What should I do about genital herpes?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on May 06, 2025
00:00
00:00

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 infection. Clinically, it is categorized as a sexually transmitted disease and is contracted through sexual contact. Once the disease appears, it cannot be completely eradicated. The virus is carried for life, and may flare up when the immune system is compromised or after consuming spicy and irritating foods. The recurrence interval varies between patients; some may experience a recurrence once a year, while others may experience it monthly. Therefore, after the onset of this disease, it is crucial to seek proper treatment in the dermatology department of a reputable hospital. Antiviral and immune-boosting medications should be taken for an extended period. Additionally, it is important to avoid spicy and irritating foods, exercise regularly to potentially reduce the recurrence of the disease. Furthermore, the disease is highly contagious during an outbreak, and it is essential to avoid sexual contact during this period.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
24sec home-news-image

Can genital herpes be completely cured?

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
29sec home-news-image

How is AIDS combined with genital herpes diagnosed and treated?

The treatment of AIDS combined with genital herpes requires the management under experienced infectious disease specialists and dermatologists. For AIDS, systematic and standardized antiretroviral therapy is necessary, involving a combination of three or more potent antiretroviral drugs. For genital herpes, antiviral drugs can be selected when necessary, and treatment should be tailored according to the actual situation. Through active management, most conditions can be well controlled.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
25sec home-news-image

Can people with genital herpes get married?

Currently, there is no law in the country stating that individuals with genital herpes cannot get married. Therefore, people with genital herpes can marry. However, we strongly advise that patients should inform their prospective spouses about their condition truthfully and clearly, in order to gain their understanding and cooperation and to avoid potential problems in future marital life.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Hong
Dermatology Department
34sec home-news-image

How is genital herpes tested?

Herpes viruses are generally divided into two types, type 1 and type 2 genital herpes, mainly caused by type 2 herpes virus. The best approach for type 2 herpes virus is to use blister fluid for PCR testing of DNA. If testing is not possible, you can also consider blood tests for herpes virus antibodies. If the IGM for type 2 herpes virus is positive, then consider it a current symptomatic infection. If the IGM is negative, but HCG is positive, then consider this herpes as a past infection.