Genital Herpes Treatment

What medications can be prescribed to manage genital herpes symptoms?

These genital herpes treatments can be taken in 2 ways:

	As each outbreak occurs. This is called episodic treatment.
	Continuous daily treatment. This is called suppressive treatment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends suppressive genital herpes treatment for people with 6 or more outbreaks per year. And statistics show that 7 out of 10 people have less than 6 outbreaks per year. If you're one of these people, or if you don't want to take an antiviral medication every day, episodic treatment may be right for you.

Only Single-Day FAMVIR has been proven 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. FAMVIR can also be used suppressively to treat genital herpes. Speak to your doctor about which method of genital herpes treatment is most appropriate for you.

*Zovirax® and Valtrex® are registered trademarks of GlaxoSmithKline.

What else can I do when I have a genital herpes outbreak besides taking medicine?

	Keep the affected areas clean and dry.
	Loose-fitting clothing may help.
	If you have especially painful sores, you may want to dry yourself after a bath or shower with a hair dryer (on low power) instead of a towel.
	Soothe the affected areas with a cool cloth.
	Soak in a warm bath.
	Try not to touch the sores or break open the blisters.
	If you do touch the sores, wash your hands afterward. It is especially important to avoid touching your face and eyes after you touch your sores.
	Women should not use feminine sprays, feminine deodorants, or douches during a herpes outbreak.
	Don't use any creams or ointments on sores unless prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Ask your healthcare provider which of these steps may be helpful for you.

How can I help make sure I don't spread genital herpes to others?

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.

If I think I have genital herpes, do I have to treat it?

	Genital herpes causes repeated outbreaks that may be painful. Treatment can help relieve pain.
	It can be spread to sex partners.
	A pregnant woman can pass it to her unborn baby during vaginal delivery. This is called neonatal herpes and can be serious or even fatal to the infant.
	Fear of outbreaks or of spreading genital herpes to a partner or your baby can cause stress, anxiety, or depression.

Although there is no cure for genital herpes, the symptoms can be treated. In most healthy people, herpes doesn't usually cause other health problems. Yet, many people choose to treat their herpes to help make outbreaks shorter and less severe. This can help many feel more comfortable. Only Single-Day FAMVIR can 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.

Find out how to get more information about genital herpes