So you've got some 'funny business' going on downstairs. It might be some bumps, a rash, a burning sensation when urinating or some sort of discharge, or it could be something different entirely. Whatever the reason, you're asking yourself that scary question: "Do I have Genital Herpes?"

The first thing is to clear up some of the myths surrounding Genital Herpes. It's a very common condition, with around 1 in 5 people carrying the virus. Most people will have no symptoms at all, or very light symptoms. It does not make you dirty, it does not mean you can never have sex again, and it is definitely nothing to be ashamed of. It's a virus like any other, and while you can never get rid of it completely, you can control the symptoms, stop the outbreaks and reduce the risk of transmission quite easily through treatment, diet and lifestyle.

First signs many experience are things like a tingling or burning sensation when urinating, discharge from the penis or vagina, or a red rash or tenderness in the genital area. If you are experiencing any of these, you should get checked out by a doctor, regardless if you think it might be herpes.

You may also experience symptoms similar to a cold or flu. These can include fever, headache, aching muscles or tiredness. Another common indicator is a swelling or tenderness of the glands in the groin (the lymph nodes) which you may notice due to pressure from your clothes or underwear, or when moving from a sitting to standing position, or vise versa.

The above are really good reasons to get to the doctor ASAP, because they can also be symptoms of a variety of other STDs. However, if you are asking "Do I have Genital Herpes", you are most likely experiencing the classic symptoms. These symptoms are the appearance of painful blisters on or around the genital area. These blisters can be large or small, can be numerous or low in number, and are often painful and uncomfortable.

The conclusion is if you have to ask "Do I have Genital Herpes", then it's most likely you've got a reason to be checked out by a doctor, regardless of whether it turns out to be herpes or not! Sexual health is nothing to be trifled with, and there's no reason to be scared or embarrassed, doctors also know that Genital Herpes is an overblown and exaggerated disease, and will not make you feel persecuted, distressed or promiscuous. Please get examined without delay, and you'll find that with proper treatment you'll be able to get on with your life and genital herpes will go from 'That Big Scary STD' to a minimal annoyance at worst, or no problem at all at the best.