Treatment

Antiviral medications

The symptoms of herpes may cause some people significant discomfort. But treatments are available that can reduce the severity, frequency and duration of outbreaks. Antiviral medications help to stop the virus from multiplying on the surface of the skin, effectively reducing the length of time that the virus is on the skin during a herpes outbreak.

There are currently 3 herpes antiviral medications available in tablet form - famciclovir, aciclovir and valaciclovir.

What is episodic treatment?

Episodic treatment of genital herpes involves treating the disease when it occurs, i.e. managing individual outbreaks of recurrent genital herpes on an ad-hoc basis. Taking medication at the first signs of an outbreak will help reduce the length and severity of symptoms. Two-day and five-day treatments are available.

Ask your doctor which treatment is right for you.

What is suppressive treatment?

Suppressive (preventative) treatment involves taking medication on a daily basis to reduce the chance of an outbreak occurring. Continuous suppressive treatment is particularly useful for those who are experiencing frequent or troublesome outbreaks, because it significantly reduces both symptomatic and asymptomatic viral shedding and healing time. It is also useful for those concerned about passing herpes on to a new partner.

If you have a high level of herpes-related anxiety, you may find that suppressive treatment allows you to be less focused on the herpes virus. This emotional break can provide you with time to adjust to living with this infection. You may also find professional support helpful.

For more information about antiviral medications, talk to your doctor.

Herpes antiviral treatment and HIV

In people with HIV infection, outbreaks of herpes can be more severe and frequent than in people with no HIV infection, placing stress on the immune system. For this reason, many doctors use suppressive therapy for herpes in HIV infected people. Treating HIV infection may help to improve the immune system so that outbreaks of herpes are less frequent and severe.

Other advice

There are a number of other steps you can take to speed the healing process and avoid spreading the herpes virus to other people or to other places on your body.

• Try to avoid touching herpes sores and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact
• Avoid sexual contact from the time you first experience any symptoms until the sore has completely healed (the scab has fallen off and there is new skin where the sore was)
• If urination is painful. Pour luke warm water over the painful area as you urinate
• Use a blow dryer set on low or cool to dry the genital area after bathing
• Wear cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing
• Try mild painkillers such as aspirin or paracetamol.