Genital herpes. Close-up of a penis with a blister (centre) caused by the herpes simplex virus. Geni- tal herpes is a contagious viral infection sprea

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Genital herpes. Close-up of a penis with a blister (centre) caused by the herpes simplex virus. Geni- tal herpes is a contagious viral infection spread by sexual contact. The disease 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, sometimes causing recurrent 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 can burst and pass the virus on.

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Photo credit: © DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: blister, blisters, genital, genitals, healthcare, herpes, male, medical, medicine, penis, sexual, simplex, std, vd, venereal