Over The Counter Antiviral Medication For Herpes

How Is Herpes Simplex Treated

Some people have few to no herpes outbreaks and choose not to have treatment. But many people prefer to use medications that shorten outbreaks and reduce symptoms.

During an outbreak, you may use an antiviral ointment or cream to help lessen your symptoms and help them go away faster, but it only works if you start it soon after you start an outbreak. Many people with HSV-2 take daily oral medications to keep outbreaks at bay.

Your provider may prescribe a topical medication or oral medication such as:

• Acyclovir .
• Valacyclovir .

Herbs Vitamins And Other Supplements

It isnt always possible to eat foods containing the high levels of nutrients your body needs to fight genital herpes, but herbs, vitamins, and supplements can help. The following choices are known to boost immune system function and help the body combat herpes outbreaks.

Zinc. Chickpeas, pork, lamb, and wheat germ all contain high levels of zinc. Research shows that zinc ions are active against the herpes simplex virus and may even extend the time between outbreaks.

Lysine. Research is still ongoing, but recent reports suggest that daily lysine supplementation may reduce the recurrences of herpes outbreaks. Though lower doses of lysine show little effect, high doses of up to 3,000 mg a day may be beneficial.

Probiotics. Probiotics are well known for their immune-boosting abilities. Now research also shows that certain probiotic strains can limit herpes infections as well.

Vitamin B Complex. The full range of B vitamins serves many critical roles in your body, including healthy cell growth, metabolism, and energy. You need all of these functions in full force to respond to an active outbreak of herpes.

Aloe vera. Aloe vera isnt just for sunburn! Pure aloe vera offers antimicrobial, antifungal, and wound healing properties that soothe herpes symptoms and encourage rapid healing.

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

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How To Treat Ocular Cold Sores

Depending on the severity of your case, there are several different treatment options.

In some cases, your eye doctor may be able to scrape away some of the infection. However, for herpes keratitis, an antibiotic will most likely be prescribed. This can be in the form of a tablet, a gel or ointment, or even medicated eye drops.

The best eye drops for a cold sore of the eye are antiviral drops. These drops will need to be prescribed by a doctor. However, there are over-the-counter eye drops that can help with the symptoms of ocular herpes.

Dealing with those symptoms is important as it prevents the spread and growth of the virus. The less likely you are to touch your eye, the less likely it is that youll touch another area of your body and cause it to spread.

Lets take a look at some of the most popular eye drops.

Clear Eyes Maximum Strength Redness Relief

The active ingredients are Glycerine, for lubrication, and Naphazoline hydrochloride, to help with redness. While ocular herpes doesnt usually cause dryness of the eye, the lubricating properties can help you to find relief.

As a trusted brand, Clear Eyes markets this extra-strength solution as a way of getting rid of redness, itching, and burning. It also acts as a barrier, to decrease the chances of the infection spreading to other areas.

Check Pricing for Clear Eyes Maximum Strength Eye Drops on Amazon!

Visine Sterile Advanced Redness + Irritation Eye Relief

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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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What Are Your Treatment Options

There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus. Treatment focuses on getting rid of sores and limiting outbreaks.

The sores usually heal without treatment, but most people use antiviral creams or ointments to relieve the burning, itching, or tingling and speed up healing time.

Cold sore creams and patches are available over the counter from pharmacies. They are only effective, however, if you apply them at the first sign of a blister, when the herpes simplex virus is spreading and replicating. Medication can also be prescribed to treat symptoms.

Warm baths may relieve the pain associated with genital sores. If you have cancer or HIV/AIDS, or youve had an organ transplant, seek medical help immediately if you have signs or symptoms of a herpes infection.

What Are Its Symptoms

• Blistering sores
• Pain during urination
• Itching
• 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.

Also Check: What Helps With Genital Herpes Pain

How Should I Use Zovirax Topical

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin.

Start using acyclovir as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms .

Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine.

Apply only enough cream to cover the cold sore or tingly area.

