Genital herpes is a common STD, and most people with genital herpes infection do not know they have it.
- You can get genital herpes even if your partner shows no signs of the infection.
- If you have any symptoms (like a sore on your genitals, especially one that periodically recurs) laboratory tests can help determine if you have genital herpes.
- There is no cure for herpes, but treatment is available to reduce symptoms and decrease the risk of transmission to a partner.
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Signs, symptoms, transmission, treatment, prevention and more.
What to Watch for:
- Symptoms show up 1-30 days after having sex.
- Some people have no symptoms.
- Flu-like feelings.
- Small, painful blisters on the sex organs or mouth.
- Itching or burning before the blisters appear.
- Blisters last 1-3 weeks.
- Blisters go away, but you still have herpes. Blisters can come back.
How Do You Get This STD:
- Spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has herpes.
What Happens If You Don't Get Treated:
- You can give herpes to your sexual partner(s).
- Herpes cannot be cured.
- A mother with herpes can give it to her baby during childbirth.