Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Acyclovir is used to decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters in people who have varicella , herpes zoster , and first-time or repeat outbreaks of genital herpes . Acyclovir is also sometimes used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes in people who are infected with the virus. Acyclovir is in a class of antiviral medications called synthetic nucleoside analogues. It works by stopping the spread of the herpes virus in the body. Acyclovir will not cure genital herpes and may not stop the spread of genital herpes to other people.
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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.
What Happens If You Dont Get Herpes Treatment
The good news about herpes is that its not deadly or even very dangerous. It might be annoying, but herpes doesnt get worse over time or cause serious health problems like other STDs can.
If you dont get treated for herpes, you might keep having regular outbreaks, or they could only happen rarely. Some people naturally stop getting outbreaks after a while.
There are a few reasons people may decide not to get treatment. They might not have that many outbreaks, or their outbreaks dont really bother them. Or maybe theyre not having sex, so theyre not that worried about having herpes right now. Whatever your situation is, getting treatment for herpes is your choice.
Having herpes can make it easier to get HIV, because the sores give HIV an open pathway into your body. So always use condomsto help prevent the spread of both herpes and HIV.
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One Option For Ongoing Therapy: Taking Drugs Regularly
Some people with genital herpes choose to take antiviral medication daily to reduce the number of symptom outbreaks they have. In some cases, daily therapy prevents outbreaks completely.
Numerous studies over the years have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of all three of the approved antivirals used to treat genital herpes.
Studies have also shown that daily antiviral therapy reduces the rate of transmission from an HSV-2 infected person to an uninfected partner of the opposite sex.
Daily therapy also lowers the odds of infecting other people if you have multiple sex partners or if you are a man who has sex with men.
The drugs work both for people who have had herpes symptoms and for those whose blood tests show they have an HSV-2 infection but who have never had symptoms.
Some people choose to take antiviral drugs only as needed, for outbreaks that occur after the first one. For this to work, you need to start taking the medicine within one day of sores cropping up or during the time period that comes before some outbreaks.
During the prodrome, you may feel
- Burning in the area where the virus first entered your body
- Itching or tingling in that area
- Pain in your back, buttocks, thighs, or knees
Your doctor will probably give you a prescription you can fill and keep handy for timely use, and tell you to start taking the drugs just as soon as symptoms begin.
Understanding Herpes With H Hunter Handsfield Md
Herpes expert H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, explains the basics about genital herpes, including the difference between genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection, testing options and the importance of knowing virus type, and the three-prong strategy for prevention. See more herpes videos at sexualhealthTV.com.
Have a question about herpes youd like Dr. Handsfield or our other experts to answer? Visit our Ask the Experts page to learn how.
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Home Remedies For Cold Sores
These do-it-yourself treatment regimens wont reduce the duration of a cold-sore outbreak, according to experts, but they may lessen symptoms. Here are a few to try:
Cooling relief. To ease the sting and reduce redness and swelling, apply a small bag of ice or a cold pack to the affected area. The American Academy of Dermatology recommended holding a cool, wet towel to your lip for 510 minutes a few times a day.
But dont share your cold pack and towel, because you could inadvertently transfer the virus to someone else.
Lysine. Lysine is an essential nutrient that can be taken as a supplement or applied topically as an ointment to prevent and treat cold sores.
Its inexpensive, and its pretty darn safe, said Dr. Brodell. Still, as of April 2022, research on its effectiveness was mixed. A 2017 review published in Integrative medicine found there wasnt enough research on the effectiveness of lysine for the treatment of cold sores.
People with heart or gallbladder conditions should be especially aware of the potential risks of lysine supplementation.
OTC pain meds. Consider taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the pain of your sores, suggested the AAD. But if your child has cold sores, consult your pediatrician before using these medicines for pain relief.
A topical pain reliever. Dabbing an anesthetic gel or cream on cold sores can provide relief by numbing sensitive nerve endings.
So How Should I Treat Oral Herpes
Antiviral pills are your best choice for treating oral herpes. They are more reasonably priced and are effective. Antiviral therapy can quickly heal lesions if the medications are used in the first 72 hours after a lesion appears.
If you have persistent oral herpes infections, taking 1 of these 3 antiviral medications at the very start of a herpes outbreak is your best chance to relieve pain and shorten the outbreak:
-
2000 mg twice in 24 hours shortens healing time and duration of pain.
-
1500 mg , taken at once, also shortens healing time and pain duration.
-
400 mg 5 times a day for 5 days reduces pain duration but doesnt shorten healing time.
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How To Use Zovirax
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 5 times a day. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless your doctor directs you otherwise.
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
This medication works best when started at the first sign of an outbreak, as directed by your doctor. It may not work as well if you delay treatment.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, dosage is also based on weight.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished. Do not change your dose, skip any doses, or stop this medication early without your doctors approval.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
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Treatment For Genital Herpes
There are three antiviral medications that are FDA-approved for the treatment of genital herpes:
- Acyclovir: The oldest antiviral medication for herpes is acyclovir. It has been available since 1982 in a topical form and sold since 1985 in pill form. Acyclovir has been shown to be safe in persons who have used it continuously for as long as 10 years.
- Valacyclovir: A newer drug, valacyclovir, actually uses acyclovir as its active ingredient. This medication delivers acyclovir more efficiently so that the body absorbs much of the drug, which has the advantage of taking the medication fewer times during the day.
- Famciclovir: Famciclovir uses penciclovir as its active ingredient to stop HSV from replicating. Like valacyclovir, it is well absorbed, persists for a longer time in the body, and can be taken less frequently than acyclovir.
Antiviral medication is commonly prescribed for patients having a first episode of genital herpes, but they can be used for recurrent episodes as well. There are two kinds of treatment regimens: episodic therapy and suppressive therapy.
