Herpes infection can be a serious but highly manageable matter. It is uncomfortable and frightening, but you are not alone. The comments below show what the facts are surrounding this topic. At the Center for Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, we are sensitive to your concerns. Our caring and gentle staff will respect your privacy as you meet with our health care providers to discuss  your treatment options. Your dermatologist is a highly respected and knowledgeable resource regarding this condition. You will be treated courteously and respectfully, as you deserve to be. Don’t live in fear and don’t be embarrassed- we can help! Read the facts  and then call  us to schedule an appointment.

What is herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. Herpes commonly affects other areas of the skin such as lips,fingers etc.. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak.  Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years. As stated,there are multiple forms of Herpes on the skin aside from the genital area.

How common is  herpes?
Results of a nationally representative study show that genital herpes infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, 16.2%, or about one out of six, people 14 to 49 years of age have genital HSV-2 infection. Over the past decade, the percentage of Americans with genital herpes infection in the U.S. has remained stable.
HSV-2 infection is more common in women (approximately one out of five women 14 to 49 years of age) than in men (about one out of nine men 14 to 49 years of age). Transmission from an infected male to his female partner is more likely than from an infected female to her male partner.
How is  herpes diagnosed?
The signs and symptoms associated with HSV-2 can vary greatly. Health care providers can diagnose herpes by visual inspection if the outbreak is typical, and by taking a sample from the sore(s) and testing it in a laboratory. HSV infections can be diagnosed between outbreaks by the use of a blood test. Blood tests, which detect antibodies to HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection, can be helpful, although the results are not always clear-cut.

Is there a treatment for herpes?
There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication.There are medications that can often times prevent the clinical appearance of the infection-i.e.-make the infection not noticable.  In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners.

How can herpes be prevented?
The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including genital herpes, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.There are,however.other important steps and facts to be aware of with each individual case as well as barrier methods such as condoms which although far from perfect help minimize transmission.