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Frequently Asked Questions about Genital Herpes
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Frequently Asked Questions about FAMVIR
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What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. It is very common––about 50 million Americans have genital herpes. It is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus.
There are two types of herpes simplex viruses that can cause herpes. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) primarily causes oral herpes (cold sores).
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) primarily causes genital herpes.
Although HSV-1 causes the majority of oral herpes cases and HSV-2 causes the majority of genital herpes cases, both of these viruses can cause oral herpes and genital herpes.
Once a person gets genital herpes, it stays in his/her body for life.
What happens when someone has an outbreak of genital herpes?
With recurrent genital herpes, symptoms can come and go. When symptoms appear from time to time, it is called a “herpes outbreak.”
Between outbreaks, when the virus is not present on the skin surface, the herpes virus is inactive and when reactivated, it travels to the skin in the genital area. An outbreak usually begins
with a warning prodrome. Then, redness, bumps, and blisters may appear. The blisters can burst open and cause sores. There may be just one blister or several.
What is a prodrome?
A prodrome is the first stage of an outbreak when you feel symptoms such as pain, burning, itching, tingling, or tenderness.
Remember, this is the time to start treatment if you are treating episodically.
How often do outbreaks of recurrent genital herpes happen?
On average, someone with recurrent genital herpes (HSV2) will have 4 to 5 outbreaks a year. They can happen often or once in a while.
Many people notice that the outbreaks lessen in frequency and severity with time.
What can trigger an outbreak?
Trigger factors may cause the virus to become active again. Trigger factors vary from person to person and usually can't be avoided.
Some triggers are believed to be the menstrual cycle, stress, sexual intercourse, injury, another illness (especially with fever),
surgical trauma, steroidal medication (eg, asthma medication), and poor diet.
When is herpes contagious?
When the virus is active, even if you don't see or feel any symptoms.
How can I reduce the spread of herpes?
Genital herpes can still be spread to a sex partner even when you have no symptoms. Most new cases of genital herpes are caught from someone who has an active herpes infection with no symptoms. So, if you've ever had genital herpes, it is important to always practice safer sex.
This means you should not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex with uninfected partners when you have active symptoms, such as sores. You should wait until they are completely healed. Between outbreaks, use a condom during sex. Neither of these methods is perfect, but they will help prevent the spread of herpes.
What else can I do to help relieve the discomfort of an outbreak?
In addition to taking your medicine as your doctor prescribes, you should
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Keep the genital area clean and dry |
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Wear loose-fitting clothing |
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Place a cool or lukewarm cloth on the affected area |
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Try not to touch the affected area |
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If you do touch the affected area, wash your hands with warm water and soap immediately |
What is suppressive therapy?
Suppressive therapy (taking medication every day) may help prevent genital herpes outbreaks. The doctor and the patient may decide to treat genital herpes suppressively. Many people on suppressive therapy can decrease their number of outbreaks.
Can patients on suppressive therapy still infect a partner?
Yes, if you are sexually active, you can still pass herpes to your partner. There is no evidence that FAMVIR can stop the spread of herpes to others.
What is episodic therapy?
Physicians can also treat their patients with episodic therapy. Episodic treatment means taking medicine at the very start of an outbreak.
When you first start feeling the symptoms of an outbreak, the genital herpes virus is already actively reproducing in your body.
Taking the full
course of Single-Day FAMVIR at the first sign or symptom can stop the genital herpes virus from reproducing. If you can stop the virus during this
time, you may be able to stop a full-blown outbreak. Only Single-Day FAMVIR can stop or shorten an outbreak of recurrent genital herpes
with just a single day of treatment. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
What happens if a person is infected with genital herpes?
After becoming infected with the genital herpes virus, it may take days, weeks, months, or even years for any symptoms to appear. Because of this, it may be difficult to know when and from whom the virus was contracted.
After becoming infected with genital herpes, some people may experience a first outbreak that is so mild it is barely noticeable. But some people may have a severe outbreak within days of contracting the genital herpes virus.
What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
Symptoms of genital herpes vary and may include:
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A rash, bumps, blisters, cuts, or sores in or around the genital area (vagina, vulva, anus, penis, or scrotum) |
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Itching, burning, or tingling in or around the genital area |
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Aches or pains in or around the genital area |
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Discharge from the penis or vagina |
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Burning and/or pain when urinating |
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Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, and swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the groin. |
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It is possible to have no symptoms at all |
Where do symptoms appear?
Genital herpes symptoms can appear in various areas of the body. Once a person has been infected with the herpes virus, it lies dormant (inactive) in the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine until it becomes active. Once the virus becomes active, it travels along nerve paths to the surface of the skin, where it may cause an outbreak. The nerves in the buttocks, genital area, and upper thighs are connected. Therefore an outbreak can occur on the anus, buttocks, thigh, penis, scrotum, vagina, and/or vulva.
