Genital herpes is caused by the Herpes simplex virus, type 2 (HSV-2). Genital herpes is a chronic, recurring sexually transmitted disease and can be located on the vaginal, anal or oral parts of the body. The disease manifests with painful skin and mucosal lesions that include bumps, pimples, erosions and/or crusts in and around the genitals. A person can be infected with herpes through direct contact with these lesions. Once infected with HSV-2, you the infection is present for the whole life. An HSV infection has the ability to remain hidden in the local sensitive nerves and can cause repeated lesions whenever the immune system becomes weak. Recurrent lesions are treated with acyclovir. Acyclovir can’t prevent recurrence but treats the local area when a lesion pops up. If a person experiences herpes recurrence very frequently, a vaccine against HSV-2 can be used. Such vaccine can be also used by uninfected people whose sexual partners have tested positive for the genital HSV-2-infection.
Both, you and your partner can consult a dermatovenerologist for more information and treatment options.