Is genital herpes curable?
Senior Consultant, Dermatology and Venereology,
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
Q: I have been suffering from genital herpes for the last 5 years. Skin specialist advised Herperax tab. (250 mg) daily three whenever eruptions show, and to apply Herperax ointment. Is genital herpes curable permanently? If so what are the remedies in allopathy? How many years should one take the medicines? If herpes is not curable, can one have sex with his partner (wife) who is already having the herpes?
A:Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a life long disorder. However, in general, with the passage of time, the recurrences become fewer and milder. If the body resistance is good, the attacks will be less frequent and will be shorter. The choice of medicines depend upon the severity of the attack. If the sexual partner is infected with the same strain of the virus, then there is no extra risk from contact.