What is the incidence of genital herpes?
Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the U.S. An estimated 50 million Americans have genital herpes, with an incidence of 1 million Americans becoming infected every year. According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA), 1 out of every 5 adults has genital herpes.
Who is most at risk for infection?
Anyone who has had or is having sexual contact. Genital herpes is more common in women (approximately 1 out of 4 women) than in men (almost 1 out of 5). This may be because male to female transmission is more likely than female to male transmission.
Can someone have genital herpes and not know it?
Yes, while the symptoms are often visible and painful, they can be subtle and often go unrecognized. In fact, approximately 75% of people with genital herpes do not know they have the virus.
How is genital herpes diagnosed?
If you know you've been exposed to the genital herpes virus and you have the classic signs (e.g., painful, clustered blisters on top of red swollen skin), your doctor may make the diagnosis based on this alone. However, in someone who does not have these signs or the diagnosis is uncertain, there are two types of tests that can be used. A culture test looks for the presence of genital herpes in cells taken from a sore. A blood test is used to measure the body's immune response (antibodies) against the genital herpes virus.
How is genital herpes spread from one person to another?
Genital herpes is most often transmitted from person to person through sexual contact. However, sexual penetration is not required for transmission. Genital herpes spreads from one person to another when infected cells from someone with genital herpes are exposed to cells in an uninfected person in an environment that contains heat and moisture (e.g., sexual contact).
Genital herpes can be spread in a variety of ways: mouth to vagina or penis (or vice versa), finger to penis or vagina, penis to anus, or any combination of these.
How is genital herpes treated and can it be cured?
Genital herpes is a lifelong disease. There is no cure for genital herpes. For many people, antiviral treatments can minimize symptoms and speed healing of sores. Prescription oral antiviral medication can be used in one of two ways to treat genital herpes. A patient's physician will decide whether episodic treatment, taken when an outbreak occurs, or suppressive treatment, taken daily to prevent outbreaks, is appropriate.
What is viral shedding?
Viral shedding is when the genital herpes virus is present on the skin and can be transmitted to other people during this time, even if the individual with herpes doesn't show any signs or symptoms.
Where can people go for more information about genital herpes?
People can call the National Herpes Hotline at 1-877-411-HERPES (1-877-411-4377) for more information.
What is FAMVIR?
FAMVIR is a prescription oral antiviral medicine for recurrent genital herpes in people with a healthy immune system. FAMVIR is the first and only oral
antiviral proven to stop or shorten a genital herpes outbreak with just a single day of treatment. Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
Is FAMVIR new?
No. FAMVIR has been prescribed by doctors to millions of patients all over the world. FAMVIR can be dosed in just one day for recurrent genital herpes. It's called Single-Day FAMVIR. With Single-Day FAMVIR, you have the power to stop or shorten a recurrent genital herpes outbreak. Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
What is different about FAMVIR?
FAMVIR can be dosed in just one day. What this means is that you have the power to stop or shorten a recurrent genital herpes outbreak with just a single day of treatment. Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
When do I take Single-Day FAMVIR?
Take Single-Day FAMVIR as soon as you feel or see a genital herpes outbreak coming on. Although each person is different, common early symptoms may include pain,
burning, itching, tingling, or tenderness. This stage of the outbreak is called the prodrome—a warning that a full-blown outbreak (which could include
redness, bumps, blisters, and sores) may be coming. Many people feel these early warning signs or symptoms. Learning
what your individual warning symptoms are can help you identify when an outbreak may be coming on. Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
Why is it important for me to take Single-Day FAMVIR when I first feel a genital herpes outbreak starting?
When you first start feeling the symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak, the virus is already actively reproducing. Starting Single-Day FAMVIR at this critical time can stop the virus from reproducing. If you can stop the virus during this time, you may be able to stop a full-blown outbreak.
What kind of results might I expect from Single-Day FAMVIR?
In a clinical study of Single-Day FAMVIR for recurrent genital herpes, many patients were able to
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Stop or shorten an outbreak |
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Shorten the duration of symptoms, including pain, buring, itching, tingling, and tenderness |
How do I take Single-Day FAMVIR for recurrent genital herpes?
Take Single-Day FAMVIR as your doctor has prescribed:
Take two 500-mg FAMVIR tablets as soon as you feel an outbreak starting.
Take another two 500-mg FAMVIR tablets about 12 hours later. Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
How can I get ready for my next outbreak?
Always be sure to have an extra supply of Single-Day FAMVIR with you. That way, you will be ready to take control of your next genital herpes outbreak.
What should I do if I still have symptoms when I've finished my Single-Day FAMVIR tablets?
