It seems that herpes virus, transmitted through skin to skin contact, is going to be a future concern for the medical fraternity. Among South Africa’s most common sexually transmitted diseases, herpes has become an epidemic in the society and furthermore, this viral infection has not been able to find its any tangible cure so far.

The herpes virus, prevalent in two forms: Herpes Simplex One and Herpes Simplex, affects mouth and even inflict genital and anal areas in both men and women.

Though the available drugs, including Aciclovir cream and tablets, Valaciclovir and Famciclovir, can reduce the strong effect of the disease, medical experts are of the view that in case the genital herpes are overlooked, the virus can be snowballed during birth, leading to loss in eye vision in the newborn.

Responding to the percolating health concern, Elna Macintosh, Sexologist and Director of the DISA clinic, claimed, “We don’t know why HSV reactivates at particular times”.

Though health experts have lined wide range of factors contributing to an outbreak, including friction due to sexual intercourse, ill health, stress, fatigue, depression, lack of sleep, direct sunlight and menstruation, the level of impact of the disease is expected to vary from person to person.

Macintosh further added, “If your recurrences are frequent, painful and/or disrupt your life to a great extent, oral antiviral therapy can significantly reduce or suppress the symptoms”.