Genital herpes is one of a number of medical conditions caused by a herpes virus. Other conditions caused by these viruses include cold sores, chickenpox, shingles and mononucleosis.

Two herpes viruses can cause genital lesions:

• Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1) is usually responsible for cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth.
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2) is usually responsible for genital lesions.

Although genital herpes is almost always associated with HSV2, having genital sores does not always mean you have HSV2. HSV1 can cause genital sores, while HSV2 can cause sores around the mouth.

Symptoms of genital herpes usually begin two to 10 days after infection, but may sometimes appear later. Although signs of infection vary widely, they often include a burning sensation, pain in the buttocks or groin, and slight swelling or inflammation of the skin or mucous membrane. A day or two later, a group of small blisters appears. In a few days, the blisters will break and weep. The blisters leave behind small, painful sores that crust over and heal in one to three weeks. The sores may appear around the genitals, buttocks, urethra or bladder. In women, genital herpes may cause a vaginal discharge that is similar to vaginitis and that causes painful urination.

An initial herpes infection can be a serious illness, producing flu-like symptoms such as fever, aches and nausea.

If you think you may have herpes, see your healthcare provider. He or she can take a sample of the lesion to be tested for the herpes virus. Keep in mind, though, that you can have herpes even if the culture tests negative for the virus. Some hospitals also can perform a blood test for herpes antibodies. A blood test will not tell you if you have an active outbreak. It also will not tell you which herpes virus you have been infected with.

Herpes can be hidden for years. In some cases, the virus is not detected until a recurrence years after an initial episode too mild to be noticed.