Genital Herpes Treatment

Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease or STD that affects the genitals of males and females with small bumps or lesions, much like genital herpes. The difference between the two is that Genital Herpes forms into small blisters that will burst and cause lesions and open sores that are more painful than Genital Warts. Genital Herpes is spread through sexual contact, and caused by the HSV-2 virus in most cases, but can be caused by the HSV-1 virus or the virus that causes fever blisters. There is no cure for genital herpes, only treatments to help alleviate pain and outbreaks.Acyclovir or ValacyclovirBoth of these drugs are in the class known as antiviral medications. These are known to help kill off the virus that causes genital herpes. Even though it kills the HSV virus, the virus will always be present in the body and therefore recurrent outbreaks are to be expected throughout the lifetime of the host. Valacyclovir is a generic name for Valtrex, while acyclovir is known as Zovirax. These medications can be used to control both HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses for genital and oral herpes outbreaks. When taken daily, the medications are useful in helping to stave off outbreaks, and if taken during an outbreak it will lessen the time frame of the outbreak. For suppressing outbreaks, dosage will be determined by a physician but are normally given in 50 mg tablets for a twice a day regimen during the first week and then once a day afterwards. Acyclovir can be taken at 400 mg three times daily for a week, or for suppression it is taken at 400 mg twice a day. Valacyclovir is taken at 100 mg twice a day for 10 days for the first infection, or at 1000 mg daily for suppression. Side effects include headache, vomiting, dizziness and abdominal pain. FamcyclovirFamcyclovir is a drug used to suppress the recurrent HSV-1 and HSV-2 outbreaks by keeping the virus from spreading to other cells. It does not protect cells that have already become infected, but will keep other cells from getting infected. This is normally taken in doses of 125 three times a day for a week to rid the system of the replicated cells. Normally this is taken in doses of 1,000 mg twice daily if you catch the outbreak within 6 hours of the onset for the first day and then 25 mg daily for suppression of symptoms. Side effects include headache, nausea and diarrhea. Tylenol, Acetaminophen and AspirinThese drugs can each be used separately to help relieve the pain and fever that are associated with Genital Herpes outbreaks, but are not recommended for daily use without consulting a physician.Zovirax CreamZovirax cream is commonly used when oral medications are not well tolerated. This is much less effective topically, and only has a small impact on the outbreak length and severity, but is still used. Side effects include swelling and itching of the site, burning and redness of the areas covered, and is not recommended for pregnant women.