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Genital herpes is a highly contagious infection that is caused by a virus. Genital herpes causes fluid-filled blisters or sores on the skin on or around the vagina or penis. The infection can also cause blisters on the anal opening, on the buttocks or thighs, inside the vagina on the cervix, or in the urinary tract of women and men.

The infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two different types of HSV:

  • Herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1)
  • Herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2)

HSV-2 is usually the cause of genital herpes. But, it can also be caused by HSV-1. HSV-1 is the virus that is associated with