Herpes: Know the Symptoms and How to Prevent It

What is Herpes?

Herpes is a viral infection that causes painful, fluid-filled blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. There are two main types of herpes virus: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is the most common type of herpes and causes oral herpes, also known as cold sores. HSV-2 causes genital herpes.

Symptoms of Herpes

Symptoms of herpes can vary depending on the type of virus. HSV-1 typically causes cold sores on the lips, mouth, and face. HSV-2 causes genital herpes, which can cause blisters on the genitals, rectum, and thighs.

How to Prevent Herpes

There is no cure for herpes, but there are ways to reduce your risk of getting it. The most important way to prevent herpes is to avoid contact with infected people. If you have herpes, you should avoid touching the blisters and wash your hands frequently to prevent spreading the infection to others.