Living With Herpes Simplex
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Initial Reaction
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The immediate shock of a herpes simplex diagnosis can be psychologically traumatizing. In fact, some would say the greatest challenge to living with herpes is mental---overcoming negative feelings. HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes, is not a punishment or judgment for immoral activities. But it is a sexually transmitted disease that will affect the way you live and interact with intimate partners. Understanding the reality of the condition in those early days is important to prevent despair or destructive behavior. Though you should always tell your sexual partners about your condition before engaging in sexual activity, most people will never know you're infected. One in six adults has herpes simplex, but there's no way to tell superficially. And, even though recurrent outbreaks are probably inevitable, they usually get more manageable with time, and there may be periods where you're completely asymptomatic. There are even drugs you can take to help suppress outbreaks and reduce the chance of spreading the virus. Nevertheless, not having any visible herpes sores doesn't mean you can't still pass it on, so there are certain precautions you should take.
Daily Responsibilities
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Herpes simplex is spread by physical contact. Luckily, the virus can't live more than a few seconds away from the human body, so it doesn't spread through doorknobs or toilet seats. Even when there are no visible sores, there's still a chance the virus can be spread by an infected individual, especially through the transmission of body fluids. This means a condom should always be used during sex. You should also strive to be as hygienic as possible, showering once or twice daily and wearing clean clothes. During an outbreak this will be even more important because the sores themselves are especially contagious. It is even possible for a woman to contract genital herpes from receiving oral sex from someone with open sores in their mouth. The typical cycle of an outbreak is the emergence of a rash that becomes a cluster of small blisters that break open and become sores that crust and eventually heal---a process that can last several days. The blisters and sores should be washed frequently with a separate washcloth and otherwise kept as dry as possible. Minimizing sexual contact during these periods, and being as cautious as possible, is suggested.
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Treatments
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While there is no cure for viral infections like herpes simplex, there are pharmaceutical treatments that reduce symptoms and transmission of the disease. Some people living with herpes simplex choose to only take medication when they have outbreaks to help relieve the symptoms. If the outbreaks are frequent, a doctor can prescribe suppressive anti-viral medication that will actually help prevent symptoms. The most widely used of these anti-viral drugs are Acyclovir, Valtrex and Famvir. These drugs have very mild, if any, side effects. There are also some herbal and natural remedies that might be effective. In at least one study, subjects using an ointment containing propolis saw their genital herpes sores heal more quickly than those using pharmaceutical treatment. Researchers have also found the herb Prunella vulgaris, and an edible mushroom, Rozites caperata, can suppress herpes outbreaks. There is wide belief that persistently high stress levels can trigger outbreaks, which is one reason why they are believed to become less frequent over time as an individual ages. Thus, maintaining a holistic and well-grounded approach from the outset can dramatically improve your quality of life.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Peter Drier