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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.
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What Are The Treatments For Cold Sores
You can’t cure HSV or a cold sore, but you can alleviate the pain it causes by avoiding spicy or acidic foods, applying ice, and using over-the-counter remedies. Look for medicines that contain numbing agents such as phenol and menthol to reduce cracking and soften scabs. Abreva is an over-the-counter topical remedy used to help speed healing and minimize pain from a cold sore. It must be used many times a day to speed the healing.
If your cold sore is especially painful or irritating, your doctor may prescribe an anesthetic gel to alleviate pain or an antiviral oral medication to speed healing or prevent recurrence. The antiviral medicines available for treatment include acyclovir , famciclovir , and valacyclovir . These oral medications are more effective when started within the first 48 hours of the outbreak. Valacyclovir is more expensive, but is better absorbed in the digestive tract and therefore more reliable. Acyclovir and another antiviral medication called penciclovir also come in a topical form.
Cold sores can become complicated by a bacterial infection, so it is also important to keep them clean by washing gently with soap and water as needed.
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Best For Mouth Ulcer: Durhams Bee Farm Inc Over The Counter Medicine For Herpes
Next on the list, weve got yet another medicine that manages to win our hearts. Its the Durhams bee farm, inc. over thecounter medicine for herpes and its widely considered as medicine that has the most suitable features. The Durhams bee farm, inc. over the counter medicinefor herpes stays in place and it has baking soda. . In addition, this helps to prevent it and it works as advertised.
The medicine works for big ones, is great for home remedies and it worked great. And, the medicine is best for customer service and it has to follow the directions. Finally, the Durhams bee farm, inc. overthe countermedicine forherpes works great and it hurts like hell.
Most customers found that the medicine is the best stuff ever for canker sores. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the medicine does not expire but the best by date is 3 years from the date manufactured. Also, they also found that this is zilactin without the numbing medication in a bigger bottle.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This will go away quickly and works for all aphthous ulcers.
- This is going to require 8+ drops.
- This can be and how much the pain affects daily life.
- This will not take a lot of canker-rid to apply to the affected area.
Simple Treatments For The Relief Of Discomfort
- Wear loose underclothes, preferably cotton , to help minimise discomfort and allow healing.
- Use plain water or saline solution with cotton wool to clean and soothe the area. To make a saline solution, use 1 teaspoon of salt in 600ml of water or a handful of salt in a shallow bath.
- Dont use scented soaps, bubble bath, etc in the area, as these may irritate it.
- Using a hairdryer on its lowest setting to dry the area may be more comfortable than using a towel.
- Pain relief medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen may ease the pain. Check with your pharmacist or other health professional whether taking these is suitable for you.
- Ice wrapped in a face cloth or flannel and placed over the sores for 510 minutes may be soothing. Dont apply ice directly to the sores as this can cause ice burn.
- If you find peeing painful, try applying Vaseline® to the area or sitting in a warm bath before urinating or using a pump bottle full of water and spraying water on yourself while peeing.
- You can also try applying a pain relief cream such as lignocaine cream to the painful area. This is applied 5 minutes before peeing and should be used for a maximum of 12 days.
- Drink plenty of fluids as this dilutes your pee and may help reduce stinging.
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Other Cold Sore Treatments
Beyond patches, creams, and gels, other over-the-counter medications and home remedies may help reduce cold sore symptoms. These include:
- OTC pain medications: Drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help reduce the pain and swelling of a cold sore.
- Cold compresses: These may also help with pain or discoloration. A person can make a compress by covering an ice pack in a cloth and holding it against the affected area.
- Kanuka honey: A 2019 study suggests that Kanuka honey may be as effective as antiviral medication for treating cold sores.
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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How Far Away Is A Cure For Herpes
Theres currently no cure for herpes, but that might change in the future.
According to 2020 research published in Nature, scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center removed 90 percent of the HSV-1 virus from cells in mice using gene editing.
However, it takes time to transition potential treatments from animals to humans. In a 2020 news article, one of the researchers that authored the Nature paper estimated that it would be at least 3 years before human trials.
Scientists are also researching the possibility of creating a vaccine to prevent herpes. A 2022 study outlined a new approach to developing an mRNA vaccine for herpes. The vaccine mentioned in the study worked well in mice and guinea pigs.
The researchers say that theyre aiming to conduct human trials before the end of 2022, and the vaccine could be available within the next 10 years.
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Camphophenique Otc Medicine For Herpes
The camphophenique OTC medicine for herpess superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The camphophenique OTC medicine for herpes comes with tea tree and it has tea tree oil. . Also, it is oral and cost effective.
The medicine is best for fast acting and it is safe to say. Above all, the camphophenique OTC medicinefor herpes is used for canker sores, relieves pain and many more.
Most customers found that the medicine has sped up the healing process. Further, they say that the OTC is for external use only per package instructions. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the second stage without no medication works because it s in full effect everything, which means it will be more plump and full of pus. To sum up, buyers found this to be one of the best OTC for daily purposes.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This is the only thing that works and relieves.
- This is perfect to sooth the stinging.
- This gel, on the other hand, started showing results quickly.
- Helps prevent infection to promote healing.
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How Long Does Genital Herpes Last
As there is no cure for genital herpes, the virus stays in the body even after the signs of the infection have gone away.
Outbreaks themselves can last for up to two to three weeks, and the initial outbreak, often considered the most severe, could last up to four weeks. After the sores develop, they break open and fluid is released. When the sores scab over, the healing process is underway. Blisters do not typically leave any scars.
Subsequent outbreaks tend to become less severe and generally pass within a few days. Antiviral medication helps to speed up the recovery time, shorten the length of an outbreak, as well as helping to ease symptoms.