Genital Herpes: Can You Get Rid of It Forever?

28 de octubre de 2025

3 min de lectura

The statistics look scary: millions of the world's population are infected with this type of herpes. Where does this virus come from and can we get rid of it?

Puntos clave

The statistics look scary: millions of the world's population are infected with this type of herpes.
Where can you get infected?
How does the virus manifest itself?

Para quién es

Personas que exploran Salud de la mujer a través de herpes, ginecología.

Por qué importa

Este artículo te ayuda a orientarte rápidamente y luego avanzar a una colección o serie si quieres seguir profundizando.

Autor del artículo

Dra. Helga

ginecólogo-obstetra

Where can you get infected?

The disease is transmitted only through sexual contact, and the household route is excluded. Therefore, shaking hands or drinking from a friend’s cup cannot transmit the disease. All types of sexual contact — from kissing to oral sex—contribute to the spread of infection, especially if the partner has herpes in the lips and mouth.

How does the virus manifest itself?

The period from infection to the onset of clinical signs can last from 3 to 26 days. First, small bubbles show up, the skin and mucous membranes become reddish and swollen at the site of the lesion, and itching and burning occur. After about 3 days, the bubbles burst and ulcers appear, which heal within 2 to 4 weeks.

The disease can be accompanied by an increase in the inguinal lymph nodes, general malaise, fever, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, and headaches. It is very important not to scratch the affected area, as this will lead to the spread of bubbles to adjacent areas of the skin and mucous membranes. Women suffer from herpes more often than men.

The frequency of relapses in people of both sexes is the same, but in men, they are longer in duration, and women usually have more severe symptoms.

If I once had herpes, what are the chances I get sick again?

The human immune system is able to suppress the development of the virus, but if weakened, the infection can "wake up" and reinfect. Risk factors for relapse are:

Reduced immunity
Hypovitaminosis
Use of intrauterine devices
Artificial termination of pregnancy with curettage
Constant stress
Overwork
Hypothermia
Infection with other infections, both sexual and general

People with good immunity often do not even know that they are carriers of the virus since their disease is asymptomatic, but a person can still infect a partner. The risk is not as high as with a disease in the active phase, but it must be remembered that the susceptibility to viruses in people is based on the individual. If one of them has a reduced immunity at the time of contact, infection is still possible, even if the disease did not manifest itself in any way.

When should you go to the doctor?

A dermatologist is your doctor for the treatment of genital herpes. Antiviral drugs are traditionally used in tablets, injections, ointments, creams, and gels. Relief of the condition usually comes quickly after 2–3 days of using the prescribed drugs.

However, it is important to complete the course in its entirety—otherwise, the disease may return after a short time. The duration of treatment depends on the form of the disease and usually lasts from 1–1.5 months. A second course is carried out 6 months later. Unfortunately, many do not complete the full course of treatment, which is dangerous as it increases the likelihood of relapses of a more severe course of the disease.

It is impossible to get rid of genital herpes permanently; therefore, treatment should aim to reduce the incidence and prevent complications. A person with genital herpes will remain a carrier of the virus for life.

Seguir leyendo

Salud de la mujer#Pap test

What Does the Pap Test Show and Who Needs It?

The Pap test (also referred to as the Pap smear) is one of the most common types of cytological analyses that every woman faces. How often women should have it done and why it's important?

Dra. Asya28 oct 2025

Salud de la mujer#endometriosis

¿Es necesaria una dieta especial para resolver problemas ginecológicos?

¿Necesita una dieta especial para solucionar problemas ginecológicos? En la mayoría de los casos, no es necesario; sin embargo, hay excepciones.

Dra. Helga9 dic 2025

Estilo de vida saludable#la salud del hombre

¿Jugar o no jugar? Juguetes sexuales desde la perspectiva de un ginecólogo

¿Los juguetes sexuales pueden ser peligrosos? ¿Lavarlos con agua y jabón es lo suficicientemente seguro? ¿Es posible lastimarse utilizando un juguete? Averigüémoslo.

Dra. Helga28 oct 2025

Ornament Blog#herpes

Desarrollan un gel de protección contra el VIH y el herpes

El Real Instituto de Tecnología de Estocolmo ha desarrollado un gel sintético para la protección contra el VIH y el herpes genital, a base de mucina de vaca. Las pruebas de laboratorio han demostrado que el innovador producto es un 70% eficaz contra el VIH y un 80% contra el herpes.

Alina28 oct 2025

Instala Ornament para no solo leer estos artículos, sino también hacer seguimiento de tu salud, guardar resultados de análisis y acceder a otras funciones útiles

Instalar Ornament