Herpes Cure
At present, there is really no herpes cure but there are antiviral medications, which are prescribed to treat the symptoms of herpes particularly, genital herpes.
Antiviral medications can help people with herpes to manage their condition and at least stay symptom free for longest time.
The three major antiviral medications commonly used to treat symptoms of herpes are:
- Aclovir
- Famciclovir
- Valacyclovir
These medications are all prescribed in pill form and taken orally but for those severe cases of herpes, an intravenous acyclovir is given.
Aside from antiviral medications, there are many skin ointments, which claim to cure herpes but accordingly, these type of medications, were not yet really proven effective to treat herpes that is why most doctors do not recommend skin ointments for herpes.
Stages of Treatment for Genital Herpes
Treatment for herpes varies accordingly to the symptoms and stages that had appeared to the infected person.
If the infected person have genital herpes for the first time and the symptoms have sores, the doctor will prescribed antiviral medications, which should be taken seven to ten days. At this time, antiviral medications are important to prevent the sores from worsening.
The antiviral medications may be prescribed longer if the sores still do not heal beyond the ten-day period.
- For Intermittent treatment:
Intermittent treatments are prescribed by doctors in case a patient feels that he or she will have another herpes outbreak. Normally, these medications are taken 2-5 days after the infected person see that new sores have started to appear.
These medications may not really prevent an herpes outbreak but this is one way to make the symptoms heal faster.
- For suppressive treatment:
Suppressive treatments are recommended for those who experience genital herpes outbreak most often. This is normally given to patients who have over six herpes outbreaks per year.
Suppressive treatment can dramatically decrease the number of herpes outbreaks by seventy to eighty percent.
This is also recommended for those who have severe attacks of herpes regardless if it is lesser than six outbreaks per year.
Side Effects of Herpes Drugs
Herpes drugs are relatively mild and considered safe by medical experts. They are really designed for long-term use however; all these medications should only be taken with proper instructions with your doctor.
Those patients who are taking suppressive medications should visit their physicians for 1-2 times a year in order to consult if they should still be continued.
With medications and proper follow up, the patient may observed that he or she has lesser outbreaks. However, it is important to remember that antiviral medications either antiviral medications either for initial treatment, intermittent treatment or suppressive therapy, these medications will not prevent the transmission of the virus to your partner.
It is still important that you avoid any direct contact particularly sexual contact without protection because even though you are drinking medications, you can still spread the disease.
Abstinence is still the most effective way to avoid transmitting herpes. If abstinence is not possible, ask your doctor on how you can prevent spreading the virus to your partner.
Herbal Supplements for Herpes
There are many herbal supplements who claim to cure herpes or at least give relief to the sores caused by herpes. Some may even claim that they can prevent the herpes simplex virus from transmitting to your partner but do not take them without being prescribed by your doctor, as it might not really cure herpes.
At present, studies are still under way to check on the herbal claims but none of them have received FDA approval.
It is recommended that you continue your antiviral medications prescribed by your doctor instead of taking herbal supplements.
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Understanding Herpes Cure Recommended Resources:
Geneseo
University of Baltimore
