Genital Herpes (HSV) Basics

We know that it can be upsetting when you are diagnosed with genital herpes (HSV).  But please know we're here to help!

While genital herpes is not curable, there are treatments to reduce your symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.

Typically, you'll have no symptoms for a time, then get an outbreak that often includes blisters and discomfort.

When you have an outbreak, treatment with an antiviral medication, like valacyclovir (Valtrex) or acyclovir, can reduce the symptoms and duration of an outbreak.  It is most effective if you start it as soon as you feel an outbreak is starting.

If you have frequent or severe outbreaks, it may be appropriate to take antiviral medication every day to help decrease future outbreaks.  Let us know if you'd like to discuss this option.

To help prevent genital herpes (HSV) outbreaks, we recommend that you:

• Get enough sleep.
• Minimize stress or practice stress relief (meditation, etc.).
• If certain foods seem to cause an outbreak, try to avoid them.  Chocolate, nuts, and seeds are some common culprits, but many people eat them without trouble.
• Lysine-rich foods may help.  These include vegetables, fish, chicken/turkey, beans, and dairy products.

If you have an antiviral medication on hand, start taking it as soon as you feel an outbreak coming on (tingling, skin changes, etc.).  Otherwise, reach out right away so we can help.

If you're interested in an integrative approach, you can also try taking L-lysine to treat and prevent outbreaks, as long as you don't have liver or kidney disease.  Start with 1 gram per day, but if that doesn't prevent outbreaks, you can take 1 gram up to 3 times per day.

You can give genital herpes (HSV) to your sexual partners.  You're most likely to spread it when you have an outbreak, but you can also spread it when you do not have any symptoms.

To decrease the risk of passing genital herpes to others, you should:

• Avoid having sex when you have an outbreak.
• Use condoms every time you have sex.
• Consider taking a daily medication to suppress the virus.  Ask us if you'd like to know if this is a good option for you.

It's very important to tell your sexual partners that you have genital herpes so you can decide together how to protect them (if they do not also have it).  Let us know if you need help talking to your partner(s).

It's possible to have a safe and healthy pregnancy, even if you have genital herpes (HSV).

If you have herpes and are pregnant or planning pregnancy, please let your OB/Gyn know about your history of genital herpes.  If you had genital herpes before your pregnancy, it's unlikely that you'll pass on the virus to your baby, but many people need to start medication toward the end of pregnancy.

If your partner doesn't have genital herpes and might become pregnant, we want to prevent a new herpes infection during pregnancy.  Please ask about how to prevent the spread of genital herpes.