Herpes simplex is a viral infection. Herpes simplex is very common. The most common is Type 1 which is spread by casual contact and often within families. It's estimated that up to 90% of the US population carries HSV 1 which is seen mostly around the mouth (although through oral contact can travel to genitals- this is less common).

Genital Herpes HSV 2 is different and although HSV 2 is also very common, it is less so than HSV1. HSV 2 is passed by direct contact with an open sore, so genital, oral, anal and hand areas can be infected by this direct contact. After infection with HSV there is no cure, and the virus crops up and returns when your body is under stress, travelling along the same path of nerves back to make another rash appear.

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?