Many people don't have any symptoms and are carriers of the virus, spreading it without knowing so. When symptoms do show up they look like multiple tiny blisters on a red background that last up to 1 week and as time goes by the blisters join together. Sufferers get a painful, usually recurrent genital and groin rash with blisters, often preceded by itching or burning or tingling in that area. An initial episode occurs 2-12 days after exposure and is the most severe, occasionally accompanied by fever and swollen lymph nodes surrounding that area. Headache or muscle aches may also occur. If the sores develop inside the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) or the vagina, there may be pain when urinating or vaginal discharge. Sores crust over and disappear in 2 to 3 weeks.

Recurrent episodes are often less severe. Having around 4 outbreaks a year is typical. Outbreaks tend to become less frequent and less severe over time. If not, medication taken regularly can block outbreaks from happening.

1. What is Herpes? Why do some people believe it's spread by sex, and some don't? What's the difference between Genital Herpes and Herpes Simplex? What's the difference between HSV1 and HSV2?
2. What does genital herpes HSV2 look like and feel like?
3. How can you get HSV2 Genital Herpes? Can condoms protect me completely from Genital Herpes HSV2? What behaviors put me at more risk of getting HSV2 Genital Herpes? Are newborns at greater risk of getting HSV2 genital herpes?
4. How can I find out if I have Genital Herpes HSV2? What tests are used to find out if I have Genital Herpes HSV2? Where can I go to get tested to see if I have Genital Herpes HSV2?
5. What are other diseases that look like Genital Herpes HSV2? What are the other possible reasons for this genital rash that I just found?
6. How contagious am I with an outbreak of genital herpes HSV2? How long can I spread genital herpes HSV2 with an active genital rash?
7. What can I expect in the future with this rash? How often am I going to get this rash recur?
8. When should I think about seeking care?
9. What are the available treatments for Genital Herpes HSV2? How do you treat genital herpes?