Genital Herpes Treatments Over The Counter

What Helps Herpes Sores Heal Faster

Keeping the sores clean, cool, and dry is beneficial to the healing process. Bandaging, heating, or picking at sores will irritate them and can extend their duration. The most effective method for shortening herpes outbreaks is a prescription antiviral medication like valacyclovir, famciclovir, or acyclovir.

How Effective Is Herpes Medication

Antiviral herpes medication will not cure oral or genital herpes infections. However, suppressive therapy significantly ameliorates its symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that this treatment can reduce genital herpes outbreaks by 70%-80% in patients that frequently experience them.

Can I Treat Herpes Simplex At Home

Avoiding known triggers, such as illness or stress, can help reduce how often you have herpes outbreaks.

How can I ease my symptoms during an outbreak of HSV-1 ?

• Over-the-counter creams such as L-lysine, benzocaine or docosanol .
• Applying ice to blisters or sores.

How can I ease my symptoms during an outbreak of HSV-2 ?

• Apply an ice pack to your genitals. Wrap the ice pack in a washcloth or apply it over your underwear.
• Keep your genitals dry. Wear cotton or other nonsynthetic underpants and avoid tight-fitting clothes. Moist sores take longer to heal.
• Soak in a warm bath.
• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain.
• Topical 1% or 2% lidocaine may be used as a topical analgesic.

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What Else Can I Do To Help With A Genital Herpes Outbreak

As well as taking medication to help with symptoms, you can also try:

• using an anaesthetic gel to numb your skin and ease any pain
• soaking the affected area with plain or salt water
• applying Vaseline to the affected area
• drinking plenty of fluids
• wearing loose clothing
• taking pain relief medications, like paracetamol or ibuprofen

The symptoms of herpes outbreaks will usually go away by themselves within 10 days as your immune system fights the infection on its own. You might find the sores painful during that time, so medication can help you by clearing up the infection more quickly.

If youd like to speak to one of our doctors about your symptoms, you can book a telephone consultation. Theyll be able to provide personalised advice on how to cope with genital herpes.

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How To Place An Order

In order for you to place an order, please click below and fill in the online consultation you will then be given a choice of products before clinically assessed by one of our GMC registered doctors.

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.

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Treating A First Outbreak Of Herpes

A first outbreak of genital herpes can cause a long illness with severe genital sores and can also affect the nervous system. Even if your first episode of herpes is mild, you may have severe or prolonged symptoms later. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone who has a first episode of genital herpes take antiviral drugs.

Almost everyone who has one episode of genital herpes caused by HSV-2 also has later breakouts of sores. Later episodes are less common if your case of genital herpes is due to an HSV-1 infection.

The frequency of genital herpes outbreaks slows down over time in many people.

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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Can You Get Genital Herpes Treatment Over The Counter

No, you cannot buy genital herpes treatment over the counter. You will need a prescription in order to purchase medication.

If you have been diagnosed as having genital herpes or had a positive result from a herpes test kit, you can buy herpes treatment online after completing a short medical questionnaire.

Our process is 100% confidential from start to finish. As long as our clinicians authorise that it is safe for you to be prescribed with a specific course of treatment, we will post the medication out to you in plain, non-identifiable packaging the very next day.

If you havent found an answer to your question here, why not take a look at our genital herpes FAQ article for more information.

Is There A Cure Or Treatment For Herpes

Theres no cure for the herpes virus yet. A herpes vaccine doesnt currently exist, as the herpes virus has more complicated DNA than most infections, creating challenges for researchers.

However, medication can help with symptoms, like sores, and outbreaks. Medication also lowers the risk of transmission to others. You can take most medications for herpes orally, though you may also apply some as a cream or receive them by injection.

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How Are Initial Outbreaks Treated

Antiviral medications can help to control the symptoms and shorten the duration of initial herpes outbreaks by 2 to 4 days. The treatment of an initial outbreak should be started within the first three days the earlier, the better.

The medications are taken as tablets. The number of tablets per day depends on the active ingredient and the dose. The World Health Organization recommends the following doses and amounts for treating an initial outbreak:

• aciclovir: 200 mg five times per day or 400 mg three times per day,
• famciclovir: 250 mg three times per day, or
• valaciclovir: 500 mg two times per day.

The WHO recommends that the treatment last ten days.

These three medications are about as effective as each other. Aciclovir is the most commonly used because doctors and patients have the most experience with this medication.

When Is Preventive Treatment Considered

Some people have outbreaks of genital herpes very often or experience especially severe symptoms. Then it may be a good idea to take antiviral medication for a longer time including during symptom-free phases. The goal is to prevent further outbreaks and to keep the symptoms from becoming so severe. Also, the antiviral medication reduces the likelihood of infecting others. As preventive treatment, the WHO recommends the following:

• aciclovir: 400 mg two times per day,
• famciclovir: 250 mg two times per day or
• valaciclovir: 500 mg once per day.

Research shows that preventive treatment can considerably lower the risk of further outbreaks. The people participating had four or more herpes outbreaks per year before the start of the studies, and then took an antiviral medication or a fake treatment for up to one year. A comprehensive analysis of the study results shows that

• 96 out of 100 people who took a placebo had at least one further outbreak of genital herpes.
• 46 out of 100 people who were given antiviral medication had at least one further outbreak of genital herpes.

In other words, the medication prevented further outbreaks in 50 out of 100 people within one year.

