2. 它由什麼所引起？
生殖器皰疹通常由單純皰疹II型病毒（Herpes Simplex Virus type II，HSV-II) 所引起。病毒逐漸流行的發展趨勢是，單純皰疹I型病毒（Herpes Simplex Virus type I，HSV-I) 也能致病。現今所知道的I型病毒不同的致病特點是：在口腔周圍引起唇皰疹（cold sores - oral herpes）。

3. 它如何傳播？
皰疹病毒能夠通過與皰疹病灶或水皰的任何接觸被傳染，甚至與似乎健康的皮膚接觸也被傳染。事實上，許多感染者無肉眼可見的皰疹病灶出現，而且他們也沒有意識到自己感染了傳染病。這些“無形殺手們”在自己不知情的情況下散發著病毒。依據性接觸的方式不同，病毒可能感染口腔、陰莖、陰囊、陰戶、大腿內側和肛門極其周圍部位。病毒也能夠通過僅僅接觸皰疹病灶，然後再通過接觸眼、口唇以及身體其他部位而受到感染（既通過手接觸病灶，然後用手接觸身體其他部位的間接感染——譯者注）。幸運的是，因為皰疹病毒在人體外生存時間不長，它不能通過毛巾、床單、衣服、衛生間座便器等物體傳播。可是，母親在懷孕和分娩期間能將病毒傳染給胎兒或新生兒。

1. What is it?
Genital herpes is a viral infection causing painful blisters. It can be transmitted by sexual contact and thus can affect the sex organs (genitals), the rectum, and the skin around it.

2. What causes it?
Genital herpes is usually caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2). Increasingly, it is also caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) which is otherwise known for producing cold sores around the mouth (oral herpes). Oral intercourse can transmit both types of viruses.

3. How is it transmitted?
The herpes virus can be transmitted through any contact with herpes sores or blisters and even through contact with apparently healthy skin. In fact, many infected people have no visible sores and are unaware of their infection. These “shedders” shed the virus without knowing it. Depending on the form of sexual contact, the virus may affect the mouth, the penis, the scrotum, the vulva, the inner thighs, and the anus with its surrounding areas. The virus can also be spread by simply touching the herpes sores and then touching and infecting the eyes, the lips, and other  parts of the body. Fortunately, since the virus cannot survive very long outside the body, it can not be transmitted through towels,bed sheets, clothing, toilet seats, etc. However, a mother can pass the virus onto her baby during pregnancy or at birth.