Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is one of several sexually transmitted diseases that can complicate HIV treatment. In fact, the presence of genital herpes may increase the probability that HIV infection will occur. Let's look a little closer to genital herpes.

Incidence

• Forty-five million people or more than one in five Americans are infected with genital herpes.
• Most people are not aware they are infected.

  Proper Condom Use Can Prevent Herpes

Symptoms

• Open, painful sores in the genital area
• The sores typically take 2 to 4 weeks to heal.
• Outbreaks come and go, occuring about 4 to 5 times per year.

Treatment

• There is no treatment that cures herpes. The saying goes that "herpes is for life". However certain antiviral medications can shorten herpes outbreaks or decrease the frequency of outbreaks.
• Daily antiviral therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners.

Antiviral Medications Used to Treat Herpes

• Zovirax (acyclovir) Fact Sheet

• Valtrex (valacyclovir) Fact Sheet

Prevention

• The only way to prevent herpes infection other than abstinence from sex, is by using condoms during each oral, anal, or vaginal sexual episode.

  Condom Buying Guide