Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is passed on from one person to another through sexual contact. As well, if a mother has genital lesions when giving birth, herpes can be passed down to her baby.

For the purposes of this article, I want to shed some light on some of the signs that usually come with genital herpes. It is important to note that there are no known cures for this disease, but only herpes treatments. Also, the disease is viral, meaning that it spread virally even when there are no outward manifestations of the disease.

Okay, let's get started. How do you know if you have herpes? Look for these warning signs:

* Your skin around the genitals are itchy or tingly.

* A number of blister-like sores show up around the genital areas, or any skin to skin contact area - rectum, genitals, nipples.

* These lesions and sores are fluid filled that break open and then crust over and usually last 1-3 weeks.

* When you urinate there is a burning sensation that causes discomfort.

* Your glands in the groin area are swollen and tender.

* Symptoms appear usually 2 days to 3 weeks after sexual contact with a person who has herpes, but may take weeks, months, or years to appear if the herpes is dormant.

* Flare ups of genital herpes can vary from person to person. It can be monthly for some people, yearly for others.

These symptoms can come and go. When a outbreak of lesions does occur, there are natural herpes treatments that can and will reduce the soreness of the lesions, and well as speed up the healing process.

It is also important to remember that stress, a poor diet, a lot of sun exposure, an illness, pregnancy, your menstrual cycle, can all cause the flare up of herpes.