People with very frequent herpes outbreaks also benefited from preventive treatment: In one study involving people with very frequent outbreaks, the medication lowered the number of episodes in one year from 11 to 2.

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How Herpes Is Spread

You are most likely to spread herpes when you have a herpes sore or blister. But many people have time periods when they can still spread the virus even though they dont have symptoms.

And some people spread the infection because they dont realize that they have a herpes sore. Or they may have different symptoms, such as painful urination, that they dont realize are part of an outbreak.

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Is There A Cure For Herpes Simplex

There is no cure for herpes simplex. Once you have the virus, its a lifelong infection.

What is the outlook for people with herpes simplex?

For many people, the first herpes outbreak is the most severe. Many outbreaks are less frequent and milder after the first year of infection. Some people may have only one outbreak and never have another again.

Herpes infection doesnt usually pose a serious health risk. The risk of a health complication due to herpes is higher in infants and if you have HIV/AIDS, cancer or an organ transplant.

Order Antiviral Treatments For Herpes

If you have genital herpes, you can get an online prescription for antiviral herpes medication discreetly and easily. Our doctor’s prescribe aciclovir, valaciclovir or famciclovir via our online service.

Order for a herpes outbreak: if you have a flare-up of symptoms, you can get a short course of medication to help control the outbreak.

Order to prevent outbreaks: if you get outbreaks more than 6 times a year or find your symptoms are hard to deal with, you can have suppressive treatment. This is where you take a low dose of antiviral medication every day to help prevent outbreaks.

Order a herpes test: if you need to check if youre a carrier of herpes, you can order a herpes test online now.

Click & Collect: free Next Day Delivery: £3.99Dispensing and standard delivery included.

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Over The Counter Medication

Antiviral medications including tablets and creams require a prescription. This is because a doctor needs to make sure that the treatment is suitable for you, that you get the right dose for your symptoms, and that you have been diagnosed with genital herpes. This means you cannot get medication to treat genital herpes over the counter.

You can get lidocaine 5% ointment over the counter, which can help numb the affected area. You can use over the counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen to help with genital herpes symptoms.

How Do You Catch Genital Herpes

The HSV-1 and HSV-2 types of herpes simplex are found in bodily fluids including semen, saliva and vaginal secretions.

You can become infected with genital herpes:

• If your genitals come into contact with an infected persons genitals, even if there is no penetration or ejaculate present
• Oral sex with someone who has a cold sore. The cold sore contains the herpes simplex virus, which may be transmitted to your genitals

You cannot catch genital herpes from:

• Kissing, hugging or sharing a bed with an infected person
• Toilet seat or swimming pools
• Objects such as towels, cups or cutlery

This is because the virus is not able to survive well outside of the human body.

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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

You may want to ask your healthcare provider:

• What is the best treatment for me?
• What happens if I dont treat a cold sore?
• What are the side effects of antiviral medications?
• How can I reduce the risk of future outbreaks?
• Whats the best way to prevent getting another STI?
• How can I protect my partner from getting genital herpes?
• Should I lookout for signs of complications?

How Has My Partner Caught Genital Herpes

If your partner has only just been diagnosed with genital herpes, this does not necessarily mean that they have been unfaithful to you or sexually promiscuous in the past.

• Your partner may have caught genital herpes from you. You can carry the virus without knowing you have it as some people have no symptoms.
• It is also possible that your partner caught the virus from a cold sore on your mouth or face during oral sex. You can pass the virus on even if you don’t have a cold sore at the time of contact.
• Your partner may have contracted the virus from a previous sexual partner, even several years ago. The virus can remain inactive in your body for long periods.

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Herpes Treatment In Pregnancy

Many women with genital herpes before pregnancy can expect to have a normal vaginal delivery and a healthy baby. If you get genital herpes and are pregnant, there is a risk your baby could get a rare illness called neonatal herpes. Your baby can be given antiviral treatment if this happens.

The risk of your baby getting neonatal herpes is low if you have already had a genital herpes outbreak before. This risk is increased if this is your first outbreak. You should speak to your doctor or midwife straight away if you have or get genital herpes and are pregnant. You can take antiviral medications such as aciclovir or valaciclovir which can:

• treat a genital herpes outbreak during pregnancy
• be taken from the diagnosis of genital herpes until the birth of your baby, if you get herpes after 28 weeks into your pregnancy
• be taken from 36 weeks of pregnancy as a suppressive treatment, to reduce the chance of a genital herpes outbreak during birth

You can still have a vaginal delivery but you may be offered a caesarean depending on your circumstances.

Over The Counter Cream For Herpes Is Effective

The most common OTC for herpes is a cream. An over the counter cream for herpes is quite effective remedy which is not very costly. Creams and topical ointments can reduce the intensity of the sores and accelerate the healing process. There are anesthetic cold sore ointment such as Dynamiclear and Herpecil-L which protect his lip area, and reduce the chance of possible outbreak. To relieve pain Neosporin and Polysporin are used. An antiviral medication, Docosonal, is even available without prescription it helps greatly to those suffer from oral herpes to recover.

If you need more choice for the herpes cream over counter, there are some other names:

Penciclovir heals HSV-1 sores, and it take like a half a day faster than if they are healed without treatment. It stops viral shedding and reduces the duration of pain. It is good to apply the cream during the first hour since the symptoms appeared. The treatment usually takes four days, and should be reapplied every 2 hours while awake.

The only FDA-approved non-prescription ointment for oral herpes is Docosanol cream . It is used 5 times a day from the first sign of symptoms.

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