There are two types of genital herpes: oral or genital. In both cases, it is a sexually transmitted viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus can be transmitted asymptomatically; in other words, the infected person may not have symptoms but can still transmit the disease to another person through sexual contact.
If symptoms do appear, they normally appear in outbreaks which can last between 2 and 10 days. The patient might notice itching, pain, tingling and/or present lesions similar to a burn, with ulcers or blisters. More outbreaks may appear if the patient has a weakened immune system due to stress, fatigue or other diseases.
This type of infection is detected with a blood test or an analysis of the lesions. If you think you might be infected, consult a professional so they can assess your situation. There is currently no cure, but there is a suppressive treatment, which will reduce both the number of outbreaks and the risk of transmitting the infection.