Having herpes is painful, and often the person afflicted with this condition is reticent about seeking medical help out of embarrassment. Those with the condition however, should be as informed as possible regarding treatments and other factors related to the condition as a means of lessening the severity of breakouts.
Genital herpes is usually just referred to simply as herpes, but in fact, the proper name is herpes simplex virus. Herpes is most often transmitted during intercourse through contact with the mucous covered linings of the vagina, male genital, or mouth the virus then travels to the nerve roots near the spine and will remain there. Periodically the virus will travel down the nerve endings resulting in an outbreak of the painful symptoms associated with herpes.
While there is no cure, symptoms can be controlled to some extent through the use of certain medications and changes in lifestyle. There are two types of medications normally used for the treatment of herpes including topical ointments that are applied to the area experiencing a breakout and oral drugs. Most who experience this condition believe that the oral medications are more effective.
The most important time to have medical treatment for herpes is during or if possible even before the initial outbreak really starts. At the first stage of the condition, symptoms reported are similar to the flu, and the there can be a tingling or burning sensation in the genital area. The first real outbreak is often the most severe episode, but if at this point antiviral medication is used it can reduce the severity of symptoms experienced from this point on.
Antiviral medications such as acyclovir sold as Zovirax, famciclovir listed under the label Famvir, and valacyclovir sold as Valtrex are the ones most commonly prescribed. In the initial outbreak, a doctor might prescribe oral treatments or if the symptoms are severe then intravenous forms of antiviral medications might be used.
Medications can reduce the pain and help to stop the virus from spreading, but this is not a cure. While the length of time the sores are present can be reduced the virus is still present in the body and will remain so for life. Anyone with herpes should also take care to know methods to keep the virus from being passed on while being intimate. Changes in lifestyle should include reducing stress and fatigue as this can trigger an outbreak.