Medication and education offer strong defenses that can significantly mitigate the effects of this incurable infection. Show
By Milly DawsonMedically Reviewed by Justin Laube, MD Reviewed: September 27, 2022 Medically Reviewed Genital herpes is an incurable, chronic infection caused by either one of two herpesviruses: herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Both may be spread through sexual contact. Treatment for genital herpes must address the lifelong nature of the illness. “Herpes can be managed, with a person being able to lead a normal life and without the impact that people are often afraid of,” says H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington Center for AIDS and STD in Seattle. Antiviral drugs are the backbone of treatment for genital herpes. Antiviral medications can: While not everyone who has genital herpes chooses to take medication, antiviral drugs offer benefits to most people who have herpes symptoms.
If you are infected with genital herpes, your doctor may prescribe oral antiviral drugs to help ease your symptoms during both a first episode and recurrent episodes. Your doctor may also suggest taking antiviral drugs daily as a suppressive therapy to reduce symptoms and protect partners. Remember, though, that antiviral drugs do not wipe out the virus completely. It continues to live in your body, so if you stop taking the drugs that suppress it, you may have more frequent or more intense symptom outbreaks, and the risk of your transmitting the virus to others rises. Three antiviral drugs, all taken by mouth, are used to treat genital herpes:
Treating a First Outbreak of HerpesA 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 (CDC) recommends that everyone who has a first episode of genital herpes take antiviral drugs. (1) 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.
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 (called the prodrome) that comes before some outbreaks. During the prodrome, you may feel 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.
Most people with genital herpes can manage the condition without much disruption to their daily lives. In some fairly rare cases, though, the disease can cause severe pain or illness that demands hospitalization and intravenous acyclovir therapy. One rare complication of herpes is hepatitis, which can lead to liver failure and even death. Herpes simplex virus hepatitis is more common among people with a compromised immune system and in pregnant women. (2) Although at times it’s been said that the herpesvirus causes cancer, there is no good evidence to support the idea that the types of herpesviruses that cause genital herpes are associated with cancer.
“Research shows that the single greatest fear [for people with genital herpes] is the fear of transmission to partners,” says Dr. Handsfield. The main ways to avoid transmitting herpes are:
If you have genital herpes, it’s important for you to get educated about herpes and have the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment. Becoming informed will help you learn to cope with the illness. It will also help you prevent sexual transmission of the illness, or transmission to an infant during a pregnancy. “Herpes has a tremendous psychosocial overlay. But knowledge about it and understanding about how well it can be managed can reduce that,” says Handsfield. Your doctor may be able to provide you with all the information you need, or you may choose to seek counseling from a mental health professional or at a clinic that specializes in sexual health, such as Planned Parenthood. If you have a regular sexual partner, that person should also have the chance to learn about herpes and ask any questions they may have about it.
Researchers are working on new treatments for genital herpes and strategies to prevent transmission. Microbiocides, which are antimicrobial chemicals that can be applied to the vagina, offer one possible approach to protecting uninfected women. These substances block infection by destroying bacteria or viruses before they enter the body. Two microbiocide products may show some promise for preventing the spread of herpes in the future, although more research is needed:
Although there have been several clinical trials that tested vaccines against genital herpes, there is no vaccine currently available to prevent infection. There is ongoing research though, and researchers are exploring using mRNA vaccines. (5) NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Sexual Health Newsletter!Enter your email By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Additional Sources
Show Less The Latest in HerpesThe experimental shot activates rare immune cells that may protect against the quickly changing virus, a study found. What Are Your Odds of Getting HIV?Learn about the risk of getting HIV from anal sex, vaginal sex, oral sex, or shared needles — and the best ways to prevent transmission. By Becky UphamDecember 2, 2022What Is Syphilis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and PreventionBy Brian P. DunleavyDecember 1, 2022When Stress Triggers a Herpes Outbreak, These Complementary Therapies May Calm It DownA healthy lifestyle and the right supplements may offer relief from genital herpes. By Milly DawsonSeptember 28, 2022Living With Genital HerpesIt can be a jarring diagnosis, but there are several steps you can take to help keep life on an even keel. By Milly DawsonSeptember 27, 2022Genital Herpes Causes: HSV-1 and HSV-2Understanding the different paths of a potential infection can help you manage your risks. By Milly DawsonSeptember 27, 2022Genital Herpes Symptoms and DiagnosisLearn how to spot the signs, understand the differences between virus types, and determine the best treatment options. By Milly DawsonSeptember 10, 2022How Do I Know if I Have Herpes or Something Else?Genital herpes can resemble several other diseases and skin conditions. Here’s how to tell if you have the virus. What helps heal genital herpes faster?Genital herpes cannot be cured. Antiviral medicine (acyclovir and related drugs) may relieve pain and discomfort and help the outbreak go away faster. It may also reduce the number of outbreaks. Follow your provider's instructions about how to take this medicine if it has been prescribed.
What can I take for a genital herpes outbreak?Antiviral medications — Three antiviral medications are used to treat genital herpes: acyclovir (Zovirax®), famciclovir (Famvir®), and valacyclovir (Valtrex®). They are usually taken by mouth (in pill form). Acyclovir (Zovirax®) is the oldest and least expensive antiviral medication.
Is there an over the counter treatment for genital herpes?There is only one OTC FDA-approved cream, called Abreva®, which has been clinically proven to help speed the healing process.
|