What is Herpes?
erpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is one of the most common STDs in the world, and it is estimated that approximately one in eight people have been infected by the virus. Around 80% of those infected don’t even know they have the virus. It is impossible to know exactly how many people have the virus, since many cases are asymptomatic or never diagnosed.
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What Causes Herpes?
Herpes is caused by two different viruses: HSV1 and HSV2. HSV1 usually causes sores around the mouth, while HSV2 causes genital herpes.
The infection is spread by skin-to-skin contact, and it can be transmitted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex, and kissing. It can also be spread through contact with lesions from other areas of the body. The virus goes into the body through small lesions in the skin, or through the mucosae in the mouth, penis, vagina, cervix, or anus.
After the infection, the patient might develop unspecific symptoms such as fever, fatigue, nausea, myalgia, adenopathy, along with the characteristic sores. Sores are small blisters which can sting or burn. They are usually grouped in clusters and they become crusted before healing. They don’t leave scars and resolve spontaneously. In some cases, patients won’t develop sores, instead displaying only irritated skin. Women can also present with vaginal discharge. Some people can be infected and remain asymptomatic; however, they can still spread the virus to other people.
After the first episode, the virus can become latent and remain in sensory nerves. This is known as the latent stage; afterwards, the virus can affect the skin again, usually along the pathway of the nerve where it has remained. These are the recurring episodes of the virus.
Fortunately, outbreaks tend to become less frequent and painful over time.
Risk factors for acquiring the infection include:
- Multiple sex partners
- Previous STDs
- Female gender
- Having unprotected sex
- Early age during first sexual intercourse
How is Herpes Diagnosed?
A sample will be taken from a sore and tested to determine whether HSV is present in the lesion, thus confirming the diagnosis. However, a negative result does not rule out herpes. Samples should be taken from new ulcers, where it is more likely to find the virus.
Blood tests are also carried out to determine the presence of antibodies against HSV. This test can determine if the infection is new or a repeat outbreak. It is usually very difficult, if not impossible, to point to the exact moment a person was infected with the virus. If herpes is diagnosed, tests should be carried out to discard other STDs, since they can exist as comorbidities.
Herpes Cure Information
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There isn’t a cure for herpes, and although the sores heal in days or weeks, the virus never leaves the body. However, some medications can help make the outbreak pass faster.
NSAIDs such as paracetamol can be taken to reduce the discomfort during an outbreak. Ice packs, salt baths, and local anesthetic creams can also be applied.
Over-the-counter medications:
Antiviral medications:
- Acyclovir
- Valacyclovir
- Famciclovir
- Penciclovir: only available for topical application
The dosage and length of treatment with these medications will depend on the location and chronicity of the lesions. Immunocompromised patients can develop life-threatening infections due to HSV (such as encephalitis or pneumonitis), and in these cases, acyclovir is often used in high doses. If acyclovir-resistant HSV is encountered, it is usually treated with cidofovir and foscarnet; however, these drugs can cause kidney toxicity. Prophylactic treatment can also be administered with antiviral drugs to prevent or shorten future outbreaks.
Herpes Clinical Trials
Match to Herpes Clinical Trials
- Access to cutting-edge treatments
- Latest clinical trials
- Find trials in your area
Clinical trials are carried out before a new drug or treatment is released to the public to test its efficacy and safety. They are led by a team comprised of researchers, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel. Participation in these trials is entirely voluntary, and patients can leave the trial at any point if they wish to do so. Joining a clinical trial allows patients to gain more control over their treatment, and to be treated by experts in the field.
Herpes clinical trials are carried out to test new treatments that could possibly cure the disease, and to create and test vaccines to prevent infection. If you are interested in joining a clinical trial, ask your doctor about any trials open in your area, or contact hospitals and/or universities to find out about clinical trials available for you.
ClinicalTrials.gov: Recruiting Studies | Herpes | Last update posted in the last 300 days Studies found on ClinicalTrials.gov by a search of: Recruiting Studies | Herpes | Last update posted in the last 300 days
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Study of Viralym-M (ALVR105) for Multi-Virus Prevention in Patients Post-Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant
on January 5, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: BK Virus Infection; JC Virus Infection; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Adenovirus Infection; Human Herpes Virus-6 InfectionInterventions: Biological: Viralym-M Cells; Biological: Placebo (visually identical to Viralym-M)Sponsor: AlloVirRecruiting
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Erector Spinae Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Acute Thoracic Herpes Zoster
on December 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: Acute Thoracic Herpes Zoster; Erector Spinae Plane Block; Thoracic Paravertebral Block; Pain ReliefInterventions: Drug: Control Rx; Procedure: Erector Spinae Block; Procedure: Thoracic Paravertebral BlockSponsor: Tanta UniversityRecruiting
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OH2 Oncolytic Viral Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer
on November 20, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Condition: Pancreatic CancerIntervention: Biological: OH2 injectionSponsor: Wuhan Binhui Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Recruiting
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OH2 Injection in Combination With HX008 for Melanoma.
