Treatment Of Primary Infection
Antiviral therapy is recommended for an initial genital herpes outbreak, especially if the patient has systemic symptoms or is immunocompromised.2 Oral acyclovir is effective in reducing symptoms1 . Intravenous administration may be required in immunocompromised patients and those with severe disseminated infection.1 Topical acyclovir reduces the duration of viral shedding and the length of time before all lesions become crusted, but this treatment is much less effective than oral or intravenous acyclovir.1
Effect of Acyclovir Treatment on Primary Genital Herpes
| Symptom/sign | |
|---|---|
|
Time until all lesions are crusted |
|
|
Time until all lesions are healed |
|
*Dosage = 200 mg five times daily for 10 days, given within six days of lesion onset.
Information from Mertz GJ, Critchlow CW, Benedetti J, Reichman RC, Dolin R, Connor J. Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of oral acyclovir in first-episode genital herpes simplex virus infection. JAMA 1984 252:114751.
Effect of Acyclovir Treatment on Primary Genital Herpes
| Symptom/sign | |
|---|---|
|
Time until all lesions are crusted |
|
|
Time until all lesions are healed |
|
*Dosage = 200 mg five times daily for 10 days, given within six days of lesion onset.
Information from Mertz GJ, Critchlow CW, Benedetti J, Reichman RC, Dolin R, Connor J. Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of oral acyclovir in first-episode genital herpes simplex virus infection. JAMA 1984 252:114751.
Famciclovir is not FDA-labeled for this indication.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Genital Herpes
Many people will have no symptoms of genital herpes which is why it often goes undiagnosed by doctors. Those who do experience symptoms may have an initial outbreak 2-4 weeks after exposure with painful sores and blisters over their genital region. The symptoms will improve slowly over a few weeks. Then, the disease may return at any time with repeated sores and blisters in a milder outbreak. Outbreaks can be brought on by different things such as stress and happen in different stages, symptoms will vary from stage to stage.
Genital Herpes: A Review
Am Fam Physician. 2016 Jun 1 93:928-934.
Patient information: See related handout on genital herpes, written by the author of this article.
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus and characterized by lifelong infection and periodic reactivation. HSV, a DNA virus, is named from its protein coat as HSV-1 or HSV-2. HSV-1 is the chief cause of orolabial herpes. Until recently, genital herpes was more likely to be caused by HSV-2. However, the incidence of primary genital infection with HSV-1 is now as common or more common than HSV-2 in the United States.1
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Type-specific laboratory confirmation of HSV is recommended in patients with clinical disease to guide counseling and management.
| Clinical recommendation |
|---|
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What Valtrex Tablets Are Used For
Valtrex tablets belong to a group of medicines called antivirals. Valtrex tablets are used for the treatment of genital herpes infection.
Valtrex tablets work by stopping the multiplication of the virus which causes herpes. They can reduce the length and severity of an outbreak of herpes, the duration of pain and shorten the time to healing of crusts associated with herpes. They do not eliminate the herpes virus from the body. The herpes virus is also known as the Herpes Simplex Virus, or HSV.
Valtrex tablets help the blisters to heal more quickly. If you start taking them as soon as you feel an outbreak starting, you may actually prevent the blisters from developing.
Valtrex tablets can also be taken long term to help prevent the HSV infection coming back.
Valtrex is more effective in patients 50 years of age and older.
Valtrex tablets can also reduce the risk of transmitting the virus that causes genital herpes in patients who are taking it continuously to prevent or reduce recurrent outbreaks. It does not cure genital herpes or completely eliminate the risk of transmission. Therefore, in addition to therapy with Valtrex, it is recommended that patients avoid contact when symptoms are present and always use condoms.
Valtrex is not a cure for genital herpes. Because genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease, you should minimise having intercourse when you have an outbreak of herpes or show any symptoms. This will avoid the risk of spreading herpes to your partner.
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Acyclovir comes as a tablet, a capsule, and a suspension to take by mouth. It also comes as a delayed-release buccal tablet to apply to the upper gum of the mouth. The tablets, capsules, and suspension are usually taken with or without food two to five times a day for 5 to 10 days, starting as soon as possible after your symptoms begin. When acyclovir is used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes, it is usually taken two to five times a day for up to 12 months. The delayed-release buccal tablet is usually applied with a dry finger as a one-time dose within 1 hour after itching, redness, burning or tingling cold sore symptoms begin but before the cold sore appears. Take or use acyclovir at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take or use acyclovir exactly as directed. Do not take or use more or less of it or take it more often or for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not chew, crush, suck, or swallow the delayed-release buccal tablets. Drink plenty of liquids, if you have a dry mouth while using the delayed-release buccal tablets.
