What Medication For Genital Herpes

Common Side Effects Of Genital Herpes Treatments

Doctors commonly prescribe antiviral medications to treat genital herpes. These medications are highly effective at preventing and reducing outbreaks, and also at preventing the spread of herpes from person to person.

But just like any other medication, antivirals for genital herpes carry the risk of certain side effects.

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Acyclovir May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:

• numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms or legs
• temporary inability to move parts of your body
• shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control
• loss of consciousness

Acyclovir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking or 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 .

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What Are The Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

The symptoms of genital herpes vary a lot. Most people have very mild symptoms or none at all.

Symptoms can vary from a mild area of irritation to more painful blisters or sores and generally feeling unwell. Common symptoms may include:

• sometimes sores on the cervix

If you are having a first episode of genital herpes, you are more likely to also feel generally unwell and have fever, headache and general bone and muscle aches.

This may last for several days, during or after which reddened areas may appear on your genitals. These may develop into painful blisters. The blisters then burst, generally to leave sores that gradually heal, usually without scarring.

The severity of this first episode varies between people, but for some it may be severe and last for up to 3 weeks if not treated. These symptoms should quickly resolve with treatment. There is effective treatment available if symptoms are problematic.

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.

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How Is Genital Herpes Diagnosed

The best way to find out if you have genital herpes is to have a sexual health check-up. This may involve a physical examination and a swab from the affected area to test for HSV. To confirm genital herpes the lab needs to find herpes simplex virus types 1 or 2 on a swab.

Diagnosis is easier if early ulcers or blisters are present.

Because it is possible to have another STI at the same time, a full sexual health check-up should be done.

Sexual contacts should be informed of the diagnosis and it may be advisable for them to have a sexual health check-up.

Other Uses For This Medicine

Acyclovir is also sometimes used to treat eczema herpeticum to treat and prevent herpes infections of the skin, eyes, nose, and mouth in patients with human immunodeficiency virus , and to treat oral hairy leukoplakia .

This medication may be prescribed for other uses ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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Prevention Of Genital Herpes

The best protection against STIs is to always use barrier protection such as condoms, female condoms and dams . Because herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact, condoms will reduce the risk of transmission, but it will not protect sexual partners completely as condoms do not cover the entire genitals.

Using lubricant with a condom during sex will also reduce the risk of trauma to the genital skin. This has been shown to reduce HSV transmission, especially in the first six months of a sexual relationship. Silicone-based lubricants are recommended.

Remember that herpes transmission can occur when symptoms are present , but may also occur even if there are no genital symptoms through asymptomatic viral shedding.

For people who have frequent episodes of genital herpes, antiviral medication, taken daily, helps to reduce transmission of herpes to a sexual partner.

Otc Herpes Treatment Today

Over the counter herpes treatment can be effectively used for controlling the Herpes virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, which is highly contagious virus. The virus cannot be cured completely, but its symptoms can be managed to avoid suffering from them. There are many options to deal with the virus including medications and ointments.

It is well known that the Herpes Virus can be in two major states: active and inactive, or dormant. When flare-ups come in the virus active state, it is very important to keep a good hygiene. Avoid touching the sores, keep the area clean and dry. You can wash the area in lukewarm water and use cornstarch on it. There are other handy things that can be used to bring some relief: ice, wearing sun block and cotton loose clothing .

The most unpleasant thing with the herpes besides its bad look is pain and itching sensation. So the main treatment here is the one that simply brings the relief. OTC or over the counter medicines for herpes and cold sores are widely available. They are fall into three main groups: one group gives relief to pain and itch and is applied in the tingling stage of cold sores other two groups prevent or slow down the cold sore lesion from aggravating. The result may vary though, since everybody has the unique health conditions and different stage of the cold sore severity.

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What Are The Treatment Options For Genital Herpes

Treatment with antiviral medication is a good idea the very first time people have an outbreak of genital herpes. Later outbreaks are often milder, and then medication isn’t always needed. Preventive treatment may be considered if the outbreaks are frequent.

Genital herpes may clear up on its own. But the symptoms are often more severe the first time you have an outbreak. Most people then use antiviral medication to relieve the symptoms and prevent complications. These medications include aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir.

