How bad is living with herpes?

Herpes isnt deadly and it usually doesnt cause any serious health problems. While herpes outbreaks can be annoying and painful, the first flare-up is usually the worst. For many people, outbreaks happen less over time and may eventually stop completely.

Does herpes shorten your life?

Becoming infected with the herpes virus seriously complicates your social, emotional and sexual life, but it is not otherwise a terribly dangerous condition to have. Having genital herpes does make it easier to get HIV (and thus AIDS), but otherwise, the condition is not disabling, and does not reduce lifespan.

What is the death rate for herpes?

Mortality rates associated with herpes simplex virus may be as high as 60% in immunocompromised patients and 30% in immunocompetent patients, according to findings of a recent study.

Do I have to live with herpes forever?

Herpes is not a virus that goes away. Once you have it, it stays in your body forever. No medication can cure it completely, though you can control it. There are ways to relieve the discomfort from the sores and medications to reduce outbreaks.

Is herpes a disability?

The Veterans service-connected genital herpes simplex virus has been assigned a 10 percent disability rating pursuant to the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7899-7806.

Has anyone ever died of herpes?

Can you die from herpes? Both types of the herpes simplex virus can be very unpleasant but theyre not dangerous. You can not die from genital herpes or cold sores. However, the virus does pose a threat to newborn babies if they are infected during birth.

Is herpes simplex encephalitis curable?

Encephalitis involving herpes is a medical emergency. It needs to be promptly diagnosed and treated. This disease is often fatal when it is not treated. Many people who survive it have long-term problems afterward.