n a baby is born to a woman who has active genital herpes lesions, the infant is at high risk of contracting an infection that is often fatal, so these women usually have their babies delivered by a cesarian section. Primary cases of genital herpes can be treated by a drug called acyclovir, which was approved in 1982 and in another form, that is to be taken orally rather than used in an ointment form, in 1984. It also has been proving useful against recurrent attacks. The virus can also invade the central nervous system, or CNS, especially in people who are weakened by other diseases, such as cancer, causing a severe case of encephalitis. Early treatment of herpetic encephalitis with the drug acyclovir can prevent death and brain damage in many cases. How can herpes be prevented? Because the disease is transmitted most often through bodily fluids, the simpliest protection is to simply protect yourself. During "Herpes," page 3 sex, one of the partners should definitely be wearing a condom, and that alone will greatly cut down an individual's chances of acquiring the virus of herpes-simplex type-2. ...
