Both forms of herpes may be sexually transmitted. Herpes is a virus that may be transmitted through touching, kissing, vaginal, oral and anal sexual contact. Herpes is most contagious when the sores it causes are present on the body. Some people can be contagious even when symptoms are not present. The first outbreak is usually the most severe.
Sores usually heal in two to three weeks, although the virus is still in the body.
Diagnosis and treatment Herpes can be diagnosed through a combination of a pap smear, visual examination and viral tissue culture. There is no known cure for herpes, but there is anti-viral medication available that may relieve discomfort and speed the healing of sores. It also might be helpful to consult your health care provider about ways to strengthen your immune system. During pregnancy, the presence of sores can cause problems with delivery and may effect the newborn baby. In addition, other existing health problems may make the herpes infection worse.