I have a patient with genital herpes who has been under my care in the outpatient clinic for two or three years. From his initial refusal to accept the diagnosis to his eventual acceptance of the condition, he has come to realize that some diseases are incurable but manageable, allowing for peaceful coexistence.

I recall that when he first came to my clinic, he was somewhat embarrassed. However, upon examination, clusters of small vesicles were clearly visible at the base of the penis. At that time, the hospital was able to perform antibody testing for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) and nucleic acid testing (PCR) for HSV-2 from the surface of the herpes lesions. The diagnosis was definitive, and I prescribed antiviral medication. Regarding the route of transmission, it was traced back to unprotected sexual contact approximately one week prior. When I informed him that genital herpes can be treated but not radically cured, and that it would recur periodically, he experienced a minor breakdown. He said, "I'm not afraid of spending money; as long as this disease can be cured at the root or its recurrence reduced, I'm willing to pay any amount. You have to help me find a way." I offered him words of comfort and counsel, spending about half an hour of outpatient time, until I had to conclude the consultation because subsequent patients were waiting.

After three days of medication, he returned, still preoccupied with the issues of curing genital herpes and its recurrence. I told him clearly that genital herpes will resolve on its own even without treatment. Under current medical conditions, long-term suppression of recurrence can be achieved through long-term antiviral suppressive therapy; however, there remains a possibility of recurrence once the medication is discontinued. Of course, the frequency of recurrence varies for everyone because each individual's immunity, lifestyle, and mental state are different. You can treat this condition like a common cold—simply intervene with timely medication when an outbreak occurs. Avoid sexual contact during an outbreak, especially after marriage, to prevent transmission to your spouse. Furthermore, once she becomes pregnant, it is advised to avoid sexual contact to prevent transmitting genital herpes to her during pregnancy, as this can have a significant impact on the fetus.

He pulled out a small slip of paper containing various "folk remedies" he had found online, such as specific tablets or pills, along with many folk prescriptions and home remedies I had never heard of. I advised him not to experiment with these arbitrarily. Anything ingested carries the risk of potential hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity; one should not lose the big picture for the sake of small gains.

During the first year, he experienced a recurrence approximately every three months, with each episode lasting about a week. He visited my clinic for almost every recurrence, following the same pharmacological treatment regimen. In the second year, he told me he had tried numerous folk remedies and had visited institutions claiming to offer a "permanent cure" for genital herpes, spending a significant amount of money without achieving a cure. I told him that he must trust in modern science while also acknowledging its limitations, as well as the limitations of medical practice. For some diseases, there truly are no vaccines or definitive cures; medication provided during a recurrence acts merely like a booster to facilitate rapid recovery. One must pay attention to the details of daily life and follow the necessary precautions. Perhaps in the foreseeable future, a vaccine for these herpes viruses will be developed that can truly eradicate them and prevent any further recurrence.

Perhaps he took my advice to heart, as he stopped obsessing over folk remedies and experimental drugs. He continued to see me for prescriptions whenever he experienced a relapse, and emotionally, he seemed much improved. Later on, he began consulting me through online follow-ups. He became so familiar with his condition that he knew exactly which medications he needed, effectively becoming his own doctor. He would still chat with me for a bit, and I would continue to offer him words of comfort as I always had.

Later, after I changed workplaces, he stopped visiting me in person, though he occasionally pops up on my Weibo. I suspect he has started viewing genital herpes as just a small part of his life—treating it much like a common cold—and his mindset has improved significantly. I believe this is a positive outcome: learning to coexist peacefully with a disease, using medication to manage it during outbreaks rather than obsessing over a permanent cure, and being mindful not to transmit it to partners or children. That is quite enough.