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Is There A Cure For Genital Herpes?

How common is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a common, highly infectious disease. It is transmitted from one person to another during sexual activity. Genital herpes causes blisters or groups of small ulcers (open sores) on and around the genitals in both men and women. It cannot be cured, only controlled. Genital herpes is extremely widespread, largely because it is so contagious. Carriers can transmit the disease without having any symptoms themselves of active infection.

As many as 50 million Americans are infected with genital herpes, with 1 million new infections each year. As many as 80-90% of those infected fail to recognize herpes symptoms or have no symptoms at all.
The highest rates of infection are seen among the poor, those with less education, those using cocaine, and those with many sexual partners.

What causes herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Most genital herpes infections are caused by HSV-2. HSV-1 is the usual cause of what most people call fever blisters in and around the mouth and can be transmitted from person to person through kissing. Less often, HSV-1 can cause genital herpes infections through oral sexual contact. The genital sores caused by either virus look the same.

Genital herpes is spread by direct contact with an infected person. Sexual intercourse and oral sex are the most common methods of spreading genital herpes. Any type of skin-to-skin contact, however, is capable of spreading herpes.

Once a person becomes infected, Herpes Simplex Virus lies dormant in the body, waiting for just the right conditions to become active again. There can be many triggers which activate the virus, such as eating arginine-rich foods (like chocolate, cola, beer, seeds and nuts); the onset of a cold or fever; sunburn; the menses cycle or any physical or emotional event that introduces stress to the body. Each person has different triggers, but all herpes sufferers have one thing in common; they worry about the next outbreak which adds even more stress and just feeds the vicious cycle and makes it worse!

What does herpes look like?

Signs of herpes tend to develop within 3-7 days of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Herpes infections look like small blisters or ulcers (round areas of broken skin) on the genitals. Each blister or ulcer is typically only 1-3 millimeters in size, and the blisters or ulcers tend to be grouped into crops. Usually the blisters form first then soon open to form ulcers. Herpes infections may be painless or slightly tender. In some people, however, the blisters or ulcers can be very tender and painful.
Location

In men, herpes sores (lesions) usually appear on or around the penis

In women, the lesions may be visible outside the vagina but they commonly occur inside the vagina where they can cause discomfort or vaginal discharge but cannot be seen except during a doctors examination.

The ulcers or blisters may also be found anywhere around the genitals (the perineum) and in and around the anus.

Some of the symptoms caused by Herpes Simplex Virus:
Swelling
Burning
Inflammation
Stinging
Itching
Pain and ache

Is there a cure for herpes?

There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks for whatever period of time the person takes the medication.

How can people protect themselves against infection?

The consistent and correct use of latex condoms is the best protection. However, condoms do not provide complete protection, because a herpes lesion may not be covered by the condom and viral shedding may occur. If you or your partner has genital herpes, it is best to abstain from sex when symptoms are present, and to use latex condoms between outbreaks.

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