Is there a cure for herpes?

Getting a herpes diagnosis is an undeniably shit go.

Maybe you specifically asked for the test after the subject of a recent sexual encounter told you that they’re infected (even without any symptoms). Or perhaps your junk has broken out in sores that DEFINITELY weren’t there before.

Either way, you’re probably wondering “Is there a cure for herpes?” and “Is herpes forever?”

Unfortunately, the answer to the former question is essentially “no” and to add insult to injury, the latter is “yes”, but that doesn’t mean it’s all bad news for carriers of the common contagion.

First, let’s take a look at what exactly herpes entails.

What is herpes?

Herpes is the everyday term used for the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It’s a highly transmissible viral infection that causes blister-type sores to occur, usually on the skin around the mouth and/or genitals.

It comes in two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is more common and typically causes sores around the mouth and lips (commonly known as cold sores).

HSV-2’s sores are generally more prevalent around the genital and anal areas, though both types can affect both areas.

Essentially, anywhere that has a mucous membrane. This refers to the thin “epithelial” tissue which secretes mucus, and lines most of the body’s cavities and tubular organs including the gut and respiratory passages, and here concerns the anus, mouth and vagina.

This tissue is fertile ground for a herpes simplex virus infection to ensconce itself.

Types of herpes

Herpes comes in two main types:

Oral herpes (HSV-1)

Oral herpes, also known as HSV-1, is the culprit behind those annoying cold sores or fever blisters that pop up around your mouth.

It’s highly contagious and can spread through skin-to-skin contact, like kissing or sharing utensils.

And don’t think you’re safe just because you’re not swapping spit — oral herpes can also be spread through oral sex, which can lead to genital herpes.

So, if you see someone with a cold sore, maybe hold off on the smooches and sharing drinks.

Genital herpes (HSV-2)

Genital herpes, also known as HSV-2, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that targets the genital area. It’s primarily spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who’s infected.

Genital herpes can cause painful blisters or sores in the genital area, and it might come with some extra fun like fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

If you think you might have it, it’s best to get checked out and avoid any sexy time until you know for sure.

How common is herpes?

In Australia, it’s estimated that a whopping 75% (yes, that’s 3 in 4) of adults carry the HSV-1 virus, and a staggering 10% carry the HSV-2 virus [1].

It’s also noted that more women carry the HSV-2 virus than men do.

The reason for this is very simple: it is much easier for a woman to contract herpes from a man during sex than it is for a man to contract it, thanks largely in part to a woman’s vaginal walls being more susceptible to infection than the thicker, more resistant skin on the penis.

Some studies indicate that the rate of infection for HSV-2 amongst women is around double that of men [2].

Causes and transmission

So, how does herpes spread its joy? Herpes is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person’s skin or bodily fluids, such as saliva, semen, or vaginal fluids. The virus can be spread through:

• Skin-to-skin contact
• Mucosa-to-mucosa contact
• Bodily fluids (such as saliva, semen, or vaginal fluids)
• Oral sex
• Vaginal or anal sex

The risk of transmission depends on the type of HSV infection. Genital herpes can be transmitted through contact with the genital area, while oral herpes can be transmitted through contact with the mouth or saliva.

If someone has both oral and genital herpes, they can transmit the virus through contact with either area.

And here’s the kicker: herpes can be transmitted even when the infected person isn’t showing any symptoms.

This sneaky move is called asymptomatic shedding, and it can happen with both oral and genital herpes. So, always play it safe and use protection, even if everything looks A-OK.

Is there a cure for herpes?

In a word, no: herpes does not have a cure. That said, it’s important to note that nobody has ever died from a herpes outbreak.

While both types of HSV can be dangerous to a person whose immune system is suppressed, it is not a serious illness in and of itself, and the only noticeable symptoms are usually open sores in the affected area for a week or two.

A small number of HSV patients have reported mild flu-like symptoms during an episode, too, but remember, this is a small percentage of those who know they have the virus, and it is estimated that the majority of people who carry HSV are not aware that they have it [3].

For those who are aware, it can be monitored and suppressed with the assistance of some pharmaceutical intervention.

The herpes virus remains in the body for life, residing in nerve cells and potentially reactivating during periods of stress or illness.

How do I treat a herpes infection?

There are treatment options available that work to suppress the virus when it's flaring up (i.e. making sores sprout all over your johnson).

This can help in two ways: by reducing the length of time it will take before it subsides and by reducing the risk of transmission to a sexual partner.

While flare-ups are occurring, it is safest to avoid all sexual contact for the week or so symptoms are showing, and at other times use a barrier-type of protection during intercourse (condoms for regular sex, dental dams for oral sex) to avoid the risk of spreading infection.

What else can I do for oral or genital herpes?

There are a few practical ways to manage a flare-up of herpes that will both make the episode more comfortable to live with and also shorten its lifespan. These include:

• Keeping the affected area dry
• Avoiding any tight clothing and synthetic materials that won’t breathe
• Using anaesthetic cream to manage the immediate pain
• Washing the affected area with warm, salty water (avoid soap altogether).

Whether you have oral or genital herpes, these management strategies can help alleviate symptoms and reduce the duration of outbreaks.

At the time, copping a herpes diagnosis feels like the worst luck.

You might feel like you’re the first person ever to come down with it, and the perceived stigma of having it “forever” sucks. It takes time to come to grips with.

Understanding the nature of genital herpes infection and its similarities to other viral infections can help in coping with the diagnosis.

But there’s also a great deal of reassurance in the numbers (literally billions of people carry it in some form or another) and the lack of a “cure”, as it were, is largely offset by the fact that it can be managed throughout a long and otherwise healthy life without complication or fear of transmission [4].

As always, it’s important that you take a couple of extra precautions to look after yourself and your sexual partner(s); wear a condom, ensure you’ve sought the advice of a doctor and looked at treatment, and don’t be afraid to be honest about it if you’re worried you might infect another (“Not tonight” is a far less awkward conversation that the alternative and you’ll get brownie points for being open).

And remember that while herpes may be prevalent, and (at least for now) permanent, it is no terminal illness either.

The right course of treatment can keep the symptoms repressed, the risk of transmission low and the carrier living a full and healthy life to a ripe old age, without the ongoing discomfort of regular outbreaks, or the ongoing fearful feeling that you’re the only one in the world dealing with it.