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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.
Avoid The Following While You Are Using Acyclovir Buccal Delayed
- Do not chew gum, touch, or press the buccal tablet after it has been applied.
- Do not wear upper dentures.
- Do not brush your teeth until it dissolves. If your teeth need to be cleaned while the tablet is in place, rinse the mouth gently.
Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
Your symptoms should improve during your treatment with acyclovir. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Take or use acyclovir until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking acyclovir too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated or may become more difficult to treat. The delayed-release buccal tablet is applied as a one-time dose.
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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.
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.
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What Is The Best Medication For Herpes
The effectiveness of a particular medication varies depending on the person, so there’s no single “best” herpes treatment. Doctors prescribe the most suitable drug for each patient’s condition, medical history, and current medications. That said, here are a few of the drugs most commonly used to treat HSV:
| Best medication for herpes |
|---|
- Redness
- Swelling
This doesn’t encompass the full scope of potential side effects, just the most common ones. Anyone considering treatment with one of these medications should speak with a healthcare professional for a more comprehensive list.
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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Some Side Effects Can Be Serious If You Experience Any Of These Symptoms Call Your Doctor Immediately:
- hives
- swelling of the face, throat, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
Topical acyclovir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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.
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Side Effects Of Herpesyl
While many allergenic supplements promise to get rid of the herpes virus completely, do they have no side effects? The answer to that is No, they dont. You may face side effects of the medication you are already taking because it is not 100% herbal or organic for allergy medicine. They all contain fillers or stimulants. Some have more while some are less, but none are 100% free.
Since Herpesyl does not contain any of the above, it has no side effects and is entirely safe to use. However, the FDA does not approve it.
How To Take Valtrex Tablets
Take Valtrex tablets exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you:
- how many tablets to take at each dose
- how many doses to take each day
- when to take your doses each day.
The label on the pack will give the same information. If there is something you do not understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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What Does Herpesyl Do
The product focuses on strengthening the immune system. According to recent studies, the hidden truth about the herpes virus has been revealed to be hidden under the protein ICP-47 and undetectable to the immune system. That is why many antivirals and antibiotics such as valacyclovir and acyclovir do not destroy the virus. The product, as mentioned earlier, Herpesyl, with all-natural and harmless ingredients, has a more substantial immunity building effect, helps people fight off such viruses, and exerts vigor resistance against them. Although it takes time to dissolve into the body, it will heal the body and relieve pain.
Some people think that herpes can be hereditary because they get herpes even with one treatment, but thats completely wrong! Thats not how a virus works. If you have no physical contact with anyone and the virus is still coming back, it means that it did not leave your body in the first place. It just lurks somewhere under proteins because the drug you were taking before didnt work as it should.
As the manufacturers have stated, some of the remainders of the virus remain in some brain cells. It means virus outbreaks are coming back. Herpesyl solves this problem using several powerful ingredients to help you get better and 100% free from episodes of the virus. According to the official website, this is why its better than other alternatives that promise safety as it treats herpes outbreaks once and for all.
What If I Forget A Dose Of Aciclovir
If you forget a dose of aciclovir, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just skip the missed dose and continue with your next one as normal.
Never have 2 doses at the same time. Never have an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.
You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines.
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To Use Buccal Acyclovir Follow These Steps:
If the delayed-release buccal tablet comes off within the first 6 hours of application, reapply the same tablet. If it still will not stick, then apply a new tablet. If you accidentally swallow the tablet within the first 6 hours of application, drink a glass of water and place a new tablet on your gum. If the tablet falls off or is swallowed 6 or more hours after application, do not apply a new tablet until your next regular time.
To Use Acyclovir Cream Follow These Steps:
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How Does Herpesyl Help Get Rid Of Herpes
According to herpesyl.com, there is a two-way approach that Herpesyl takes to improve your condition and reduce the virus, although individual results may vary. For one, it attacks the virus and removes it from your bloodstream. This way, you can say goodbye to the virus and lead a healthy and lifetime.
But one big problem with this virus is that it continually re-infects its hosts. The good news is this recipe has a solution. Because, in the next step, this formula stops the virus from coming back and ruining your health again by boosting your immune health.
The immune system is the bodys defense center, protecting you from various diseases and foreign agents that enter the body and affect it and plays a useful role in fighting a prevalent illness again.
Hence, by making your immune system side-by-side strong, the Herpesyl formula can reduce the risk of getting herpes again. In fact, with a robust immune system, you can also save yourself from infections and diseases caused by other foreign agents.