Herpes is highly contagious, so if you have the disease it’s necessary to take measures to prevent passing it on to others. Although the numbers have decreased over the past decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, one out of five adolescence and adults in the United States have had genital HSV infections.

How is Herpes Transmitted

Herpes can be transmitted when a person comes into contact with infected saliva, lesions or fluid from lesions through kissing and sexual contact. Pregnant mothers who are infected with herpes can also pass the infection on to their newborns during childbirth.

Types and Symptoms of Herpes

There are two strains of herpes—herpes simplex virus type-1(HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2). Herpes simplex-1 causes outbreaks on the lips, around the mouth and on the face. Herpes simplex-1 can also cause lesions inside of the mouth, cold sores, and infections of the watch, which in rare cases can lead to blindness.

Herpes simplex-2 is more current in women than men. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every four women and one out of every eight men have herpes simplex-2 infections. Symptoms include sores on the genitals or buttocks.

Most people with herpes simplex-2 never know they have the virus because they either experience very mild outbreaks or no outbreaks at all. In rare cases, the herpes virus can lead to complications such as encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.

How is the Herpes Virus Diagnoses and Treated

The herpes virus is usually diagnosed by an inspection of the lesions by a doctor. But a blood test, a culture of the lesions or a direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test can be conventional to diagnose herpes infections, as well.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for herpes; once you contract the virus, you’re stuck with it for life. There are, however, antiviral drugs such as Zovirax, Famvir, and Valtrex that can manage the frequency and severity of the outbreaks.

How to Prevent Contracting Herpes

Safer sex practices such as using condoms and dental dams can reduce your risk of contracting herpes. However, the only way to prevent the spread of the disease is by practicing abstinence.