Transcript: If you have herpes, you aren't alone. 500,00 of this contagious disease are diagnosed every year. So what happens after your diagnosis? Once you are diagnosed with the sexually-transmitted virus sex, your doctor will focus on several things: Clearing up your sores and preventing new ones from developing, counseling you regarding how to prevent its spread, and offering testing for other STDs. While herpes can manifest itself as sores on the mouth or eruptions on the genitals, the later is the focus of aggressive treatment. During a genital herpes outbreak…AND in the seven days following…it is important to abstain from all sexual acts, as the virus is particularly contagious at this time. However, genital herpes can be contagious at all times, even when a lesion isn’t present. To promote the fastest healing of the blisters, don’t pop or touch them and wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear and clothing. You should also be sure to wash your hands thoroughly every time you touch your genitals, to avoid spreading the virus to other people or to other parts of your body. During a herpes outbreak, your doctor will generally provide one of three antiviral medications to help speed healing time: Zovirax, Famvir or Valtrex. Each of these medications, which are taken orally, work to prevent the DNA-replication of the virus that keeps herpes active. After the first treatment, your doctor will work with you to come up with the best way to treat and prevent recurring outbreaks of genital herpes. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe an intermittent treatment, whereby you’ll keep an antiviral medication on hand and begin taking it when you feel the onset of an outbreak. If you have outbreaks more than six times a year, or if you wish to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to your partner, your doctor may recommend suppressive treatment, where you take an antiviral medication every day to reduce the likelihood of developing sores. Aside from medication, your doctor may recommend some easy lifestyle changes that can help reduce occurrences of outbreaks. Eating a diet high in the amino acid lysine and low in the amino acid arginine has been shown to lower the frequency of outbreaks. Foods like yogurt, cheese, bean sprouts, fish, and chicken all meet this criterion. Many people experience “triggers” that can lead to a herpes outbreak. Some common examples include extreme stress, exposure to sunlight, illness, intense sexual activity, or even certain foods, like chocolate. It may help to take note of what factors seem to trigger your attacks, and to avoid them whenever possible. Protect your partner from the spread of the disease by using a condom and taking antiviral medications. But note that while this combination affords better protection than condom use alone, the only guarantee against genital herpes transmission is abstinence. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who has genital herpes, please talk to your doctor about the treatment option that is right for you.