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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Keep The Area Clean And Dry

Its important to keep dry any areas affected by genital herpes sores. Moisture triggers irritation and can make outbreaks even worse. Try drying outbreaks with a hairdryer on low heat settings instead of a towel. It also helps to wear cotton underwear, since cotton is gentle and absorbs moisture much better than synthetic fabrics.

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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How Do I Use Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir can be used as an episodic therapy or suppressive therapy to treat genital herpes. As an episodic therapy, valacyclovir can treat an individual breakout as it occurs, if the treatment is started within one day of noticing symptoms. As suppressive therapy, valacyclovir is taken on a daily basis to help keep breakouts from occurring. This is often recommended for people who experience frequent or severe recurrences, or would like to reduce the risk of transmission to a sexual partner. A doctor will evaluate you and determine if either approach is appropriate for you.

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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When Is Treatment Necessary

Herpes can cause blisters to form on or around the mouth or genitals. These blisters then break, forming open, painful sores that may take at least 1 week to heal.

The symptoms may clear up on their own, and they may reappear later, in what some people call outbreaks or flare ups.

Once the virus enters the body, it never completely goes away. Some triggers that can cause herpes symptoms to reappear include:

• friction in the genital area
• a weakened immune system

Doctors may prescribe one of the following antiviral medications to help manage herpes symptoms. A person can also take some steps at home to ease the symptoms, and we describe these later in the article.

Please note, the writer has not tested these products. All information is research-based.

Can You Test For Herpes At Home

Yes, there are at-home sexually transmitted infection tests for herpes.

LetsGetChecked is a health and diagnostic company that offers home laboratory testing services. The home Herpes Test checks for HSV-1 and HSV-2 by taking a blood sample from your finger.

Read more about at-home herpes tests here.

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Targets Herpes Virus On The Skins Surface And Lower Layers

ProsurX is the ONLY topical that can target HSV1 & HSV2 both on the surface and lower layers of your skin. It is the first topical remedy for outbreaks that utilizes the power of nanomedicine.All other topical products are limited to killing only the virus on your skins surface. Our anti-viral agents solve that problem and eliminate any chance of recurrent outbreaks.By using only FDA-approved ingredients, we deeply care about becoming your best and only need for outbreak treatment. Your satisfaction is guaranteed we will promptly refund the entire purchase price if you are not completely satisfied.

The Difference Between Symptoms And Side Effects

Medically speaking, a side effect is different from a symptom.

A symptom is a noticeable change in the body that indicates the presence of disease or dysfunction. Fever, cough and headache are all examples of symptoms of the flu.

A side effect, on the other hand, is a secondary, undesired negative effect usually from a treatment or medication. For example, chemotherapy drugs are intended to kill cancer cells. That’s their desired effect. But many chemotherapy patients lose their hair. This is a side effect of the chemotherapy. It’s not the reason patients take the medication, but it occurs nonetheless.

Below, we’ll look at both symptoms and side effects. We’ll discuss some common symptoms of genital herpes, possible social side effects of genital herpes, and the most common side effects of genital herpes treatments.

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Genital Herpes Guide: Treatment And Follow

• Etiology and epidemiology

Treatment and follow-up guidance for the genital herpes.

Note: This guide provides minimal information about neonatal herpes. For more information, refer to the Canadian Paediatric Society Position Statement about the prevention and management of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections.

First And Subsequent Episodes

The first genital herpes outbreak will generally be worse than the ones that follow. During a first outbreak, the appearance of lesions will often be accompanied by:

• Pain or burning with urination
• Unusual vaginal discharge

Subsequent attacks tend to be shorter and less severe. They are often preceded by genital pain or shooting pain in the legs, hip, or buttocks several hours or days before the attack.

Over time, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease and become less severe.

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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:

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.

Treatment If The Blisters Come Back

Go to a GP or sexual health clinic if you have been diagnosed with genital herpes and need treatment for an outbreak.

Antiviral medicine may help shorten an outbreak by 1 or 2 days if you start taking it as soon as symptoms appear.

But outbreaks usually settle by themselves, so you may not need treatment.

Recurrent outbreaks are usually milder than the first episode of genital herpes.

Over time, outbreaks tend to happen less often and be less severe. Some people never have outbreaks.

Some people who have more than 6 outbreaks in a year may benefit from taking antiviral medicine for 6 to 12 months.

If you still have outbreaks of genital herpes during this time, you may be referred to a specialist.

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