You only need to take Single-Day FAMVIR for one day when treating recurrent genital herpes. The medicine enters the infected cells and stays there long enough to prevent the herpes virus from reproducing.
It may take a few days for you to feel better and the lesions to disappear, but this does not mean you need more medicine.
Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
Who should not use FAMVIR?
Anyone who is allergic to this product, its ingredients, or a medicine called Denavir® (penciclovir cream) should not use FAMVIR. (Check with your healthcare provider for a complete list of ingredients.) FAMVIR tablets contain lactose. If you have rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, a severe lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption, you should not take FAMVIR tablets. Safety and effectiveness in children under the age of 18 years has not been demonstrated.
Can I use FAMVIR if I'm pregnant?
As always, if you are pregnant or considering getting pregnant, you should discuss the risks and benefits of taking any medication with your physician. Read
Full Prescribing Information.
Are there any side effects with Single-Day FAMVIR?
In clinical studies, the most common side effects in people who took Single-Day FAMVIR for recurrent genital herpes were headache, diarrhea, and nausea. Most side effects
were mild to moderate and lasted only a short time. Talk to your doctor if side effects continue or if they bother you. For more information about
other more infrequent side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Is there another way to prevent a herpes outbreak?
Yes. Sometimes, people with recurrent genital herpes need or want suppressive therapy, which means taking medicine daily for up to 1 year to
lessen the number of outbreaks. This may be because they experience many outbreaks (e.g., more than 6 per year). For many people, however,
treating their genital herpes outbreak for a short period of time as soon as they feel the warning sensations (episodic treatment) is appropriate
and even preferred in some cases. Fortunately, FAMVIR can be used for both episodic and suppressive treatment of genital herpes. The decision
as to whether episodic or suppressive treatment is most appropriate for you should be made in consultation with your doctor. For more information,
or if you feel you may need suppressive therapy with FAMVIR, please talk to your doctor.
What other important information do I need to know about Single-Day FAMVIR
FAMVIR is not a cure for genital herpes. If you are sexually active, you can still pass herpes to your partner even if you are taking FAMVIR.
Genital herpes can be transmitted even if you do not have active symptoms.
What's the difference between "single-day" and "once daily"?
"Once daily" is a way of describing a suppressive treatment, which means a treatment you take every day. "Single-day" means you take the full course of
treatment in one day. Only Single-Day FAMVIR can stop or shorten an outbreak with a single day of treatment.
Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
What are the indications for FAMVIR?
FAMVIR® (famciclovir) is an oral antiviral prescription medication that is prescribed for:
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Episodic treatment of recurrent genital herpes in otherwise healthy patients |
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Suppression of recurrent genital herpes in otherwise healthy patients |
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Treatment of recurrent herpes infections in HIV-infected patients |
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Herpes Zoster (Shingles) |
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Recurrent Herpes Labialis (Cold Sores) in otherwise healthy patients |
How is FAMVIR prescribed?
FAMVIR can be prescribed in one of three ways for recurrent genital herpes:
Episodic treatment—take two 500-mg FAMVIR tablets at the first sign or symptom of an outbreak. Take another two 500-mg FAMVIR tablets about 12 hours later. Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
Suppressive treatment—take one 250-mg tablet, twice a day, for up to 1 year to suppress the genital herpes virus and help to prevent outbreaks.
Patients with HIV—FAMVIR is the only prescription oral antiviral therapy indicated for treating recurrent genital or orolabial herpes in people infected with HIV. The dose of FAMVIR is 500-mg, twice a day, for 7 days.
Patients with Recurrent Cold Sores—the recommended dosage is three 500-mg tablets as a single dose. Start therapy at the earliest sign or symptom of a cold sore (e.g. tingling, itching or burning).
Patients with Herpes Zoster—the recommended dosage is 500-mg every 8 hours for 7 days. Therapy should be started as soon as herpes zoster is diagnosed. No data are available on effectiveness of treatment started later than 72 hours after rash onset.
If a patient has impaired kidney function, his or her doctor will determine if FAMVIR is appropriate and if so, what the right dose would be.
How does Single-Day FAMVIR work?
When you first start feeling the symptoms of an outbreak, the virus is already actively reproducing and the medicine enters cells infected with the herpes virus and stops the virus from multiplying. Starting Single-Day FAMVIR at this critical time can stop the virus from reproducing. If you can stop the virus during this time, you may be able to stop a full-blown outbreak.
Take at the first sign or symptom. The effectiveness of FAMVIR has not been established when treatment is started more than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms or lesions.
If I am on suppressive therapy and I have an outbreak, what do I do?
Keep taking FAMVIR as prescribed by your doctor. If you have any concerns, contact your healthcare provider.
Can FAMVIR be taken with or without food?
Yes, FAMVIR can be taken with or without food.
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