Resolved question:
Dear doctor, I am a 24 years old female and I was sexually active for some years. About two years ago, I was diagnosed to have HSV type 2 infection. But the infection was limited to certain areas only, of my body. The effects were localized to the tip of tailbone and near that part of buttocks. There are some bumps or cold sores near that area. I took a herbal supplement named Lysine which helped me to keep away outbreaks. But frequently, I used to get little bumps in these areas and I simply want to cure it. Recently, I met a guy and I told about my infection, to him. He didn’t knew anything about the infection and I am sure that he didn’t knew. So, he simply ignored what I said and I wonder there are lot many chances that can cause a spread of the infection to him. I don’t know whether I should continue taking lysine or go for some other medicine. What will be the effect if I add acyclovir to my medicine list? I heard that Valtrex is very much effective, but due to its high price, I cant add it to my list. What about using condoms to reduce a chance of infection? To conclude this part of my question, I want to know these things: Can I use condom to prevent spread of disease? Can acyclovir or any other medicine help in preventing the infection? It was told that blood tests are not efficient in determining presence of virus. Is it true? Please help.
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Genital herpes or generally herpes is caused by two types of virus namely Herpes Simplex Virus of two types- type 1 and type 2. Of them, type 1 of HSV is contracted through infected saliva and by oral sex or cunningulus. Herpes type 2 virus is transmitted through sexual contact with infected partner. Genital herpes is the most widely spread type of herpes infection and one of the widely spread sexually transmitted diseases. This usually causes fever blisters and cold sores in infected people. The dreadful side of the disease is that there is no cure found till date to eradicate the infection completely. Cold sores and similar symptoms are treated according to the symptoms and severity of symptoms. Abstinence from sexual practices with affected people, is the only known method to prevent infection. Condoms, however cannot ensure protection if the sores are in parts which are not covered completely by condom. Prevention is possible with condoms only if the sores are present in the shaft of penis and nowhere else. Another dangerous situation is that the virus can stay dormant in human body for years without any visible outbreak. Even at this situation, there are chances for spreading of disease through sexual contact. This makes people unaware of spreading the disease. People having the infection will always be contagious and there are no vaccines or medicines found to prevent a possibility of spread. Reception of medical treatment of any sorts do not offer protection from transmitting the virus. To lessen the chances of spread, one can use condoms till they have not got any visible outbreaks or sores. Acyclovir medication is used in people having bacterial infections. It cannot treat viral infections and so cannot be used for treating herpes. Hope I have answered your query well. Take care.