272 STIs and Other Infections of the Genitals
➤ A person
with HIV can get
herpes infections
all over the body
that take much
longer to go away.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is an STI caused by a virus. It produces
sores on the genitals or in the mouth that come and go for
months or years. There is no cure for herpes, but there is
treatment to make you feel better.
Not all herpes sores on the mouth are spread by sex.
Children and adults often get sores on their mouths caused
by a different herpes virus when they have a cold or fever.
Signs:
• a tingling, itching, or
hurting feeling of the
skin in the genital area
or thighs
• small blisters that burst
and form painful, open
sores on the genitals
The first time you get herpes sores, they can last for 3
weeks or more. You can have fever, headache, body ache,
chills, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin. The next
infection will be milder.
Pregnancy and herpes. A pregnant
woman who is infected with herpes
for the first time and has sores at the
time of the birth can pass the disease
on to her baby. This can cause
dangerous problems for the baby. Try
to give birth in a hospital. They may
be able to do an operation to get
the baby out, or give the baby special
medicines when it is born.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012