Herpes is a disease which is sexually transmitted. This infection is caused because of the herpes simplex virus. When a person is infected with the herpes virus it stays within the body and this infection can be transmitted to any other person through sexual intercourse or direct skin contact with the infected site. The virus essentially remains within nerve cells of the body and produces symptoms associated with this infection from time to time.

Herpes virus is spread by direct contact and so in a genital herpes case the infection can be transferred by way of skin to skin contact. For this reason it is important to avoid direct contact with the infected areas. The two types of herpes virus include type 1 which causes lesions and cold sores on the lips and the mouth areas and type 2 which causes genital herpes.

In some cases the virus (type 1) can also affect the genital areas. The lesions caused by herpes are observed around the penis, vaginal area and also around the anus along with the thighs and the buttocks. If the sores are observed in other areas of the body then it could be because the virus has gained entry through some broken skin.

Direct skin contact with someone having cold sores or blisters and sexual activity with an infected person can cause herpes. Herpes virus however cannot spread through the air and in case of direct contact it can spread only when the contact is with the infection site. Different people have different symptoms in this condition.

Some of the symptoms associated with genital herpes include redness, itching and tingling feeling in the areas near the genitals. The person may also experience leg pain and there may also be fluid discharge from the vagina. Swelling of lymph nodes in the groin region may also occur. Herpes virus can also spread during the time when there are no outward symptoms and this is called asymptomatic transmission.

With herpes virus when the replication occurs it can destroy cells and this results in formation of lesions and ulcers on the skin. As the healing process sets in the ulcers crust over. The factors that can trigger activity of the virus include physical as well as emotional stress, anxiety, and exposure to sunlight, menstruation, nerve damage, infections and a compromised immune system.

Herpes virus does not have any permanent cure but with some antiviral medication the symptoms associated with this condition can be effectively managed. Medicines prescribed to treat this condition include Acyclovir, Famciclovir and Valacyclovir. These medicines can help in faster healing of the symptoms and also ensure that frequency of future outbreaks is reduced.