Currently, over 30 million Americans have the herpes virus. Occasionally, when a person first gets an outbreak they may get fever, aches, swollen glands in the groin, and women may develop a vaginal discharge. Although not a life-threatening disease to healthy adults, it can cause severe complications in the elderly, immunocompromised, and in newborns who may develop neurological problems, seizures, and death.
People get herpes from vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, and extremely close contact.
Gays, lesbians, and heterosexuals can get it. It is contact that is necessary, actual intercourse is not required. Occasionally, people get genital herpes when their genitalia comes in contact with hepetic blisters and sores on their partner s mouth which are commonly called cold sores. It is important to understand that many of these blisters and sores are not always easily seen, especially in women who may have them inside their vagina, and that rarely people can get genital herpes from a partner who did not have any blisters or sores. The best prevention for herpes is abstinence or a manogamous relationship with someone you trust.