Treatment of Genital Herpes

Like in case of other viral infections there is no cure which would eliminate HSV-2 from the body but there are some antiviral drugs that can be used to relieve the symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks and their frequency. Doctors usually prescribe either topical medications which help to relieve the symptoms or antiviral medications which prevent the replication of the virus in the body. The antiviral medications which prevent the replication of HSV-2 in the body such as acyclovir, valacyclovir and famcyclovir in a form of a pill help to control the frequency and severity of the infection. However, although mentioned antiviral medications might prevent the outbreak if the pill is taken at the right time they do not prevent the outbreaks of genital herpes in the future.

Doctors usually prescribe antiviral medications in form of pills which are taken in small doses daily only to people who suffer from frequent and severe outbreaks of genital herpes. Any antiviral therapy must be really justified because widespread use of antiviral medications could lead to development of resistance of the virus to the mentioned medications. For that reason all with milder and less frequent outbreaks of genital herpes usually get only topical creams which help to relieve the symptoms. However, antiviral creams which are applied on the affected areas are often not effective. Fortunately there is also a variety of over-the-counter medications which actually help to relieve the genital herpes symptoms but as well as prescribed antiviral medications do not eradicate the HSV-2 from the body. For that reason is important to keep in mind that HSV-2 remains in the body for life and to practice safe sex not to infect other people. If having an outbreak of genital herpes is best to avoid sexual contacts with other people, while sexual abstinence is also recommendable after disappearance of symptoms for some time. Especially careful must be HSV-2 infected pregnant women who should inform their gynecologist over their infection because if having an outbreak of genital herpes at the time of labor is necessary to deliver via caesarean section.

Treatment of Genital Herpes

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