Herpes is very common in the United States.  Nationwide, 16.2%, or about one out of six people, 14 to 49 years of age have genital Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 infection.

Herpes is caused by two types of the herpes simplex virus; herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2).  Both types can cause blisters, usually on the moist skin:

    * in or around the mouth (cold sores)
    * on or around the penis or inside the anal canal (butt).  This is called genital or anal herpes.

During sex both types of the virus can be passed from one part of your body to someone else's.  For example, if someone with a cold sore performs oral sex (sucks another man's penis) it can lead to herpes blisters on that penis.   

Many men have been infected with one or both of the two herpes simplex viruses without knowing.  This is because our immune system often stops the virus causing any problems.

Most people infected with herpes are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. However, most individuals with Herpes infection never have sores, or they have very mild signs that they do not even notice or that they mistake for insect bites or another skin condition.

You may not notice symptoms of herpes until many months, or even years, after sex with an infected person.  Again, these symptoms can include:

    * blisters where it first came into contact with your body (usually on your penis or mouth or in your throat or anus (butt)
    * flu-like aches and pains
    * swollen glands

Itching, tingling or redness in the affected area may warn you blisters are about to appear.  Blisters hold an infectious clear fluid.  The blister bursts, scabs over and heals in 10 to 14 days.

This might be the first and last time you get the blisters.  But if they come back, it'll be to the same part of your body as before.  Usually they won't be as bad as the first time, but they still are painful. 

The herpes virus is passed on by skin contact with someone's herpes sores through:

    * Anal sex: topping or bottoming without condoms
    * Oral sex: sucking or being sucked without condoms
    * Oral-anal sex: Rimming or being rimmed without barriers
    * Masturbating (giving someone a hand job) or fingering someone with blisters on their penis or in their anal canal (butt)

The virus can be in the spit of someone with cold sores.  It can sometimes be passed on through contact with skin that has no blisters. 

You can reduce the risk of herpes by:

* avoiding sex if you or your partner has a cold sore or herpes blister
* avoiding sex if you feel a blister coming on, as the virus is in the skin just before the blisters appear
* using condoms helps stop herpes if it acts as a barrier against the part of the body with the blister
* washing hands if blisters are touched and before touching other parts of your body
* if you have a cold sore, not using your spit as a lubricant during sex

Persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity with uninfected partners when blisters and sores or other symptoms of herpes are present. It is important to know that even if a person does not have any symptoms he or she can still infect sex partners. Sex partners of infected persons should be advised that they may become infected and they should use condoms to reduce the risk.
 
The surest way to prevent herpes is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with only one sex partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. Avoiding alcohol and drug use may also help prevent transmission of herpes because these activities may lead to risky sexual behavior.  It is also important that you have good communication with your sex partners. 

Remember that Herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact.  Therefore, even using a condom does not protect you from Herpes if the condom does not cover the blisters or the area on the skin where the virus is located. 

There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. 

The herpes virus stays in your body, but your immune system should keep it under control most of the time and clear up blisters if they happen.

Certain things bring on the sores, such as tiredness, stress, friction against the skin or sunbathing.  If you avoid these it can cut down how often you get blisters.  People with HIV are sometimes given an anti-herpes drug to take regularly to stop blisters happening.

Info from CDC and THT

Page last updated:  02/05/13