Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause painful sores and blisters on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. Herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. There is no cure for herpes, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms.
One of the most important things that people with herpes can do is to avoid spreading the virus to others. This can be done by: