DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I need information on genital herpes. Is there a medicine that gets rid of it? I hear there is none. Will I infect all partners from now on? Does it affect my ability to have children? I am quite upset about all this and quite confused. I deeply appreciate you giving me the facts. — A.C.

ANSWER: There are two herpes viruses: herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is the main cause of cold sores; HSV-2, the main cause of genital herpes. What I am about to say applies to the genital infection.

Genital herpes is mostly contracted through intimate contact — the infected genital skin of one sexual partner touching the uninfected skin of the other. This is an extremely common infection. More than half a million genital herpes infections occur yearly in the United States. One in four adults harbors the herpes-2 virus. Those facts should make you realize that you are far from being alone.

The first infection with herpes can leave a person feeling quite sick, with headache, fever and a genital skin outbreak of tiny blisters on a red base. The blisters often merge to form a sore, which eventually is covered with a crust. The infection heals, but the virus lives on in nerve cells ever after. Recurrent outbreaks of herpes are possible when the virus leaves the nerve cells and travels down the nerve to the genital skin. Recurring outbreaks are not as severe as the first one. Some people never experience a recurrence.

You should never have sex when you have a visible outbreak. Sex between visible episodes still can spread the virus, but the numbers of virus transmitted at those times is much less than during an overt flare-up. You should be honest with all partners. The use of a condom greatly lowers the chance of transmission.

Herpes doesn’t prevent you from having children.

Three medicines — acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex) and famciclovir (Famvir) — shorten the duration of an outbreak but don’t clear the virus from the body. People with frequent recurrences can take one of these medicines indefinitely in order to suppress the virus.

The booklet on herpes explains this widespread infection in detail. To order a copy, write: Dr. Donohue — No. 1202, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6. Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son, 15, has a terrible case of acne. The doctor has him on a couple of medicines that seem to be working well. However, he didn’t put the boy on any dietary restrictions. In my day, diet for acne was standard. Why not now? — S.B.

ANSWER: Diet was standard treatment in my day too. Chocolate, fried foods and greasy foods were taboo. The reason a diet isn’t part of an acne regimen today is because diets didn’t work.

Some studies have shown a link between milk consumption and acne. The studies were all questionnaire-based, and that might detract from their validity. If your son’s doctor hasn’t imposed any restrictions, you don’t have to either.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have arthritis of my knees, and I have found something that really works for me — Motrin. My wife heard that it damages the liver. If this is true, I’ll stop using it. Does it? — W.C.

ANSWER: Motrin is one of 17 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — NSAIDS. Millions of people use these drugs. Some users see a rise in their liver enzymes, and some have to discontinue the drug because of it. The danger is small.

Motrin, like the other NSAIDS, also can raise the risk for ulcers, heart attacks and strokes. Again, the danger is small. Dangerous side effects are related to how long these drugs are used and in what doses they are taken.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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