SEX-RELATED DISEASES: GENITAL HERPES
Until the seventies the existence of this incurable condition was hardly known to the public. It is caused by a virus (the cold-sore virus) which produces painful, burning, fluid-filled genital blisters. There may also be burning pain on passing urine and painful lumps in the groin. The sores can become infected. About 30,per cent of sufferers have other symptoms such as tingling pain down the legs, back pain, a fever and swollen lymph nodes (glands). The blisters may recur several times a year and some people have as many as twelve bouts a year with stress and menstruation seeming to act as triggers.
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus which is closely related to the virus that causes cold sores. Of babies infected during birth (as they come down their mother’s infected vagina), about half die or are severely retarded – so it is a serious disease for them. In women, recurrent attacks are thought to increase the risk of cervical cancer five- to eight-fold and sufferers are advised to have a smear done every six months.
Probably the most unpleasant thing about the disease is the terrible psychological and emotional effects it can have. These have been aggravated by exaggerated propaganda about the disease. However, the thought of having to declare that one has an incurable venereal disease before having intercourse with someone is a tremendous strain and carries an enormous responsibility. In the US so great is the problem that special self-help herpes groups have been formed. A new drug (Acyclovir) is available to help treat the disease but has to be given intravenously which means a short stay in hospital. Various other treatments including diets, locally applied yoghurt, whisky and ether have been tried but have proved ineffective.
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