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:
How Do You Get A Cold Sore
Cold sores spread from person to person through close contact with an infected area. This can be through kissing or sharing food or drink with people who carry the virus. It can spread to the genitals through oral sex, which is why you should always wear protection when being intimate.
Youre more likely to catch HSV from someone who carries the virus and has symptoms, but you can also catch it from people who dont have any symptoms.
Is There A Cure Or Treatment For Genital Herpes
There is no cure for genital herpes. However, daily use of antiviral medicines can prevent or shorten outbreaks. Antiviral medicines also can reduce the chance of spreading it to others.
Though several clinical trials have tested vaccines against genital herpes, there is no vaccine currently available to prevent infection. One vaccine trial showed efficacy among women whose partners had HSV-2, but only among women not infected with HSV-1. Efficacy was not observed among men whose partners had HSV-2. Another trial testing the same vaccine showed some protection from genital HSV-1 infection, but none from HSV-2.
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How Long Do Sores From Herpes Simplex Last
If youre infected with HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes, you may notice tingling or burning around your mouth in the days before a cold sore appears. These blisters break open and ooze fluid before forming a crust. Usually, sores last for seven to 10 days.
If youre infected with HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes, your first outbreak may last between two to four weeks. Recurrent outbreaks usually last between three to seven days.
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When Treatments For Genital Herpes Are Given
- Initial treatment. If you have symptoms such as sores when you’re first diagnosed with genital herpes, your doctor will usually give you a brief course of antiviral therapy to relieve them or prevent them from getting worse. Your doctor may keep you on the drugs longer if the sores don’t heal in that time.
After the first treatment, work with your doctor to come up with the best way to take antiviral therapies. There are two options:
- Intermittent treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for you to keep on hand in case you have another flare-up this is called intermittent therapy. You can take the pills for two to five days as soon as you notice sores or when you feel an outbreak coming on. Sores will heal and disappear on their own, but taking the drugs can make the symptoms less severe and make them go away faster.
- Suppressive treatment. If you have outbreaks often, you may want to consider taking an antiviral drug every day. Doctors call this suppressive therapy. For someone who has more than six outbreaks a year, suppressive therapy can reduce the number of outbreaks by 70% to 80%. Many people who take the antiviral drugs daily have no outbreaks at all.
There is no set number of outbreaks per year that doctors use to decide when someone should start suppressive therapy. Rather, more important factors are how often the outbreaks happen and if they are severe enough to interfere with your life.
Continued
What Are The Causes Of Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the HSV virus, usually during genital or oral sex. It can also be spread through kissing, foreplay or non-penetrative sex.
- HSV1 commonly causes cold sores on the lips or face.
- HSV2 causes most genital herpes.
The HSV virus is most easily spread when there are blisters or sores, but it can still be passed even if a person has no current blisters or sores or other symptoms.
You cannot get genital herpes from things like hugging, swimming pools or toilet seats.
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A Final Word On Cold Sore Treatments And Remedies
There isnt a cure for the virus that causes a cold sore, so theres always the risk of an outbreak. But while you might be unable to completely prevent a cold sore, antiviral medication and home remedies can make living with cold sores much easier.
Learn how to recognize early signs of a cold sore, and see your doctor if you have frequent outbreaks. The sooner you get an antiviral into your system, the shorter the duration of an outbreak.
Additional reporting by Lindsey Konkel.
Who Might Get Herpes Simplex
People of any age can contract herpes simplex. You are more likely to get the virus if you:
- Were assigned female at birth.
- Have had multiple sex partners.
- Started having sex at a young age.
- Have a history of any sexually transmitted infection .
- Have a weakened immune system.
- Dont use condoms for intercourse and dental dams for oral sex.
Who gets HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes?
Anyone can get HSV-1. Most people contract HSV-1 during childhood. It spreads when an adult who has the virus has close contact with a child, such as when a family member kisses a child.
Who gets HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes?
Genital herpes affects sexually active teens and adults of all genders and races. It can spread if you have multiple sexual partners and dont use condoms or dental dams.
People assigned female at birth are more at risk. Delicate vaginal tissue can tear, making it easier for the infection to get in. Black people who were AFAB are especially vulnerable, with an estimated 1 in 2 people AFAB between the ages of 14 and 49 infected with HSV-2.
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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 Are The Treatments For Genital Herpes
If you have been diagnosed with Genital Herpes, the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service could supply the treatment you need following a simple online consultation with our UK registered GP.
Aciclovir can be provided to treat an outbreak of herpes to shorten the duration and severity. The normal treatment provided is aciclovir 200mg tablets, take one tablet five times a day for five days. In addition a local anaesthetic ointment, lidocaine 5% ointment, can be prescribed to ease the pain and irritation of an outbreak. Lidocaine will not shorten the outbreak or affect its severity.
Aciclovir can also be provided on a longer term basis to suppress herpes outbreaks. The normal treatment provided is aciclovir 400mg tablets, take one tablet twice a day for three months.
To have a convenient and confidential genital herpes consultation with our UK registered GP that could lead to prescription treatments, please click the Start questionnaire button below
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How To Get Rid Of Genital Herpes Outbreaks Quickly & Safely
There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are many over-the-counter treatment optionsas well as supplements, herbs, topical treatments, and even dietary changesthat may help clear up outbreaks faster.
In this article, Ill talk about the early warning signs of genital herpes, outline some medicines and at-home treatments for outbreaks, and information on howto heal herpes sores faster.
Ill help you understand what is safe and backed by reliable evidence.
And Ill tell you when to talk to your doctor.
