Dear Tyson,

Herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in America today. In fact, more than 31 million Americans have gotten herpes through sexual contact. Many people enjoy normal, happy lives living with herpes.

The greatest danger of passing herpes to a newborn is during childbirth when the woman's first outbreak of symptoms (primary episode) occurs. It's rare that a woman who has recurrent herpes will pass the infection on to her newborn. Very rarely, infection of the fetus occurs when a woman has her first episode early in her pregnancy. If herpes sores are present when a woman begins labor, a cesarean section can be done to avoid infecting the newborn.

When you are ready to have children, it is important to tell your clinician that you have herpes so she can help you watch for outbreak symptoms during pregnancy and help plan the best care for you and your baby.

Although there is no cure for herpes, in most cases outbreaks become fewer and weaker over the course of a few years. They usually end within five or six years. Although herpes outbreaks recur only in about half of the people who have it, you can help prevent recurring outbreaks by maintaining a good diet, getting enough sleep and avoiding stress. People who have many (more than six a year) recurring outbreaks may want to consider using medicines like acyclovir, famiciclovir, or valacyclovir in order to reduce the number of outbreaks. These medications must be prescribed by a clinician.

For more information, you can call the Herpes Resource Center Hotline at (919) 361-8488.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.