Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Genital herpes may result in sores or blisters developing in or around the mouth or genitalia, which can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. As a result, dealing with the HSV virus can be very challenging and stressful. However, the good news is there are several effective treatments available for genital herpes
Wondering how you treat genital herpes? Is treatment different for men and women? Read more to know how you can manage genital herpes more effectively.
Herpes Treatment
There is no cure for herpes currently. However, the outbreaks can be manageable using certain treatments and drugs to reduce the unbearable pain that herpes-induced sores can cause. Typically, doctors prescribe antiviral drugs for someone with the herpes infection. Although drug therapy is not a total cure to get rid of HSV, it can relieve some pain.
Genital Herpes Treatment
Prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and home treatments are available to treat herpes symptoms. Herpes topical treatment is also available for less serious cases. However, treatment may always vary depending on the type and intensity of your infection.
Genital Herpes Treatment for Severe cases
Here are the three main herpes drugs that are frequently used to treat genital herpes: acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex). For severe cases, doctors prescribe Acyclovir which can be administered intravenously (IV) to patients.
Treatment for Recurring Genital Herpes
Your doctor will typically prescribe you a brief course of antiviral therapy (seven to 10 days) if you already have symptoms like sores during your early diagnosis of genital herpes. Initial genital herpes treatment is necessary to treat or prevent them from worsening. If your sores don’t improve within the estimated period, your doctor may decide to extend your medication.
The first option is intermittent treatment. Intermittent therapy involves your doctor giving you prescriptive drugs. If you experience another flare-up, your doctor may suggest you to keep an antiviral medication on hand. You can take the pills for two to five days as soon when you see the sores developing. Although sores will naturally heal and fade, using the medications will lessen the severity of the symptoms and expedite your recovery.
The second option is a suppressive treatment for genital herpes. Suppressive treatment is used to stop the recurrence of herpes. If you frequently experience outbreaks, you might consider taking antiviral medication, which can be found in over-the-counter pharmacies. Antiviral drugs help to manage HSV, especially when used along with your suppressive treatment. Suppressive therapy can reduce the number of outbreaks by 70 to 80 percent, especially for patients who experience it several times per year. Additionally, taking daily suppressive medication also lowers the possibility of passing the infection to your sex partner.
Genital Herpes Treatment For Women
Antiviral medicine is the most popular form of treatment for genital herpes for women. This can stop the viral growth rate within the body, and reducing the chances of infection. It can also help prevent the transmission of the virus to sexual partners. As women are more prone to contracting the virus, antiviral treatment for women is necessary to minimize and stop its spread
Genital Herpes Treatment For Men
Similar to treating genital herpes for women, men can likewise take antiviral drugs to suppress the development of the virus. Sometimes, your doctor may also recommend taking pain medications like ibuprofen to reduce pain and discomfort. Alternatively, you can wrap an ice pack in a clean towel and place it on your genitals to lessen the swelling and inflammation during an outbreak.