Genital Herpes Treatment

Although there is no known cure for genital herpes, several treatment options help reduce symptoms. The first step is to seek treatment at a sexual health clinic. Antiviral medicines can help shorten the duration of the outbreaks and reduce the frequency and severity. It would help if you also got tested to find the exact cause of your outbreaks.

Complications of genital herpes

Complications of genital herpes are genuine and can negatively affect an individual’s life, sex life, and relationships. While the disease itself is not curable, it can be managed. Genital herpes can also increase the chances of contracting HIV. In addition, it can cause skin ulcers and breaks and may even lead to pregnancy in infected women.

Although severe complications of genital herpes are rare, they can still be severe. For example, some people with HSV-1 or HSV-2 may develop inflammation of their meninges, known as aseptic meningitis. In addition, individuals with suppressed immune systems may experience genital ulcers.

Some people with genital herpes develop recurrent outbreaks of the disease, which are generally less severe. Recurrent outbreaks are more common in HIV/AIDS patients. Sometimes, a person may have no symptoms of genital herpes at all. However, the virus may remain in the body for many years.

If a woman is pregnant, she may have to undergo cesarean delivery to avoid passing herpes to her baby. The infection can cause a life-threatening infection in the infant. Antivirals are available to reduce the risk of passing the virus to the baby during delivery.

Symptoms of herpes may occur within four to seven days after exposure, with the first outbreak being worse than subsequent outbreaks. The outbreaks usually last up to 20 days and disappear without scarring, though the infection may return periodically.

Treatment options

Currently, there are many treatment options for genital herpes. Antiviral medications can reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of this disease. Patients should start with an antiviral medication within ten days of their first symptoms. Symptoms may become more severe if treatment is not continued after this time. If the infection is persistent, antiviral medication may need to be continued for several months.

The most commonly prescribed drug for treating herpes is acyclovir, which can be taken as a tablet or a cream. Acyclovir is an antiviral because it prevents the herpes virus from replicating within the body’s cells. In addition, it helps keep the virus level low, reducing the number of symptoms. Acyclovir is a common antiviral and is also used to treat cold sores, chickenpox, and shingles. However, the dosage of this drug is different for every individual. Therefore, following the medication’s instructions and taking the proper dose is also essential.

Another important consideration when treating genital herpes is the type of therapy. Early therapy can lead to faster results than later treatment. Early therapy is also more effective than suppressive therapy for patients with recurrent episodes. Furthermore, many patients experience a prodrome before recurrent episodes, which may be a good sign of an early diagnosis. However, suppressive therapy may better serve patients with no prodrome.

Symptoms

Genital herpes is a contagious viral infection that affects the vagina and penis. It causes recurrent outbreaks that usually last three to ten days. The recurrent episodes of the disease tend to be less severe than the initial outbreak. However, the sores may develop in the same area as the first outbreak or in another area.

The first sign of the infection is pain and itching. The affected area may also itch or ooze fluid. Within a week, a crust will form over the sore. The lymph glands can also swell, which helps the body fight the infection. A fever and body aches are also every days. The disease can also affect the nervous system and cause pain when urinating or defecating.

In some cases, patients may also require antiviral medication. These medicines can reduce the duration and severity of an episode. They can also help reduce the transmission of the infection. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your healthcare provider immediately to get the appropriate treatment. You can also undergo a sexual health screening to determine if you are susceptible to the disease.

Pregnant women with genital herpes should discuss their condition with their antenatal care provider. The disease can be passed to the baby during pregnancy and delivery. Herpes can spread to other body parts when skin-to-skin contact occurs. The infection may also affect the brain of the unborn child.