Herpes is a virus that lives in the body for a long time. Some people can have the virus but never have a cold sore but others get cold sores from time to time, especially when they are feeling run down and tired. Unless the person gets sores themselves they will not know they have the virus. Herpes is transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact. The kind of herpes that causes sores at a persons mouth can be transmitted by oral sex.
There is another type of herpes that can cause sores on the penis or vagina and this is spread when there is naked contact of two peoples skin in this area. Symptoms of genital herpes can come in the form of itchy or tingling skin that can develop into very red blistery skin with sores. It can be very painful to go the toilet at this time. If you notice any of these symptoms go to a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. It is easier for the doctors to treat you correctly if they can see your skin at this area and know exactly what they are treating. They will not take lots of tests at this time if the area is really very sore so don't worry.
To help relieve some of the pain it can help to pass urine in a bath of water and to take Paracetomol. Having baths with salt in the water can also help as long as the water is only luke warm and not too hot. Try not to rub the area and always wash your hands after touching the area and especially before touching your eyes etc.
Do not have sex while the sores are there - this includes oral sex. Unfortunately this virus lives in the body so can reappear over the persons life at any time. Each episode can be different and some will be worse than others. The doctor will try and treat each episode to reduce the problems it causes although the treatment will never fully take it away