How long can you live with herpes?

Since there is no cure for herpes, people with the diagnosis must learn to live with it for their lifetimes, WebMD reports. However, the site notes that there are coping strategies for dealing with the disease.

People who receive a herpes diagnosis should realize that it is very common, that it is not fatal and that it does not cause serious health problems later in life, WebMD notes. Some people with herpes may need to take medication routinely to suppress outbreaks, while others may need it only during a flare-up. Symptoms tend to calm with time, and the first outbreak is typically the worst.