Treatment and Prevention
There's no cure yet for genital herpes. Antiviral medications, including
acyclovir*, famciclovir, or valacyclovir, can reduce the severity and duration
of symptoms. Treatment should be started as soon as possible and is most effective
when started within the first 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacylcovir are available as tablets. Acyclovir
also comes in a cream or ointment. Antiviral medications can also be used on
a daily basis to prevent breakouts of genital herpes. This treatment, also referred
to as suppressive therapy, is usually reserved for people who experience more
frequent flare-ups, usually six or more episodes in one year.
It is best to avoid any cream or ointment that doesn't contain a specific
antiherpes drug. This includes any preparation containing cortisone or antibiotics.
These creams or ointments will not help and in some cases may make things worse.
Using rubbing alcohol will only sting - and that's about all. If a person is
experiencing a lot of pain or discomfort, your doctor may prescribe an appropriate
painkiller.
Other measures people can take to ease an outbreak include:
- using bath salts and cold compresses
- keeping the infected area clean and dry
- wearing loose clothing and cotton underwear
It's important to make sure that the infection doesn't spread to other parts
of the body. One of the more dangerous areas to spread the herpes virus
to is the cornea of the eye. This can lead to blindness. Therefore, it is important
for people with genital herpes to wash their hands thoroughly after touching
sores or blisters and to use clean towels every time they wash - and not to
reuse them. Genital herpes is not spread by toilet seats, bathtubs, swimming
pools, or hot tubs.
The only way to prevent herpes is to avoid direct contact with herpes sores.
Condoms are vital to prevent the spread of genital herpes. During oral sex,
genital herpes may be prevented by wearing a condom on the penis, or using a
condom cut length-wise or a dental dam over the female genital area. People
with genital herpes should inform their sexual partner(s) that they have the
condition, and take appropriate precautions. They should avoid sex when there
are visible sores, and use a condom the rest of the time.
If the first episode of herpes occurs during pregnancy, a woman should see
her doctor right away to discuss whether or not to take medication.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.