on November 5, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Condition: MelanomaInterventions: Biological: OH2 injection; Biological: HX008 injectionSponsor: Wuhan Binhui Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Recruiting
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Safety and Efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9 mRNA Instantaneous Gene Editing Therapy to Treat Refractory Viral Keratitis
on September 23, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Viral Keratitis; Blindness Eye; Herpes Simplex Virus Infection; CorneaIntervention: Drug: BD111 Adult single group DoseSponsors: Shanghai BDgene Co., Ltd.; Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan UniversityRecruiting
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Erector Spinae Plane Block in Post-herpetic Neuralgia
on September 14, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Postherpetic NeuralgiaInterventions: Drug: Medical treatment; Procedure: Real Erector Spinae block; Procedure: Real Erector Spinae block with magnesium sulphate; Procedure: Sham Erector Spinae blockSponsor: Tanta UniversityRecruiting
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Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Against Chronic Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection
on September 7, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Herpes LabialisInterventions: Drug: HDIT101 (blinded therapy); Drug: Placebo (blinded therapy); Behavioral: Photo documentation of orolabial herpes lesions; Behavioral: Completion of questionnaires (patient-reported outcomes); Procedure: 28-day swabbing of orolabial region; Procedure: Blood drawingsSponsor: Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbHRecruiting
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Training the Innate Immune System Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Using the Shingrix Vaccine in Nursing Home Residents
on August 21, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Herpes Zoster; Allergy and Immunology; Corona Virus InfectionInterventions: Biological: SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine REcombinant, Adjuvanted); Drug: Normal SalineSponsors: Barbara Carlson; Oklahoma Medical Research FoundationRecruiting
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The Effect Of Preoperative Parameters On Success After DMEK Surgery
on June 9, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy; Pseudophakic Bullous Keratopathy; Descemet's Membrane; Defect; Herpetic Keratitis; Angle's Classification; Endothelial DysfunctionIntervention: Procedure: Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK)Sponsor: Beyoglu Eye Research and Education HospitalRecruiting
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OH2 Injection in Solid Tumors
on May 13, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Solid Tumor; MelanomaInterventions: Biological: OH2 injection; Drug: KeytrudaSponsor: Wuhan Binhui Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Recruiting
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Study of ONCR-177 Alone and in Combination With PD-1 Blockade in Adult Subjects With Advanced and/or Refractory Cutaneous, Subcutaneous or Metastatic Nodal Solid Tumors
on April 16, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Cancer; Melanoma; Solid Tumor; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Breast Cancer; Advanced Solid TumorInterventions: Biological: ONCR-177; Biological: pembrolizumabSponsor: Oncorus, Inc.Recruiting
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Autoimmune Encephalitis With Anti-NMDA Receptor Antibodies Following Herpetic Encephalitis
on April 9, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Autoimmune Encephalitis; Anti NMDA Receptor Encephalitis; Herpetic EncephalitisIntervention: Other: Description and analysisSponsor: Hospices Civils de LyonRecruiting
If you have been infected with the herpes simplex virus, make sure to adopt habits that minimize the risk of infecting other people, such as using condoms to prevent infection during intercourse, avoiding having multiple sex partners, avoiding intercourse during an active outbreak. Be honest with your partners about having the virus, and consider contacting previous partners if you aren’t sure where you became infected.
Make sure to discuss all your therapeutic options with your doctor, since the proper treatment can make outbreaks shorter and less painful. Seek professional help if you are having difficulty coping with the diagnosis. It is normal to feel shock, anger and embarrassment after diagnosis; however, it is important to know that although there is a stigma associated with herpes, it is a manageable condition that hardly ever leads to serious complications and you can lead a normal life after being infected.
- Be kind to your partner if they have HSV and don’t make them feel ashamed or stigmatize the disease. Practice safe sex, and ask your doctor about prophylactic treatment to minimize the risk of infection.
- Herpes can’t be spread through contact with personal objects, so there is no danger in sharing objects like towels, sheets, toilets, or going swimming together.
- Avoid intimate contact with your loved one when they have active sores.
- Consider couples counseling to deal with the diagnosis.
- If you are interested, look for clinical trials near me
- Knott, L. (Oct 16th, 2017) Genital Herpes. Recovered from https://patient.info/health/sexually-transmitted-infections-leaflet/genital-herpes
- Genital herpes. 2015. Recovered from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/genital-herpes