What should I do if I get genital herpes?

Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Genital herpes is a type of sexually transmitted disease. If you contract genital herpes, first and foremost, you should avoid sexual contact to prevent transmitting it to others. Secondly, it’s important to rest and eat a light diet. Try to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or consuming particularly spicy foods, as these can also aid in recovery from the illness. Thirdly, treatment can include oral antiviral medications since genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, mainly type 2. Therefore, antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir should be taken. Additionally, topical antiviral treatments, such as acyclovir ointment and penciclovir cream, can be used. If the blisters rupture and secondary infection occurs, antibiotic ointments like mupirocin should be applied to prevent further aggravation of the infection.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
30sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
40sec home-news-image

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 Liu Gang
Dermatology
58sec home-news-image

What are the transmission routes of genital herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 infection, with the primary transmission route being sexual contact. However, some patients can also be infected through contact with contaminated clothing or through activities like bathing, swimming, or staying in hotels, although these methods have a relatively lower chance of transmission. Once infected with genital herpes, it generally persists for life and cannot be completely eradicated. Antiviral medications such as valacyclovir can be used during outbreaks, and topical acyclovir ointment can be applied locally. Regular exercise and consuming medications that enhance the immune system can help reduce the recurrence of this disease. If one frequently stays up late or consumes spicy and irritative food, the likelihood of recurrence increases. Moreover, this disease is highly contagious during outbreaks and can be transmitted to others through sexual contact.

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Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
1min 6sec home-news-image

What should I do if I get genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a type of sexually transmitted disease. If you contract genital herpes, first and foremost, you should avoid sexual contact to prevent transmitting it to others. Secondly, it’s important to rest and eat a light diet. Try to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or consuming particularly spicy foods, as these can also aid in recovery from the illness. Thirdly, treatment can include oral antiviral medications since genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, mainly type 2. Therefore, antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir should be taken. Additionally, topical antiviral treatments, such as acyclovir ointment and penciclovir cream, can be used. If the blisters rupture and secondary infection occurs, antibiotic ointments like mupirocin should be applied to prevent further aggravation of the infection.

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Written by Luo Hong
Dermatology Department
39sec home-news-image

Can genital herpes in women heal by itself?

Genital herpes has an intermittent onset because herpes cannot be said to be cured and never recurs. The herpes virus congregates at the sacral nerve roots in the human body. Therefore, when immunity is low, the virus travels along the sacral nerve root to the surface of the skin, causing damage in spots, commonly known as a recurrence of herpes. Thus, genital herpes does not heal on its own; it is merely in a quiescent phase of an outbreak. Therefore, genital herpes is generally harder to treat in females than in males because the female body has a cavity, and herpes inside the cavity may not be visible.