Genital herpes. Close-up of a penis of a 60 year old man with a blister caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV2). Genital herpes is a contag- ious vi

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Genital herpes. Close-up of a penis of a 60 year old man with a blister caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV2). Genital herpes is a contag- ious viral infection spread by sexual contact. It causes small fluid-filled blisters on the genitals and painful itching or burning sensations. The blisters usually heal within 10-21 days but the virus stays in the body for life. It may cause recurring attacks when the body's immunity is lowered (by stress or illness, for example). There is no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral drugs can reduce the severity of an attack if taken soon enough. Sex should be avoided until symptoms have passed, as the blisters are highly contagious.

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Size: 3618px × 2480px
Photo credit: © DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: blister, genital, genitals, healthcare, herpes, hsv2, male, medical, medicine, penis, sexual, simplex, std, vd, venereal