Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause blisters and skin ulcers in the genital and anal area. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-2 is the more common cause of genital herpes while HSV-1 more commonly causes sores on the face and mouth. There’s no cure for genital herpes, but medications can ease symptoms and reduce the risk of infecting others. Condoms also can help prevent the spread of genital herpes infection. Sometimes you can catch herpes when your sexual partner has no visible sores or symptoms. This is because the virus can become active on the skin without causing any visible blisters or sores. This is called “asymptomatic shedding”. Many people with the genital herpes infection have no symptoms; however, when symptoms do appear, they can include: itching, burning, soreness, and small blisters in the genital or anal area; small ulcers (skin sores) when the blisters break; local pain if urine touches the genital ulcers; enlarged or painful lymph nodes (swollen glands) in the groin; and headache, fever, muscle aches, and a generally sick feeling. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com.