2. Definition
Genital herpes is one of the
most common sexually
transmitted diseases in the
world. Although it’s not
deadly, it has no cure and it
can be very difficult to
notice. At least 45 million
Americans over the age of
twelve get this disease.
That’s one out of every five
teens and adults in the
United States. Also that
number may be much higher
since many people don’t
even realize that they are
infected with this STD.
3. Symptoms
• Herpes simplex types 1 and 2 (HHV1 and HHV2) cause
cold sores and genital herpes. While herpes zoster or
varicella-zoster virus (HHV3) causes chickenpox and
shingles. HHV4, also known as Epstein-Barr virus,
causes infectious mononucleosis. An option of this virus
has also been concerned in a rare type of lymphoma.
Cytomegalovirus (HHV5) causes a wide variety of health
problems, including serious illness in newborn babies, an
illness that strongly resembles catching mononucleosis.
Roseola, is one of the many rash-and-fever diseases of
childhood, is caused by HHV6. HHV7 is associated with
seizures and encephalitis, while HHV8 is associated with
Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphomas.
4. Caused By
• Teenagers represent the fastest-growing group of people
with genital herpes. This may occur because, even
though the disease is so common, there are many myths
about how it spreads and who can get it. Anyone who is
sexually active is at risk. Whether you have had a
number of sexual relationships or just fooled around with
someone, all it takes is one contact with the herpes virus
to catch the disease for life. Caused by a Virus
6. Treat
• The best treatment for herpes infections is
prevention. HHV1 is spread in air droplets, so
covering coughs and sneezes is important.
Direct contact with the fluid from the blisters or
ulcers can also pass HHV1 or HHV2 from one
person to another. Once the blisters have dried
up or crusted over, they are less contagious.
Some people with herpes shed low levels of the
virus even when they have no blisters. They may
not even know they have the infection.
7. Journal #21
• Describe what you know about your
assigned STD and about STDs in general.
• What I know about Genital Herpes is that the first sign that you
would get is you start to get warts on your genital. Once you’ve seen
the first sign; its better to go see a doctor. Herpes is when a partner
had Herpes already and you still had sex unprotected you will get
the same thing your partner had. Maybe even worse or just as bad.
