The symptoms of chlamydia are usually pain or burning upon urination and itching of the urethra. It is difficult to culture the chlamydia organism, so diagnosis is made by ruling out other possible causes. Herpes Herpes is caused by one of two viruses that enters the body through the thin skin of the genitals, anus, mouth, or lips, and takes up residence inside nerve cells. The drug acyclovir can greatly reduce the duration and frequency of herpes outbreaks. Persons with active herpes lesions can infect others, however, so they should not have sex until the skin has completely healed.
Death usually occurs within months or years after the diagnosis.
The virus is transmitted by intimate, unprotected, sexual intercourse or the sharing of needles. Short of abstinence, condoms with a spermicide offer the best protection.