Genital herpes such as vaginal herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) which is from the same family of viruses that cause cold sores. Cold sores are generally caused by a type of Herpes Simplex Virus called Herpes Simplex Virus 1, and genital herpes such as vaginal herpes is usually caused by Herpes Simplex Virus 2. However, both types of herpes viruses can infect the genital areas, causing painful herpes sores and genital herpes or vaginal herpes.

There is no cure for genital herpes or vaginal herpes and often people will have recurring herpes outbreaks. During these herpes outbreaks the infected person will have sores and symptoms caused by herpes for a while, then the herpes virus will go into a dormant stage and the person will have no herpes symptoms again until the next herpes outbreak.

The number of herpes outbreaks and the amount of time between herpes outbreaks varies from person to person. Some people may have the herpes outbreaks frequently and others may have only one or two herpes outbreaks. It is still possible to transmit the herpes virus during the herpes dormant stages when a person has no symptoms of herpes.

There is no cure for herpes, but effective herpes treatments for herpes outbreaks do exist. To be effective these herpes treatments must be started immediately after herpes symptoms appear. Outbreaks of herpes sores may appear again and again throughout a person’s life. Medication can be taken to make these herpes outbreaks less common, and to treat the herpes sores themselves. Like these ways below:
1.)    Wear loose clothing during outbreaks of herpes
2.)    Drinking large amounts of fluids will decrease pain during urination, and urinating in the bath may be less painful during herpes attacks
3.)    Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch an infected area, and in particular, do not rub your eyes or touch your mouth after touching infected skin during herpes attacks
4.)    Avoid further infection during herpes attacks by keeping the infected area clean and dry. When drying actively infected areas, use a hair dryer or lightly pat the area dry
5.)    Epson salts in bath water can help clean and dry out herpes infected areas
6.)    Wash bath towels before reusing and wash underclothing frequently to avoid herpes
7.)    A healthy lifestyle including proper diet, adequate rest and low stress levels can improve your immune system, and reduce the likelihood of herpes outbreaks
8.)    If you think you have herpes, see a doctor immediately. Medication is available to help treat herpes infected areas and to reduce the pain of sores caused by herpes. This medication may be prescribed for herpes outbreaks as they happen, or it may be taken regularly to suppress the herpes virus and lower the chance of having herpes outbreak.

Though there is no cure for genital herpes or vaginal herpes, frequency and severity of herpes infections can be partially managed with medication for herpes. By themselves, Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 are generally not considered a serious health risk. However, in very rare cases, the Herpes Simplex Virus can cause serious illness. Herpes infected pregnant women can pass the herpes virus to infants during birth, causing lesions and possibly life-threatening infections of the central nervous system of the baby. In a very small number of cases herpes simplex virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis and herpes infection of the eye can cause scarring of the cornea and even blindness.

Because herpes viruses from vaginal herpes or genital herpes can cause sores on the penis or inside the vagina, it also increases the risk of transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes is a very serious disease. People affected with herpes, especially with vaginal herpes or genital herpes must consult doctors immediately at the sight of it. It is also important for herpes infected people to get support from their friends and family as well.

Herpes is an infection that is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes disease. The first herpes type is oral herpes which is commonly caused by herpes simplex type 1 and the second type of herpes is genital herpes which is commonly caused by herpes simplex type 2. Oral herpes causes herpes cold sores around the mouth or face. Genital herpes on the other hand affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can get it from having sex, even oral sex. The herpes virus can spread even when herpes sores are not present. Mothers can also infect their babies with herpes virus during childbirth.

Some people have no herpes symptoms. Others get herpes sores near the area where the herpes virus has entered the body. They turn into herpes blisters, become itchy and painful, and then heal. The herpes virus can be dangerous in newborn babies or in people with weak immune systems.

Most people have herpes outbreaks several times a year. Over time, you get herpes outbreaks less often. Medicines to help your body fight the herpes virus can help lessen herpes symptoms and decrease herpes outbreaks. Correct usage of latex condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading herpes.

However herpes is not an easily identifiable sexually transmitted disease. Herpes can actually be confused with some other medical conditions. Listed below are some conditions that are sometimes mistaken for herpes:
Condition Confused with Herpes #1: Canker sores – (aphthous ulcers), this usually occurs inside the mouth and are gray with a distinct edge, and usually heals within 10 to 14 days without treatment. Canker sores are not a form of oral herpes but it is often confused and mistaken for herpes. This medical condition is not considered to be contagious unlike herpes cold sores and mouth herpes which are caused by the herpes simplex virus and can be very contagious.
Condition Confused with Herpes #2: Bacterial or yeast infections is another type of medical condition that is sometimes confused with genital herpes,  but do not usually produce blistering like herpes.
Condition Confused with Herpes #3: Impetigo is a highly infectious bacterial disease that can also be confused with herpes sometimes. This disease is more common among children often producing crusty blisters, which is one of the symptoms of herpes.
Condition Confused with Herpes #4: Syphilis, a bacterial infection, causes chancres sometimes mistaken for blisters caused by genital herpes. Unlike genital herpes though, Syphilis does not usually produce a cluster of blisters, and it usually responds well to antibiotics.
Condition Confused with Herpes #5: Molluscum contagiosum (molluscum) – like herpes, molluscum is a viral infection of the skin. Unlike herpes however, molluscum produces lesions that are raised, with a central dimple.
Condition Confused with Herpes #6: Genital Warts
Genital warts are another medical condition that can be confused with herpes. Unlike herpes though, this disease causes growth of skin-colored, cauliflower-like masses of various sizes and shapes. Symptoms may occur several weeks and even months after being exposed to the human papilloma virus (HPV) and include itching or burning around the genitals and painless growths in either sex, usually on damp or moist surfaces of the body.

For a better idea of what herpes is and how to recognize the herpes virus it is always advisable that you research the symptoms of herpes virus, and view and compare herpes pictures to have a clear idea of what a herpes infection is.
If you think that you may have a sexually transmitted disease you can visit the Sexually Transmitted Disease Resource Center for information, pictures and support relating to all the most common STDs.
If you suspect that you may have genital herpes, an infection caused by the herpes virus or another STD please contact your local health care provider for a professional diagnosis.

Mistaken Symptoms of Herpes

There are symptoms of other diseases that can be mistaken for herpes outbreaks such as insect bites, jock itch, abrasions, razor burn, yeast infections, haemorrhoids and ingrown hair follicles.
Should any of these symptoms occur, consult your doctor or other healthcare provider immediately. Genital herpes should be diagnosed and treated professionally.