Genital herpes is a common type of sexually transmitted disease or infection. It is more common in women than men. The infection commonly affects your genitals, which are the reproductive organs inside and outside of your body. It can also affect your buttocks, anal area, or mouth. Genital herpes is most often caused by the herpes simplex virus type two, or HSV-2. While herpes simplex virus type one, or HSV-1, may cause genital herpes as well, it more commonly infects the lips, mouth, or gums. It causes painful blisters, often referred to as cold sores. This is called oral herpes. Occasionally, HSV-2 can also cause oral herpes. You can catch the herpes virus from an infected person through close, personal contact during genital or oral sex. The virus can enter your body through a break in your skin, or through the tissue that lines many of your body cavities, including the tissue lining your mouth and genitals. Once inside the skin, the virus can multiply within your cells. This damage...