Genital Herpes At A Glance

• There is no "safe" sex.
  
• Condoms do not necessarily prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
  
• Genital herpes is a viral infection that can cause painful genital sores and causes recurrent outbreaks.
  
  
• Many people are infected with herpes virus and are now aware of the infection.
  
  
• The herpes virus is spread by direct person-to-person contact.
  
  
• An infected person may transmit the virus to others even if no symptoms are present.
  
  
• There is no cure for genital herpes, but viral shedding and outbreaks can be reduced with antiviral medications.