Herpes
What is herpes?
Herpes simplex is a viral infection which attacks the nervous system. It is from the same unpleasant viral family which gives us chicken pox and shingles. Herpes simplex type 1 is associated with painful cold sores around the mouth and nose but can be passed to genitals from mouth via oral sex. Herpes type 2 is associated with painful sores in the genital and anal parts of your body. Herpes simplex type 2 can easily be passed onto the mouth through contact with the genitals, for example during oral sex. The herpes simplex virus lives in your body forever and usually attacks you when you are feeling stressed or ill.
What are the symptoms?
The herpes simplex virus is pretty tricky to detect because there aren't many external symptoms. Here are four symptoms to look out for.
- Stinging, itching or tingling in the mouth or genital/anal area.
- Flu symptoms, high temperature, head and back aches.
- Pain in the thighs, legs or in the groin.
- Small blisters which have a clear fluid inside them, which if they burst, leave painful red ulcers.
How do you catch it?
You can pass the herpes simplex virus between mouth and genitals by having unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex with an infected partner, touching a partner's infected mouth, penis, vagina or anus and then touching your own mouth or genitals.
Herpes virus once in your body never goes away completely. The signs may go but the virus remains and can flare up any time you are a bit run down. You can get frequent attacks and even though you are not showing any symptoms if you have already had an outbreak of the virus you can still pass it on to your partner. Ointments and creams are available to help relieve the pain caused by the blisters.
How can I protect myself?
Condoms are the best way to protect yourself from the herpes simplex virus which, like HIV, is with you for life once you catch it.
Many people carrying the virus probably don't even know they have it, so you can't trust your partner to know for sure. Your best bet for avoiding herpes simplex is to play safe and always use a condom.