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Usually from two to eight days after contact with the virus, most often through sexual activity, small red bumps may appear on the victim's genitals. These rapidly develop into tiny painful blisters; when they burst they can pour out millions of infectious virus particles. The victim may become feverish and, in the case of women especially, experience a sharp burning during urination. In about ten days the sores heal, but the viruses do not go away. They retreat to nerves near the lower spinal cord, remaining there for the life of the victim. Under pressure of stress, menstruation or sudden change in temperature, they can return without warning—weeks, months or years after the first occurrence. Sometimes they never come back.
Herpes has been linked to cancer of the cervix, which afflicts an estimated 16,000 U.S. women in its serious form and contributes to 7,400 deaths a year. But whether herpes actually causes cancer is a matter of debate. There is no doubt that herpes can be passed on to newborn babies if mothers have an active infection at the time of delivery. Each year several hundred babies are born with herpes simplex; more than half die, and survivors often suffer permanent neurological damage. One precaution being taken by some doctors is to order caesarean deliveries, a less emotionally jarring practice than segregating mother and baby behind doors marked ISOLATION: HERPES. Recalls Rachel, 29, a California nurse who was subjected to such treatment: "I felt so dirty. I had to figure out ways to keep the grandparents away from the hospital."
At least a dozen methods have been tried, without notable success, to cure herpes. Among them: vitamin C, injections of inactive herpes viruses, fluorescent light, ether, even zinc in the diet. An ointment containing 2-deoxy-D-glucose seemed promising a year ago, but researchers are not so optimistic now. Acyclovir (ACV), an antiviral drug, looks promising, but testing is far from complete or conclusive. Smallpox vaccine has been tried unsuccessfully, and vaccines in general are viewed warily: if herpes does in fact cause cancer, some vaccines could increase the risk by increasing the number of herpes viruses in the body. That leaves only such palliative measures as keeping the affected area clean and dry and acting decisively if herpes is suspected. Says Dr. Yvonne Bryson of U.C.L.A.: "A woman should have a viral culture done immediately."
One obvious way to control the disease is abstinence from sex or at the very least a high degree of sexual selectivity. Condoms may reduce the risk of infection. One thing that will surely help is better informed physicians. Says one Seattle doctor: "A lot of women and doctors believe everything down there is a yeast infection." To reduce misinformation about herpes, the American Social Health Association of Palo Alto, Calif, distributes a newsletter called The Helper and is setting up HELP chapters around the U.S.