Third Question Assignment – Herpes

1. What causes herpes? Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the herpes simplex viruses’ type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Herpes simplex viruses spread from person to person through close contact.

2. How is genital herpes transmitted?
Infections are transmitted through contact with lesions, genital secretion, or mucosal surfaces. Most people get genital herpes from HSV-2, which they can get during sexual contact with someone who already has genital HSV-2 infection. If someone has a cold sore and performs oral sex, this can spread HSV-1 to the genitals and cause herpes sores on the genitals. Transmission most commonly occurs from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he/she is infected. In addition, herpes infection can be passed from mother to child during childbirth – resulting in a potentially fatal infection.

3. How long is a person with herpes contagious? It is difficult to say how long herpes is contagious for. While it is more commonly spread while the infected person is having an outbreak, it is not always the case. One can be contagious without showing any symptoms or signs of visible sores. According to Herpesonline.org, typically in the first year of infection with HSV-2 virus, one will shed about 6-10% of those days when there are no symptoms & will decrease over time.

4. How can a person with genital herpes prevent transmission? Persons