Apply only enough ointment to cover the genital lesion completely. Wear a glove or a finger cot or use a cotton swab when applying the ointment to avoid spreading the virus to other body parts and to other people.

Zovirax Topical cream is usually applied 5 times daily for 4 days. This medicine ointment is usually applied 6 times daily for 7 days. Follow your doctorâs dosing instructions very carefully.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

About Genital Herpes Treatment

• Taking genital herpes treatment

  Start taking Aciclovir as soon as you feel an outbreak starting.

  Take 1 tablet 3 times a day for 5 days. Complete the course of treatment.

  If you haven’t been diagnosed with herpes previously but think you may have herpes, use our .

• Side effects of Aciclovir tablets

  A small number of people will experience some side effects when taking Aciclovir, however these are generally mild and should pass quickly. These may include headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea or tiredness.

  For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your Patient Record.

• Effectiveness of Aciclovir tablets

  This treatment is for acute outbreaks of genital herpes only.

  If taken within 5 days of the start of an outbreak, Aciclovir should shorten your outbreak by 1-2 days and make the symptoms less severe. It might even prevent the outbreak if taken early enough.

  There is no cure for herpes, so it may return. This treatment does not affect how often you get future outbreaks, or how severe they will be. However, you can minimise the inconvenience and discomfort of the outbreaks by considering herpes suppression treatment.

• How genital warts treatment works

  Aciclovir is an antiviral that works to prevent the herpes virus from multiplying. This reduces the severity of the infection.

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What Is Suppressive Treatment For Genital Herpes

Suppressive treatment involves taking medication on a daily basis to reduce the chance of a genital herpes outbreak.

Taking antiviral medicines on a daily basis also reduces the amount of virus that is shed, both when sores are present and in between outbreaks, when the skin looks normal.

Suppressive treatment does not guarantee that you will not get a herpes outbreak, but should reduce the severity and frequency of herpes outbreaks.

Over time, your immune system tends to exert better control over the herpes virus, so your doctor may suggest stopping treatment every 6 months to see whether you have any further outbreaks. Treatment can be re-started if you do have a recurrence.

Get Genital Herpes Treatment

With our same-day genital herpes treatment service, you can meet with an online doctor and get treated within minutes. Instead of going to your doctor in person you can conveniently meet with a top PlushCare doctor online and get diagnosed and prescribed any necessary medication.

Genital Herpes is a virus that is sexually transmitted and very common. About 20% of the US adult population has the infection, but many people have no symptoms and dont know they have it. Genital herpes can be diagnosed with simple testing, and while there is effective treatment, there is no known cure for the disease.

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How Are Cold Sores Diagnosed

To see if you have the herpes simplex virus , which causes cold sores, your doctor may simply examine the cold sore or may take a culture from it.

The doctor may also test blood for antibodies to the virus.

A positive antibody test only proves that you have the virus it does not indicate whether or not the virus is active or when you may have acquired it.

How Do I Choose The Best Over

Herpes is a medical condition caused by a virus and can lead to the development of painful blisters. Some forms of herpes may be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. An over-the-counter treatment is any type of medical treatment that does not require a prescription by a doctor. Over-the-counter herpes treatment options may include medications, lifestyle modifications, or herbal treatments. There is no actual cure for herpes, so any over-the-counter herpes treatment methods are aimed at reducing symptoms of the disease.

Over-the-counter herpes treatment options may include the use of pain relievers or topical preparations. Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help to ease the pain and discomfort when an outbreak occurs. Topical preparations such as creams, ointments, or gels may be useful in treating painful outbreaks as well. It is important to note that many of these products have not been FDA approved and may not be safe for all patients. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of such treatment options with a doctor.

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To Use Acyclovir Cream Follow These Steps:

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Talk With Your Doctor About Herpes Medications

Its important to first talk with your doctor before using over-the-counter products like docosanol or other home remedies.

If this is the first time you have symptoms of HSV with blisters or sores, your doctor will first diagnose if you have HSV, the type and discuss options to manage your condition. They will tell you about prescription and nonprescription alternatives to treat your HSV infection.

