When To Call A Doctor
Check in with your doctor or healthcare provider if you notice or experience any of the following:
- Worsening outbreak symptoms in spite of medicine or proper management
- Sores that do not heal after 2-4 weeks
- Frequent outbreaks
- An outbreak during pregnancy
If you have never had genital herpes before, see a medical provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment options.
Subsequent outbreaks of herpes do not always require medical care unless you notice any complications, problems healing, or become pregnant.
While there is no cure for genital herpes, a medical provider can recommend OTC and other treatments that may speed the healing time of sores, reduce the frequency of outbreaks, and relieve discomfort.
Genital herpes may feel like an embarrassing problem, but you deserve to be comfortable.
A medical doctor will not shame you, but will help you to get proper care and find relief.
You can even chat with a K Health doctor right in the app, without leaving your home.
Can I Have Sex Whilst Taking Aciclovir
During a flare up, and possibly in-between, a person with genital herpes is infectious and can spread the herpes virus to sexual partners. It is best to refrain from sexual contact during an outbreak of herpes. Using condoms provides protection from transmission, but this protection is not 100% effective.
Acyclovir For Genital Herpes
Your healthcare provider will usually prescribe acyclovir tablets or an oral suspension to treat genital herpes.
It is recommended that you begin treatment as soon as symptoms occur to speed up recovery. In most cases, patients are prescribed 200 mg of acyclovir to be taken 5 times a day, at 4-hour intervals for 5 days.
Genital herpes has a fairly high recurrence rate. One study found that 38% of patients had at least 6 outbreaks a year. Suppression therapy is usually recommended for people who suffer from genital herpes frequently.
To suppress herpes outbreaks, your doctor may ask you to take 200 mg of acyclovir up to 4 times a day, or 400 mg 2 times a day, 12 hours apart.
Common side effects of oral acyclovir include:
Serious side effects that require urgent medical attention include:
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, throat, eyes
If your immune system is very weak or this is your first genital herpes outbreak, your doctor may prescribe acyclovir cream in addition to tablets to treat the blisters.
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How To Treat Cold Sores
There are many that you can do at home to soothe the sting of a cold sore, such as:
Ice. You can numb the pain if you apply a cold compress to the sore. Donât put ice directly on your skin — that could damage it.
Pain relievers. When a cold sore really stings, you may get some relief from an over-the-counter painkiller like acetaminophen.
Over-the-counter creams. There are products available at the drugstore that can help reduce the pain of a cold sore or help keep the skin soft while it heals.
Prescription drugs. Because cold sores are caused by a virus, doctors may suggest an antiviral medication to help you heal more quickly. The antiviral drugs used to treat cold sores include acyclovir , valacyclovir , famciclovir , and penciclovir .
Sunscreen. Getting a sunburn may trigger a cold sore. Using sunscreen when youâre out in the sun may prevent it.
Aloe vera gel. The same gel used for sunburn may help a cold sore to heal. Lab research has shown the gel may help fight viruses, including herpes simplex.
Lysine. This supplement may be used sometimes to treat cold sores. It comes in a cream or in capsule form.
Propolis. This is a resin-like material made by bees from the buds of poplar and cone-bearing trees. It may be used like an ointment to treat cold sores.
Lemon balm. Some research has shown that lemon balm extract can help cold sores get better, too.
Tea tree oil. Some research has shown that this strong-smelling oil helps a cold sore heal more quickly.
How Can I Treat Herpes At Home
Certain dietary supplementsâlike lysine, vitamin C, zinc, and probioticsâcan help support your immune system and prevent or shorten outbreaks. Once an outbreak has begun, applying cold compresses, licorice root extract, lemon balm oil, manuka honey, or garlic can reduce its severity and provide symptom relief.
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What Is Genital Herpes
Herpes viruses spread from person to person, usually by unprotected sex, or sometimes by kissing or orogenital sex.
Not every sore in the genital area is caused by herpes. It is important to see a doctor or STI clinic to have a diagnosis and to be tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Do NOT self-treat with antiviral medication without getting a medical diagnosis first.
For further information see NHS – Genital herpes.
Below are photos of herpes blisters:
More from DermNet NZ.
What Are Its Symptoms
- Flu-like symptoms, including fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, tiredness, and lack of appetite
- Pain, rash and redness in and around one eye, or swelling of the cornea when it comes to herpes keratitis.
Once youve been infected, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells in your skin and its likely it will keep recurring over time.
