Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is thought that over 1 in 6 people between the ages of 14 and 49 have the disease in the United States. It is caused by two types of virus: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
It can be difficult to know if someone has herpes because the disease often shows no symptoms at all. In fact, most people with genital herpes do not know that they have it. If symptoms do arise, they usually take the form of sores in the infected area, such as the genitals. This might be known as an ‘outbreak’, and the sores can be painful. If it is a first-time outbreak, an outbreak may also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever, body ache and swollen glands. Repeated outbreaks are typically less severe. Herpes can sometimes occur orally, resulting in cold sores or blisters around the mouth.
Herpes cannot be cured, but treatments are available to prevent or shorten outbreaks.
Herpes Medication
Typically, herpes medication offer similar relief – by preventing the severity and spread of blisters and sores in outbreaks. Depending on the type of therapy in use, the medication can either be taken at the first sign of outbreak – known as episodic therapy – or daily – known as suppressive therapy.
One of the main and oldest types of genital herpes medication is an antiviral drug called acyclovir. It is currently prescription-only. It shows no evidence of pregnancy risks in animals and has no interaction with alcohol, according to Drugs.com. Read more about it and other types of herpes medications and how they affect pregnancy and alcohol intake by clicking here. Acyclovir should aid in the healing of herpes-related sores, as well as prevent their spread and the itching and pain related to them. Side-effects of acyclovir may include nausea, diarrhea, headache or vomiting. Click here for more information. It is also available in a topical cream form called Zovirax cream.
Other types of medication, such as and , work in a similar way. In fact, , a newer drug than acyclovir, actually uses acyclovir as its main ingredient. The purpose of is to improve the efficiency of acyclovir so that the body absorbs more of it. This means that the drug has to be taken fewer times during the day. Speak to your doctor to find out which medication is best for you.
These medications will not cure herpes, but they can help keep it under control. To learn more about herpes and drugs that can help, click here to visit the American Sexual Health Association.
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Posted on May 5, 2023