Genital herpes is one of the most common yet silent sexually transmitted diseases (Gerbase, et al., 1998). With effective treatment, the disease can be nipped in the bud before it spreads in the body and becomes serious.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by the HSV-2 or the Herpes Simplex Virus. It is one of the incurable diseases which is categorized by the appearance of common ulcers, blisters or sores within the genital and rectal area (Schneede, et al., 2003). Often at times, these blisters break out and spread as ulcers within the region. Often at times, curing herpes can take up to a month, and often reoccurs after the first infection. A person affected by herpes stays infected throughout his life. However, if caught on time, effective treatments can manage the disease and help suppress it.
Symptoms of Genital Herpes
People who acquire herpes virus experience symptoms after a week, but in some cases, the disease stays silent for year before an outbreak occurs. At the early stage, the genital area becomes painful and sore, which ultimately develops into fluid-containing blisters. These blisters develop into ulcers after bursting, which usually heal up in the first week or two.
During these stages, the patient is infectious and can pass on his disease to another person. Once the outbreak has surpassed, then there is nothing to worry out.
Types of Genital Herpes Treatment
There are two major types of treatments that depend on the recurrence of the disease. They are termed as suppressive and episodic therapies. Suppressive therapy requires intake of medicines for longer period of time so that the virus is not given a chance to replicate. Suppressive therapy helps making sure that the herpes virus does not reoccur.
Episodic therapy requires intake of medicine as soon as symptoms for herpes are apparent. These medicines are helpful in shortening the outbreak time period, while helping with reduction of pain, itching and soreness.
Non-Medicinal Treatments
According to the recent studies, herpes patients are relying on non-medicinal treatments including contemporary and alternative methods such as neuro-linguistic programming, hypnosis (Gould & Tisslerz., 1984) and suggestive meditation. These methods are affordable, convenient and affordable. However, often at times, these treatments are not enough and require additional medicines for management of the disease.
Medicinal Treatment For Genital Herpes
There are three types of medicines in the market that provide effective genital herpes treatment.
Aciclovir 400mg Tablets
Aciclovir is an antiviral tablet that is used for both suppressive and episodic treatment. When taken as a suppressive therapy, it can help eliminate and reduce skin shedding, which in turn reduces the risk of infecting another person with the virus. When taken as an episodic therapy, it can reduce disease severity and help protect against itching and pain.
Valaciclovir 500mg Tablets
Valaciclovir is an antiviral tablet that is used mostly in episodic treatment. If taken on time, this drug can reduce sores, itchiness and period of pain during outbreaks. It also help in quicker healing of sores and cutting down on the number of outbreaks. If detected on time, clinical studies show that Valaciclovir can fight Herpes in the first 24 hours of the tablet intake.
Famciclovir
Famciclovir is another antiviral tablet that is used in episodic treatments. This medicine prevents the recurrence of herpes outbreaks when used during episodic treatments. It also helps in reduction of outbreak, itchiness and pain by suppressing the virus to a small area. Lastly, it decreases the risk of further infection by shortening the period in which the virus is detected.
Other drugs used for genital herpes treatment include Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex. If you suspect you have herpes, consult your doctor today and discuss your treatment as soon as possible.
Read more about genital herpes treatments here.
References
Gerbase, A. C., Rowley, J. T. & Merten, T. E., 1998. Global epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases. Lancet, Volume 352, pp. S2-S4.
Gould, S. S. & Tisslerz., D. M., 1984. The use of hypnosis in the treatment of herpes simplex II. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 26(3), pp. 171-174.
Schneede, P., Tenke, P. & Hofstetter, A. G., 2003. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—a synoptic overview for urologists. European urology, 44(1), pp. 1-7.
DrFelix. 2015. Genital Herpes Treatment. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.drfelix.co.uk. [Accessed 05 January 16].
Dr Felix
Dr Felix is a UK based online doctor and pharmacy service that offers convenient online consultations with doctors and home delivery service of your medication.
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