Genital herpes patients surveyed

Many people with genital herpes are in the dark when it comes to their knowledge of treatment options, according to a new research presented at the annual International Congress of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Berlin.

The research revealed that 60 percent of genital herpes patients are dissatisfied with their current treatment yet remain ignorant of alternative choices of therapy which may benefit them.

This may be related to the lack of information sources and low awareness of support networks available to them, as revealed by the same research.

The situation was revealed by an international survey conducted among genital herpes patients living in Australia, France, Greece, Italy, South Africa and Sweden.

Patients surveyed were using a range of different treatments which varied according to local prescribing practices. Fifty-five percent of the respondents were using episodic anti-viral therapy, treating each episode of genital herpes. Only 22 percent took their treatment on a daily continuous basis to help suppress or prevent episodes, known as "suppressive therapy."

Those who were using suppressive anti-viral therapy were significantly more satisfied regarding all aspects of their treatment than those using episodic therapy. Main benefits perceived were relief of symptoms and fewer episodes.