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Is Medication Necessary For Herpes
Medication can shorten herpes flare-ups, ease symptoms, and reduce a persons chance of passing herpes on to other people. As such, doctors typically recommend that a person with herpes get treated.
However, people with no or very mild symptoms may not feel it is necessary.
A person should talk with a doctor about the benefits of getting medication for herpes.
What Happens If Herpes Is Left Untreated
Without treatment, sores and outbreaks usually heal on their own. Oral herpes is usually considered a mild infection, but complications may appear in people with weakened immune systems.
The risk of complications with genital herpes is also low, though these include inflammation, swelling, and pain. Passing HSV-2 to a newborn can be dangerous, however. Doctors may recommend a cesarean delivery to mothers with genital herpes, according to the .
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Results Speak For Themselves
Im a 23-year-old softball player. I had a HPV culture that came back positive. It was so painful to pee while having warts, especially at night. And when I did finally pee, it would run over the lesions, and it was so painful.
I used VidaroX, and it all disappeared after less than a week. I also learned that its very important to wear loose clothing, so everything can breathe. No second outbreak yet. Its been about 8 months since the first wart symptom, and Im fine so far.* Emily T, San Francisco
* These are actual customer comments about their experience with VidaroX. Names have been changed for their privacy. Your results may vary.
1. Traditional creams are onlyactive on the surface
2. HPV viruses hiding underneathare not reached
3. HPV viruses are re-activated
4. Recurrence of HPV outbreak
Is There An Over
Yes, but OTC medications are generally less effective in treating herpes than prescription ones. Abreva is an over-the-counter topical drug that many people use to treat cold sores from HSV-1, but not HSV-2. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and Tylenol are OTC drugs that reduce pain and discomfort, but they do not treat herpes directly.
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Valacyclovir Vs Acyclovir Vs Famciclovir: The Facts
Medically reviewed by Patrick Carroll, MD
There are several drugs used to treat herpes, all of which are antiviral medications. Some of the most popular, effective and widely used herpes medications currently available are valacyclovir , acyclovir and famciclovir . All of these drugs work through a similar mechanism, and all have their place in treating cases of HSV-1 and HSV-2.
In this guide, comparing valacyclovir vs. acyclovir vs. famciclovir to explain which one is the best choice for treating and managing the virus.
Where Can I Get Medications For Herpes
The most common antiviral medications used to manage herpes simplex symptoms are available by prescription. If you have symptoms such as a cold sore or genital herpes, call your doctors office. They will first diagnose if you have herpes simplex. Then they will prescribe an appropriate medication to manage your symptoms.
Only docosanol is an antiviral medication available over the counter as a cream to manage oral symptoms such as cold sores or fever blisters.
If you have mild symptoms from a recurring oral herpes infection, you may be able to use nonprescription methods or some home remedies to manage your symptoms.
Examples include:
- pain relievers such ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain
- cold compress or ice to soothe burning or itching
- zinc oxide topical cream, which may help soothe itching or burning
Before trying over the counter medications or supplements, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms.
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How Does Aciclovir Treat Genital Herpes
The aim of treatment is to reduce the severity and duration of the sores by taking antiviral medication each time a new sore breaks out. The most commonly prescribed antiviral medication is aciclovir tablets. Tablets should be started as early as possible once symptoms start, preferably within the first 24-48 hours. A course of treatment lasts 5 days.
Alternatively, people who get frequent or very severe outbreaks of their genital herpes can take preventive treatment. This involves taking 400mg aciclovir twice a day for between 6 and 12 months
Aciclovir is not the only antiviral medication. There are alternative antivirals for herpes, namely famciclovir and valaciclovir. These work in the same way as aciclovir, but are less commonly prescribed. They are NOT available from Dr Fox.
Acyclovir For Cold Sores
To treat cold sores , your doctor may prescribe acyclovir cream or an ointment containing the active ingredient.
Make sure you wash your hands before touching the infected area. Apply a thin layer of the cream up to 5 times a day, 4 hours apart. In most cases, topical treatment will last 5 to 7 days.
You should begin treatment as soon as symptoms occur. The earliest symptoms of cold sores include tingling and an itching sensation surrounding the lip. Symptoms should begin to improve within 48 hours, but it could take longer depending on the severity of the infection and when you started treatment.
Side effects of acyclovir cream include:
Get immediate medical help If you notice any of these severe side effects:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, throat, eyes
Most people who are HSV carriers may never notice any symptoms at all, whilst others may experience frequent breakouts. Cold sores recur on avergage once yearly, but if you get them very often, your doctor can prescribe oral acyclovir to help suppress the symptoms and avoid future outbreaks.
