For most people genital herpes is one of the most dreadful, embarrassing and somehow common sexually transmitted diseases in the world. For purposes of discussion, let us clarify and differentiate the different kinds of herpes.

Genital Herpes

Herpes simplex is the kind of herpes that causes blisters and sores in the mouth and also genital herpes. The latter classification of herpes is one referred to as the herpes that are found around the sexual organs.

Genital herpes is coined as such due to its location or area of infection. As such, it somehow gives us an idea of how such kind of disease is being spread. Since the genitals are of vital importance and emphasis in its name, this clearly connotes that such disease can be spread through direct contact of a male or a female genital. Such is usually done when they are involved in sexual activities.

The ways and means of the virus can be spread easily. It can infect a person when the infected subject comes in contact with the body through a break in the skin or through the skin of the mouth. Certain openings in the body such as the mouth, penis, vagina, urinary tract opening, cervix or anus can be the main entrance for the virus.

The virus can be easily spread and is highly contagious when the infected person or the carrier has blisters or sores. Also, even in the absence of such blisters and sores, the herpes can still be highly contagious. Aside from contamination and infection of genital herpes to another's person's genitals, it can also be spread throughout the body. The transfer or contamination can be done from your genitals to your fingers and then from your fingers to your eyes and to many other parts of the body.

Also, genital herpes can be transferred from a mother to her child in the time and manner of birth. Once the baby passes on through the infected mother's birth canal, the baby then has been infected also.

There are different stages of development of sherpes. The primary stage usually starts from 2 to 8 days after you have been exposed to the virus or have been infected by it. The infected area of the skin starts to have a fluid build up. This may cause for a sensation of inflammation. The skin will be red and will be patterned by blisters. Aside from having blisters in your genital area, you may also feel a little pain when attempting to urinate. This would also cause some fever or flu symptoms.

The latent stage of genital herpes can further be described as a stage wherein the sores and blisters are gone. The virus is now moving from your skin down into your spinal nerves. After which, the shedding stage occurs. The virus begins replicating its self in the nerves. It then contaminates your body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids and saliva. No symptoms have been known to show during this stage. However, this is considered to be the time when the virus is most likely to infect others.