Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs Genital herpesUpdated: 2017-06-13OverviewGenital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection marked by genital pain and sores. Men and women can be infected.SymptomsPain, itching, and small sores appear first. They form ulcers and scabs. After initial infection, genital herpes lies dormant in the body. Symptoms can recur for years.TreatmentsMedications can be used to manage outbreaks. © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use