Can genital herpes be completely cured?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Genital herpes is a chronic, recurrent, and difficult to cure sexually transmitted disease caused by the infection of the herpes simplex virus in the urogenital and perianal skin and mucous membranes. Currently, there is a lack of drugs in clinical practice that can kill the herpes simplex virus, and also a lack of methods to kill the virus, therefore genital herpes cannot be completely cured.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Genital herpes is what?

Genital herpes is a disease caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus type 2, which is a type of sexually transmitted disease. It is mostly transmitted through direct sexual contact. Initially, small blisters appear on the genital area, which can cause burning or pain. Most patients will gradually recover on their own within about a week, and can also recover quickly with oral antiviral medication. However, the virus is not completely eliminated and once infected, it cannot be completely eradicated. The virus is carried for life. When one's immune system is weakened, there is a possibility of recurrence of the condition. Therefore, if such a disease occurs, it is essential to seek proper treatment and, during an outbreak, try to avoid sexual contact to prevent transmission to others.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How long will it take for genital herpes to heal after taking medication?

Genital herpes is categorized into primary genital herpes and recurrent genital herpes. Primary genital herpes refers to the first infection of the herpes simplex virus, with a treatment duration generally ranging from two to three weeks, after which symptoms disappear. Recurrent genital herpes refers to the recurrence of the condition after the primary infection lesions have subsided. Treatment typically leads to the disappearance of symptoms within seven to ten days. However, it should be emphasized that genital herpes cannot be completely cured, hence it is recurrent.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Genital herpes is what kind of situation?

Genital herpes is caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus and is classified as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It primarily occurs after sexual contact, although infection can also happen through contact with contaminated towels or bed sheets. Initially, small blisters appear on the external genitalia, accompanied by a burning sensation and pain. Once the disease manifests, it is contagious and can be transmitted to others through sexual contact. It is crucial to seek prompt treatment at a reputable hospital upon discovering this condition. Standard antiviral medications can cure it, but the virus cannot be completely eradicated once contracted. When immunity is low or after consuming spicy and irritating foods, the disease may recur in the genital area and become active again. Therefore, it is essential to avoid sexual contact during an outbreak to prevent repeated cross-infection.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can the genital herpes virus appear in the mouth?

Genital herpes virus refers to the herpes simplex virus, which is divided into Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 virus mainly causes infections of the skin and mucous membranes outside the genital and anal regions, but infections can also be caused by Type 2 virus. Type 2 virus primarily causes infections of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals and anal area, although a minority of cases can also be caused by Type 1 virus. When herpes simplex virus Type 1 or Type 2 infects the mouth, it can lead to herpetic gingivostomatitis and herpetic pharyngitis.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can traditional Chinese medicine eradicate genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a chronic, recurrent, and difficult-to-cure sexually transmitted disease caused by the infection of the urinary and reproductive organs and the perianal skin and mucosa with the herpes simplex virus. Currently, in clinical practice, neither Chinese nor Western medicine has a drug that can completely eliminate the herpes simplex virus. Therefore, Chinese medicine cannot completely cure genital herpes, nor can Western medicine.