Description

This “In the Know” pamphlet provides a comprehensive summary of genital herpes. Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that any sexually active person can get. Most people with the virus don’t have symptoms. It afflicts some 45 million Americans, with one new case added every minute. There are two strains of herpes simplex virus. The brochure describes how herpes is transmitted as well as listing the symptoms. You can get herpes from a sex partner who does not have a visible sore or who may not know he or she is infected.

Readers learn how the symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak can be treated, but the virus remains in the system permanently. Frequent symptomatic flare ups are inevitable. The disease can be transmitted by unprotected sexual contact, even between outbreaks. Using condoms may help lower this risk but it will not get rid of the risk completely. As preventive measures, abstain from sex or have a strictly monogamous relationship with a single uninfected partner. Additionally, readers seeking more information are referred to the “In the Know Zone” website and to the National STD hotline.

To see a full PDF version of this pamphlet, click the Instant Preview tab above.

This brochure is also available in Spanish.

If you like this genital herpes pamphlet, then check out more of our STD and STIs Sex Education materials here.

For more pamphlet topics, click here.