Genital herpes, also known as HSV 2, is a virus that causes infection and painful ulcers on a person’s genitalia. Genital herpes has no cure, so if someone once contracts genital herpes, it will stick around with them for life. Herpes causes painful sores on the skin around the genitals and rectum of a person, and is a sexually transmitted disease.

So how are herpes and condoms related? Well, the answer is obvious, of course. Condoms create a big difference in the chances of a person contracting a sexually transmitted disease from a sexual partner. Research shows that continuous use of condoms can cut down the chances of someone getting genital herpes by 30%. Condoms also help reduce the chances of contracting other sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV at a substantial rate.

Research is still being conducted at to how affective using condoms is when it comes to genital herpes. While it is true that condoms can make an enormous difference in contracting most sexually transmitted diseases, researchers are not so keen as to coming to the same conclusion when it comes to genital herpes. However, 30% is still a good difference which can affect an individual or even the greater society.

The use of condoms provides equal protection for both men and women, as far as the research can conclude. Of course, having one sexual partner also reduces the possibility of contracting herpes to a significant amount as well. Studies also show that the percentage of risk or chances of contracting genital herpes increase with the number of unprotected sexual acts an individual chooses to do.

The difference in using and not using condoms, however, is still quite large, so researchers still encourage that condoms be used continuously to keep people sage, and have a lower chance of getting genital herpes.