Tell your doctor if you have any serious health conditions including if you have a weakened immune system.

Your doctor will also tell you what you can expect with an HSV infection, how long it may last, and what do to prevent spreading HSV to others while you have an active infection.

Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions about herpes simplex virus.

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Best For Sensitive Skin: Aidance Over The Counter Medicine For Herpes

Next on the list, weve got yet another medicine that manages to win our hearts. Its the Aidance Over The Counter Medicine For Herpes and its widely considered as medicine that has the most suitable features. Further, the medicine is best for fast acting and it can get with active ingredients. Natural, organic pain free ingredients for sensitive skin mean that you dont have to worry about harsh chemicals irritating your skin or slowing down healing. Above all, the aidance over the countermedicine for herpes comes with soothing essential oils and patented activated minerals that deliver fast, targeted relief, Terragen hg formula combines the latest science with the finest natural ingredients for a truly unique and effective outbreak therapy.

Almost all buyers quickly discovered that the medicine is a very nice and softening salve but cant attest to itssssss medicinal effects. Moreover, a few also found that the medicine is used during a full blown episode. With no doubts, this medicine passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.

Top Customer Quotes:

• This takes a tiny amount and lasts for a while.
• This does facilitate healing much faster than not using it.
• Delivers what they promise.

Yup. this product does what it. says, one customer. Overall, for most customers, Pro Se product was just what they wanted.

Why We Like This:

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What Not To Do With Cold Sores

Certain habits or behaviors could trigger a cold-sore outbreak or make new cold sores appear elsewhere on your body.

Avoid triggers. This means that if you know a hot, sunny day at the beach or a lot of stress makes you break out in cold sores, try to stay out of those situations when you can. You may be able to stop it in its tracks, or at least keep it from getting worse.

Donât touch. If you pick at your cold sore, you may spread the virus to another part of your body. That will just make your outbreak worse. Keep your hands away from your mouth, and wash your hands often, especially when you touch your face.

Donât pop sores. The virus is most likely to spread after a cold sore appears and before it heals. Popping the sores may spread the virus to other parts of your body.

Donât give or receive oral sex. When you have a cold sore, you can spread it to other parts of the body, including the genitals.

Also Check: How To Control Genital Herpes Outbreaks

Specifics About Herpes Medication

• Scientifically speaking, Valacyclovir & Acyclovir are both equally effective. Valacyclovir stays in your body longer so you only have to take it once a day, whereas Acyclovir must be taken twice a day
• Valacyclovir & Acyclovir are the most effective prescription antiviral drugs approved by the FDA for herpes treatment both to treat and prevent outbreaks that occur on the mouth and/or genitals
• There are two ways to take these antiviral medications:

Antiviral Agents Prevent Viral Replication Through Their Competitive Inhibition Of Viral Dna Polymerase In Contrast Docosanol Appears To Inhibit Replication By Blocking Viral Entry Into Cells

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Herpes labialis affects 1 in 5 Americans each year and accounts for the largest reservoir of herpes simplex virus infections. The frequency of recurrence of herpes labialis has been estimated to be approximately 33%. In the United States, penciclovir is the only FDA-approved topical treatment option. Topical acyclovir is also used, but is not FDA approved. Abreva is an over-the-counter alternative to these agents. It is currently the only FDA approved nonprescription medication available for the treatment of cold sores.

Mechanism of action

Antiviral agents such as acyclovir and penciclovir prevent viral replication through their competitive inhibition of viral DNA polymerase. In contrast, docosanol appears to inhibit replication by blocking viral entry into cells. Incorporation of docosanol into the plasma membrane is believed to alter the normal membrane to inhibit the fusion of virons to the host cell. Unlike the nucleoside analogue agents, acyclovir and penciclovir, docosanol does not block replication shared by the virus and the infected target cell. This may possibly prevent the induction of drug-resistant viral mutant strains that can possible occur with the use of nucleoside analogues

Clinical Trials

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