Herpes Doctor

This depends on what type of Herpes you have. Assuming you
have Herpes Simplex 1 or 2 you should be perfectly capable of
keeping your children uninfected.

Herpes Simplex 1 causes
Oral Herpes - Cold Sores. It
spreads from the affected area only, mostly during an
outbreak but to a lesser extent just before the outbreak and in the viral
shedding period when the virus reproduces itself.

Herpes can spread to an open cut or a mucus membrane.
Mucus membranes are found in the bodily openings like eyes, mouth, genitals,
anus etc. Many children get Oral Herpes from kissing their relatives.

Oral Herpes - Cold Sores

Although you can't cure Oral Herpes, you can treat
it with very good results. You use a cream containing an antiviral
agent, either Penciclovir or Acyclovir, available without a
prescription from pharmacies. This will reduce the risk
of spreading as well as reduce the duration, frequency and severity
of outbreaks.

When you have an outbreak you should take certain precautions

• Avoid kissing, including dry kisses on the cheek etc
• Avoid touching the affected area
• Use an antiviral cream
• Wash your hands regularly to avoid infecting other parts of
  your own body

If you have a partner you should avoid sexual activity during the
outbreak, especially giving oral sex as this may cause Genital Herpes
in your partner.

If you are worried about giving Herpes Simplex to your children when
you don't have an outbreak, you should avoid kissing them at all
times.

Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes is mostly seen on the genitals but can be found anywhere
between the knees and waist. Genital Herpes is usually transferred via
sexual activity, so your children are not a very high risk. An unlikely
but possible scenario is that you have Genital Herpes on your thighs
and pass it to your child when he or she is sitting on your lap, for
example in the summer when both of you are wearing swimming costumes at
the beach.

Genital Herpes can't be cured but can be treated with very good results.
You take an antiviral agent in tablet form, either Famciclovir, Valacyclovir
or Acyclovir, available on prescription from your doctor. This will reduce
the risk of spreading as well as reduce the duration, frequency and severity
of outbreaks. For some it may even eliminate further outbreaks.

When you have an outbreak of Genital Herpes you should take certain
precautions

• Avoid sexual activity (including oral sex)
• Avoid touching the affected area
• Take antiviral tablets
• Wash your hands regularly to avoid infecting other parts of
  your own body

Herpes Simplex is a very common and fairly harmless virus. It is estimated
that 50-80% of the world's population has a Oral Herpes and 1 in 5 adults
have Genital Herpes. Many don't even know they have it. Herpes Simplex
rarely has any complications or side effects. Do not despair if your
child has a Herpes virus. See a doctor for further advice.

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