Genital Herpes

What goes wrong:

You get little red spots round your penis or vagina. These turn into little clear blisters. These then pop and leave you very sore (just like cold sores). The first time you get it, you usually feel pretty ghastly. In some people it comes back in various strengths – you might feel awful again or not notice at all.

It’s caused by

Having sex with someone who has the herpes simplex virus lurking in their body.

How not to get it

If you see someone with blisters down there, don’t have sex with them – or at least use a condom.

What to do if you do get it

Go see your doctor or local Genito-Urinary Medicine clinic and get checked out. They won’t tell anyone that you have been.

Q: What’s the difference between love and herpes?
A: Herpes lasts forever.

You can’t cure herpes. It goes away and then comes back, hiding out, in between, in your nerves. Eighty percent of women get reoccurrences. But your doctor can give you something which makes it come back less, and hurt less. Or ring the Herpes Virus Association on 0845 1232305.