Herpes Cure: Can I Get Rid of Herpes?

Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection commonly caused by Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2). Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) is associated with oral Herpes – cold sores – usually caught during childhood.

A study has shown that HSV-1 is growing as a sexually transmitted infection – with evidence to show that HSV-1 is surpassing HSV-2 for causing cases of genital Herpes.

“This is an intriguing transition for an infection known historically only as an oral infection. It remains to be seen whether this transition is also happening in other parts of the world.”
Lara Khadr, research intern at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar and joint first author of the study

There is no cure for either HSV-1 or HSV-2. Infection with either type of the virus is lifelong. However, the virus can remain inactive until moments of illness or if your immune system has been weakened.

“What lies behind this trend has not yet been conclusively determined, however increasing numbers of people engaging in oral sex is certainly contributing to the rising rates of genital HSV-1 infections.”
Mike Asher, CEO and Chairman of Better2Know

There are a variety of treatments available to help you manage your condition. You can get oral antiviral medication which can help reduce the frequency and severity of your Herpes outbreaks. You can also get creams that will help with your blisters during an active outbreak.

A survey conducted by the International Herpes Management Forum (IHMF) revealed that the treatment for Herpes was amongst the three major concerns for patients who tested positive. People were also concerned about the impact on their sex or love life and how easy it would be to pass Herpes on to other people.

Can I still have sex?

Yes, with proper management, you can still have sex without passing on the infection to your partner. If you are experiencing any symptoms of Herpes, no matter the region, you should not have any sexual contact to prevent passing on the virus to other people.

The correct and consistent use of condoms will help reduce the possibility of Herpes transmission. However, condoms can only provide a certain amount of protection, as the virus can be present in areas that are not covered by a condom.

For oral Herpes, you are also advised to avoid oral contact with others which includes sharing objects that are in contact with your saliva.

How can you catch Herpes?

You can catch Herpes through unprotected sex including oral, vaginal and anal intercourse. The virus can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact alone. There is a high chance of Herpes transmission if you come into contact with an active outbreak. This is where blisters are present on the skin. Though, in some circumstances, you can still transmit the infection when there are no physical symptoms.

In some cases the blisters are inside the vagina, rectum or throat so you may not know about your infection. Sharing sex toys that are not properly cleaned before and after use also increases your chances of catching Herpes. The only way to find out if you have Herpes is to get tested.

How will I know if I have Herpes?

Both oral and genital Herpes can remain asymptomatic for long periods of time. This means that you are not experiencing any symptoms even though you have been infected. If symptoms are present, they may appear around four to seven days after initial infection, usually in the form of blisters.

These contain infectious clear liquid and will burst before scabbing over and healing within two to four weeks. You may feel tingling, itching or numbness around the affected area before the blisters appear.

Herpes blisters can affect different areas of the body. These include inside or around your mouth, the vagina, the penis, the rectum, buttocks and thighs. You may also experience flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, aches and swollen glands.

Herpes testing

Both the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 can be reliably detected by a laboratory test. Depending on the test you have, a swab sample, a urine sample or blood sample will be taken to see if you have evidence of the virus in your system.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as ulcers, blisters or sores, then a swab sample or a urine sample is usually taken for testing. A blood test for Herpes is generally conducted if you are not experiencing any signs of infection.

You can get tested for Herpes with your doctor or at sexual health clinics in the Middle East. It is completely up to you. It is important to get tested for Herpes, especially if you are experiencing skin lesions, as other STIs may also present similar physical symptoms.