes causes.
Genital Herpes Causes (Viral):
Sexual contact with a herpes-infected person is one of the most obvious genital herpes causes. Genital herpes may be spread orally, vaginally, and/or anally. The virus that is usually responsible for genital herpes is called HSV-2, although HSV-1 (the virus responsible for oral herpes lesions and fever blisters) is increasingly becoming one of the more common genital herpes causes. A person with herpes may not know they are contagious, leading to unwitting spread of the STD. When a person is first exposed to the herpes virus, he or she may experience flu-like symptoms (fever, aches, swollen glands) in addition to the hallmark skin lesions. This initial outbreak is frequently the most painful episode the herpes sufferer will have; relapses are often less severe. While scientists have discovered these viral genital herpes causes, they have yet to find a cure. No one knows exactly where or how the herpes virus originated, but history tells us the STD has been around for centuries. The ancient Greeks documented it as a bothersome, creeping rash. Roman Emperor Tiberius, two thousand years ago, outlawed kissing in an attempt to stop an oral herpes epidemic.
Genital Herpes Causes (Behavioral):
Engaging in oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse without prophylactic protection is one of the most significant genital herpes causes. The STD may be spread during oral sex, from one person's genitals to another person's mouth. It may be spread during penetrative intercourse, from penis to vagina, penis to penis, penis to anus, and all other possible sexual combinations. Those with compromised immune systems (due to chronic illness, pregnancy, and other reasons) may be more susceptible to the contraction of this sexually transmitted disease. Sexual partners who do not know each other very well, or who do not have faith in each others' honesty, may choose to use a condom or other protective barrier when engaging in sexual intercourse. People who have had herpes outbreaks in the past are contagious all the time, even when they do not have any visible lesions. Abstinence is the only surefire way to prevent the transmission of this sexually transmitted disease, but this is not an ideal option for many people. Sexually active teens adults are not the only ones who are vulnerable to this sexually transmitted disease. Infected mothers who deliver their babies vaginally may inadvertently transmit the STD to their children during birth.
