Now don't confuse this sexually transmitted disease with herpes simplex 1. Herpes simplex 1 are facial cold sores. The strain of herpes complex type 2 (HVP) is a sexually transmitted disease of the genitals, and is transmitted by direct skin contact.
So what is it?It is a viral infection that is spread through sexual contact. Unfortunately this is not an infection that can be protected by condoms (although they may reduce the likelihood). This is because the sores can develop at the base of the penis or at the outer labia and condoms do not always protect this area as they only cover the penis.
If you have been in contact with this virus the incubation period can take from a few days to two weeks for the first episode to occur. Once the sores have disappeared, another episode may take weeks, months or years to re-occur. This is because the virus is latent, which means that it still silently remains in the cells in the infected area, but produces no symptoms. The virus is more likely to come back if the infected person is immuno-compromised (such as being on anti-cancer drugs, or if HIV positive), or if the person is just run down (e.g. has the flu). Other precipitators are sunlight, trauma to the infected area, fever, and emotional stress, along with other factors.
What are the symptoms?