You are here: Home > Herpes > Effects on Your Life	July 4th, 2008

STD Guide

STD Information
• STD Prevention
• How STD's are Spread
• Using Condoms
• Using Spermicides
• Abstinence

Herpes
• Herpes Symptoms
• Herpes Treatments
• Incurable Disease
• Effects on Your Life

Genital Warts
• Genital Warts Symptoms
• Genital Warts Treatments
• Pregnancy Effects
• Cervical Cancer

HPV
• HPV Symptoms
• HPV Treatments
• Cervical Cancer
• Circumcision Cancer Effects

Syphilis
• Syphilis Symptoms
• Syphilis Treatments
• Complications
• History

Chlamydia
• Chlamydia Symptoms
• Chlamydia Treatments
• Prevention
• Effects

Gonorrhea
• Gonorrhea Symptoms
• Gonorrhea Treatments
• Diagnosing Gonorrhea
• Complications

Molluscum Contagiosum
• MC Symptoms
• MC Treatments
• MC in Children

Vaginitis
• Vaginitis Symptoms
• Vaginitis Treatments
• Pregnancy Complications
• Vaginitis in Gay Women

Birth Control
• Condoms
• Birth Control Pills
• The Shot
• Birth Control Patch
• Barrier Methods

Effects on Your Life Advice

Herpes is an incurable virus caused by the herpes simplex virus – 1 (HSV – 1) or the herpes simplex virus – 2 (HSV – 2) that will have long lasting effects on your life. You may become infected with the disease after a single exposure to the disease but if you contract the virus, the effects of the disease will be with you for the remainder of your lifetime.

Dealing with recurrent outbreaks of the herpes virus is just one of the long term effects that those who suffer from herpes have to contend with on a regular basis. For many sufferers of this incurable disease, outbreaks will occur several times throughout the year. These outbreaks can be both painful and itchy and additionally they require precautions to prevent the spread of the disease to others. Drugs such as Acyclovir (Zovirax), Famciclovir (Famvir), Valacyclovir (Valtrex) can be used to treat the symptoms of the disease but they will not cure the disease. These drugs have been proven effective for reducing the duration and intensity of the outbreaks and in some cases also help to prevent future outbreaks. While these drugs can prevent future outbreaks, they will not completely rid the body of the disease.

Those with a weakened immune system might find that they suffer from more frequent and more intense outbreaks than others who suffer from herpes. Even if your immune system is functioning well, the existence of the herpes virus in your system may make you prone to ocular herpes. This condition is usually caused by the HSV – 1 virus but may sometimes also be caused by the HSV – 2 virus. This is a serious condition that can lead to sever eye disease and in some cases even blindness.

Counseling is recommended for those who suffer from herpes. The social stigma of this disease can make many people feel ashamed. Coming to understand that the disease is quite common is sometimes enough to make some sufferers of the herpes virus feel less shameful about their condition but in many cases counseling is necessary to help them cope with their disease.

Those who are afflicted with the herpes virus should also seek medical consultations with their doctor regarding the disease. This gives them the opportunity to discuss the disease openly with a professional who is experienced in the field of sexually transmitted diseases. The doctor will be able to offer advice for managing the symptoms of the disease and for preventing the spread of the disease.

Living with herpes can be difficult but it doesn’t have to be socially or physically crippling. It is possible to live a long and healthy life while afflicted with herpes. Although the effects of the disease are long lasting, they do not have to significantly limit your activities.