 [ Symptoms ] what is the big deal can genital herpes kill you [ Disease ] genital herpes is not life threatening in and of itself but having herpes sores makes it easier for hiv the virus that causes aids to enter your body not only is there an increased risk for getting hiv if you have genital herpes but having the two diseases together may also make each one worse a pregnant woman can pass genital herpes on to her baby so it is particularly serious during pregnancy if you get infected near the end of pregnancy the risk is highest at least 30 and as many as 50 of newly infected pregnant women give the virus to their babies you may have heard that genital herpes causes cervical cancer that is not exactly true it may be a factor but it is not the main cause genital herpes is a lifelong condition for which there is no cure having it can force you to make inconvenient changes in your life particularly in your sex life and it can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort you simply would rather not have it