What Are The Symptoms Of Herpes Simplex
Many people with the infection never experience any herpes symptoms. If you do notice symptoms, youll experience them differently depending on whether youre having your first herpes outbreak or a repeat outbreak. Recurring symptoms are usually milder than the first outbreak. Symptoms dont last as long with later outbreaks. Some people may only have one or two outbreaks during their lifetime. Others may have as many as four or five outbreaks a year.
People who do have herpes symptoms may experience:
- Cold sores around their lips, mouth or tongue. They may look crusty or like fluid-filled blisters.
- Tingling, itching or burning.
- Pain while urinating.
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Who Should Consider Taking Suppressive Therapy
Continuous suppressive treatment is particularly useful for people who are experiencing frequent or troublesome episodes of genital herpes.
If you are constantly worried about having another bout of herpes, you may find that suppressive treatment allows you to be less focused on the herpes virus. This emotional break can provide you with time to adjust to living with this infection. You may also find professional support helpful.
If you know that stress triggers a recurrence and you are experiencing significant stress, or your outbreaks tend to occur during specific situations such as holidays, then a course of suppressive therapy may be appropriate on such occasions.
The use of antiviral medicines on a daily basis as suppressive therapy can help reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to a non-infected partner.
What Are The Top Treatments For Genital Herpes
The most common prescriptions for herpes are: Acyclovir , Famciclovir , Valacyclovir . In addition to prescription medication, at-home treatments and over-the-counter medications can be used to help with genital herpes symptoms. These include: Painkillers , icing the area that are affected , getting sufficient rest, air circulation , rinsing with warm saltwater.
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Is It Safe To Breastfeed If I Have Genital Herpes
Yes as long as there isnt an open lesion on your chest or breast. If you have an active outbreak while breastfeeding, its possible to spread the infection to your nipples through touch. Careful hand-washing can prevent this spread. You shouldnt nurse from a breast that has herpes sores. You can pump breast milk until the sores heal. Dont give your baby expressed breast milk if the pump comes into contact with an open sore.
Best For Cold Sore Outbreak: Simquell Cream For Genital Herpes
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Preventing The Spread Of Herpes
Even when you do not have sores, you can pass the virus to someone during sexual or other close contact. To protect others:
- Let any sexual partner know that you have herpes before having sex. Allow them to decide what to do.
- Use latex or polyurethane condoms, and avoid sex during symptomatic outbreaks.
- Do not kiss or have oral sex when you have a sore on the lips or inside the mouth.
- Do not share your towels, toothbrush, or lipstick. Make sure dishes and utensils you use are washed well with detergent before others use them.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water after touching a sore.
- Consider using daily antiviral medicine to limit viral shedding and reduce the risk of passing the virus to your partner.
- You may also want to consider getting your partner tested even if they have never had an outbreak. If you both have the herpes virus, there is no risk for transmission.
How To Cure Genital Herpes At Home With Holistic Treatment
Herpes cant be curedyou will carry the virus throughout your lifetime. However, outbreaks can be managed. Herpes outbreaks are closely tied to how well your immune system is doing at managing the virus in your system on its own. If youve been feeling stressed, tired, or sick, your immune defenses are probably lowered . Providing your body with immune support can help your health holistically and help prevent breakouts.
- All-Natural AV Herbals: These supplements use herbs with natural antiviral properties to boost your immune system and keep outbreaks at bay. Incorporate them into your everyday routine to support whole body health or take them when you first feel an outbreak coming on to reduce the length and severity of the outbreak.
- L-Lysine: L-Lysine is a naturally occurring amino acid that works by blocking the amino acid that is responsible for multiplying the herpes virus. When used consistently, L-Lysine will block arginine and help prevent outbreaks from happening.
You can use these over-the-counter supplements in conjunction with prescription antivirals to help manage your cold sores and reduce symptoms. If you experience frequent outbreaks, talk to your doctor about what treatments and routines may work best for you.
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Protecting Your Partner And Preventing Herpes Transmission
Research shows that the single greatest fear is the fear of transmission to partners, says Dr. Handsfield.
The main ways to avoid transmitting herpes are:
- Learn to recognize how you feel when an outbreak is on the way, and stop having sex immediately.
- Dont have sex during active outbreaks.
- Always use condoms but dont rely on them during outbreaks. They dont completely cover infectious areas.
- Only after all sores have scabbed over and healed should you have sex again.
- Avoid touching your herpes sores, because you can spread them to other places on your body that way. Whenever you touch a sore, wash your hands immediately.
- Dont kiss people or have sex if you have a cold sore.
- Tell potential partners about having herpes before having sex with them, even though it may be hard.
- Ask your doctor about taking antiviral drugs regularly.
Recurrent Episodes Of Genital Herpes
Recurrences are usually less painful and shorter in duration than the first episode of genital herpes. Over time, episodes usually become less frequent and may eventually stop altogether. Infections caused by HSV1 are less likely to recur in the genital area than infections caused by HSV2.
Recurrences may be triggered by:
- no apparent reason noted.
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Using Hydrocortisone Cream For Skin Rashes
Hydrocortisone cream is a topical steroid used to treat mild inflammatory skin conditions, commonly referred to as dermatitis.
Hydrocortisone cream is available over the counter in different strengths, such as 0.5% and 1.0%. It is also available by prescription, at a strength of 2.5%.
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid, similar to a hormone produced naturally in your adrenal glands. It works by easing the swelling, itching, and redness caused by dermatitis.
Hydrocortisone is also an ingredient used in a number of antibacterial or antifungal preparations, such as in athletes foot creams and diaper ointments.
This article explains the conditions that hydrocortisone cream can treat, those it cannot, how to use the cream, and the possible side effects.
Anupong Thongchan / EyeEm / Getty Images
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