Can genital herpes cause infertility?

Genital herpes may cause infertility. It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Typical symptoms include vesicles and papules in the genital area, accompanied by marked pruritus; rupture of the small vesicles may also cause pain. The disease is highly contagious. If the infection is severe and not treated promptly, it may spread to the epididymis, leading to acute epididymitis, which can impair male fertility.