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There is no cure for genital herpes . However, changing your lifestyle and some behaviors can lower your risk of contracting the virus or spreading the virus to others.
If you are pregnant and had a previous outbreak of genital herpes, talk with your doctor about ways to prevent the baby from contracting this disease during or after birth.
Some doctors recommend the use of valacyclovir or other similar medicines during the last part of pregnancy to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak at the time of delivery.
References:
Genital herpes fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm . Accessed July 18, 2005.
Genital herpes: lifestyle tips. National Women's Health Resource Center, Inc. (NWHRC) website. Available at: http://www.healthywomen.org/content.cfm?L1=3&L2=40& L3=6.5000. Accessed July 25, 2005.
Genital herpes: reducing your risk. International Herpes Alliance website. Available at: http://www.herpesalliance.org/resources_09.htm . Accessed: July 21, 2005.
Jones CA. Vertical transmission of genital herpes: prevention and treatment options. Drugs. 2009;69(4):421-434.
Last reviewed September 2010 by Lawrence Frisch, MD, MPH
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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