What Is the Cure for Herpes?
Herpes is a virus transmitted through contact with an infected party. It can be transmitted by skin to skin contact or by sexual intercourse. Herpes Type I is a very common virus, present in 100% of children under age 5 in some countries. Herpes Type I can cause genital herpes as well, but generally genital herpes is caused by Herpes Type II. There are no cures for either Herpes I or Herpes II, but there are treatments to help manage symptoms and pain associated with outbreaks.
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Diagnosis
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Herpes is easiest to diagnose when herpes sores are present, so you should go to your doctor immediately if you notice anything unusual such as sores or blisters. Herpes can also spread when there are no symptoms, so it is possible to have herpes and not know it. The Center for Disease Control suggests herpes is very prevalent- one in five Americans (or over 45 million Americans 12 and older) is estimated to have genital herpes.
Stages
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There are three stages of herpes, and the treatment depends on the stage of the virus. The first stage is the primary stage. This is the stage where symptoms occur. It usually begins between two and seven days after infection, but can begin much later than that. Symptoms during this stage include small, in some cases unseen, blisters which often break and become open sores.
The latent stage follows the primary stage. During this phase, there are no symptoms because the virus is moving from the skin to nerves by the spinal cord. The shedding stage begins when the nerves reach the spinal cord, and during this period the virus multiplies in the body and becomes present in bodily fluids, including vaginal fluids, semen and saliva.
Often, herpes outbreaks reoccur many times, since the virus is not curable once you have developed it.
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Cures
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Herpes itself can't be cured. The virus remains in your body. Treatment focuses on minimizing symptoms associated with outbreaks, preventing recurrences of the virus that cause the outbreaks to occur, and avoiding spreading the virus to others.
Treatments
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Medications may be prescribed to aid in management of symptoms, prevent outbreaks, and help prevent the spread of the virus. These medications do not cure herpes, but can effectively manage the symptoms in many patients. Acyclovir is given in pill form in between outbreaks, and in cream form during a recurrence to lessen the pain and shorten the life cycle of the blisters. Famciclovir and valacyclovir help to prevent the spread of the virus and limit the number of recurrences that occur.
Curing Herpes Pain
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Because herpes can't be cured and the drugs are not 100% effective at eliminating outbreaks, managing pain associated with outbreaks is an important part of treating herpes. Pain management generally involves NSAIDs- non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications sold over the counter. Lukewarm baths and lukewarm compresses applied to the blisters may also be helpful. Wearing loose-fitting clothing and keeping the area clean and dry are also important.
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