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What You Need To Know
- Fifty percent to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes.
- Oral herpes can be spread through intimate contact with someone who is infected.
- Oral herpes can be difficult to diagnose. Often confused with many other infections, it can only be confirmed with a virus culture called PCR, blood test or biopsy. PCR is the preferred test for diagnosing herpes infections.
- The best treatment for oral herpes is antiviral oral medication. Symptomatic treatment may include antiviral ointment, over-the-counter topical anesthetics or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents.
Whether you call it a cold sore or a fever blister, oral herpes is a common infection of the mouth area that is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 . Fifty percent to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 90 percent of adults have been exposed to the virus by age 50.
Once infected, a person will have herpes simplex virus for the rest of his or her life. When inactive, the virus lies dormant in a group of nerve cells. While some people never develop any symptoms from the virus, others will have periodic outbreaks of infections.
Features To Consider When Buying Cat Eye Drops
One product that cat owners should have on hand is a bottle or two of eye drops for their cats, especially if their furry friends frequently experience allergies or conditions that directly affect their eyes.
Cats that wander in and out of the house may occasionally get some irritants like dirt and dust in their eyes. Hence, even perfectly healthy cats would greatly benefit if their fur parents have readily available eye drops at home.
Since this type of medication often addresses symptoms and is not directly used for a full treatment of any ailment, they are safe to use daily. When buying, find a medication with these features to ensure that you get the best product for your furry friends:
Safe Ingredients. Examine the ingredients list and make sure that the eye drops youre getting are entirely safe to use even without a prescription from a veterinarian. One example of a safe ingredient is hypochlorous acid, a safe antimicrobial agent. Bear in mind that the use of incorrect medication may result in further irritation which we do not want to happen. If you find products that contain alcohol or bleaching agent, its best to avoid them.
Application.Find a product that is easy to apply. Some drops may come with droppers, which make it a lot easier for cat owners to administer the application of eye drops on their fur babies.
Read Also: Foods To Eat During Herpes Outbreak
Does Sleep Help Herpes
Sleep loss can negatively affect the immune system and may make someone more susceptible to a herpes infection. While a person sleeps, their body works to fight bacteria and viruses they may have been exposed to during the day.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that people aged 1864 years get 79 hours of sleep per night.
A person should try to get the recommended amount of sleep to help their body recover from a herpes infection, and they should consider speaking with a doctor if their symptoms are severe or persistent.
Related Resouruces For Herpes
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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
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What is genital herpes?
Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus that is easily passed on by sexual contact. Unfortunately, once you have contracted herpes there is no known way to cure it. However, genital herpes can be managed and suppressed effectively if you use the right genital herpes treatment which you can buy online.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 causes the STI, while herpes simplex virus type 1 causes cold sore herpes, which is most likely to break out on the lips or face. This condition can be treated with aciclovir tablets and valaciclovir tablets. While type 2 herpes simplex virus usually causes genital herpes and type 1 affects the lips or face, type 1 herpes can also cause genital herpes due to more people having oral sex.
People who have herpes often report experiencing 4 or 5 different outbreaks a year, so make sure you have measures in place to keep these periods of time as comfortable as possible.
What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
When you experience herpes symptoms, the first episode is likely to be the worst. This may include:
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
After this initial outbreak, genital herpes symptoms are likely to become less severe as your body builds up more immunity to the herpes virus.
How Is Herpes Diagnosed
The herpes virus is almost always spread through sexual intercourse, oral sex, or kissing. Although sometimes HSV-1 can spread via shared lip balm, utensils, or other items that come in contact with saliva.
In most cases, healthcare providers can diagnose herpes with a visual examination and by discussing various symptoms. If there’s any doubt, they can take a viral culture to confirm, which involves lab analysis of a swab or scraping.
“If the patient has no history of herpes simplex and is a new patient, I always do a viral culture,” says , MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of 5th Avenue Aesthetics. “Also, if I am suspicious of HSV-2 or if it is an immunocompromised patient, I will order a viral culture. I start treatment right away before results come back. These results can take one week and it is best to start treatment early.”
But again, symptoms aren’t always present. Fortunately, it’s also possible to diagnose HSV with a blood test. Your body produces antibodies to combat viruses, and doctors can use a blood sample to detect the specific antibodies that fight the herpes simplex virus.
A primary care physician can perform the examinations and tests necessary for an accurate diagnosis. However, sexual health clinics offer similar, reliable services.
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