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Learn as much as you can about genital herpes. Find out your treatment options. Be aware of the facts around spreading herpes to others.
It’s important to get educated, if you aren’t already, about the facts of genital herpes. This will help you prepare to answer any questions your partner may have about herpes as well as any questions you may have about the virus.  Genital herpes is a common infection that is usually transmitted through sexual contact, or direct contact with an infected blister or sore. It can also be caused by HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores on your lips and face, through oral or genital contact. The virus can be transmitted when no symptoms are present on the person you had sexual contact with, and often goes undetected and undiagnosed. In fact, about 80% of the US population already has HSV-1 and got it sometime during their childhood from being kissed by a parent, friend, or relative. Genital herpes is very treatable, and is not life-threatening. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of catching genital herpes, regardless of their gender, race, or social class.  HSV-2 infection is usually passed on during vaginal or anal sex. HSV-1 is usually transmitted by oral sex (mouth to genital contact). This is also important information to have for your peace of mind and for your partner’s peace of mind. Most herpes cases are treated with antiviral drugs. Drug therapy is not a cure, but it can make living with herpes easier.  Initial treatment: If you have symptoms such as sores and swelling when you’re first diagnosed with herpes, your doctor will give you a brief course (7 to 10 days) of antiviral therapy to relieve the symptoms or prevent them from getting worse. Intermittent treatment: Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for you to keep on hand in case you have another flare-up. You can take the pills for two to five days as soon as you notice sores or other symptoms of an outbreak. The sores will heal and disappear on their own, but taking the drugs will speed up the process. Suppressive treatment: If you have outbreaks often, you can ask your doctor for an antiviral drug you can take every day. Anyone who has more than six outbreaks a year should use suppressive therapy, which can reduce the number of outbreaks by 70% to 80%. Many people who take antiviral drugs every day have no outbreaks. While genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease, sleeping with someone who has herpes does not mean you will are going to automatically get herpes. Most people who have herpes are shedding the disease only a small percent of the time. In fact there are many sexually active couples where one partner has herpes and one partner does not have the disease. Being aware of having the virus and letting any sexual partners know about your diagnosis is a big step to preventing the spread of virus to others.