Approximately 20% of adults and teenagers in the US are infected with genital herpes, called herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Unfortunately there is currently no cure for genital herpes, but there are some things that can help reduce the number of herpes outbreaks and also outbreak time. There are products that claim that they can cure this virus, but there is no scientific proof for such claims.
Medical professionals and researchers are working on curing the herpes virus, and some in the field of holistic medicine claim they already have an effective treatment. There is no scientific proof that the work, however, and any evidence cited by the companies that promote them is anecdotal. The 90-day money back guarantee on some of these products is far too brief, as herpes can lay dormant in the system for many years. This makes it difficult to tell if any product has actually eliminated the virus.
There are a few approved medications that can help treat genital herpes. Acyclovir can be taken either orally or used in a lotion or ointment to reduce the time of an outbreak. When taken orally, this drug can cause fairly severe stomach upset or nausea. Lotions containing the medicine have fewer side effects and are applied directly on the site of the herpes outbreak. Symptoms can take a few days to a week to clear.
A person with herpes should use particular caution when applying acyclovir. The hands should be washed for two minutes with warm soapy water after using the topical versions, and individuals may also want to consider using gloves. It is technically possible to spread the infection from the genitals to the mouth or eyes, so using good sense safety and keeping the hands away from the face can help reduce risk.
Famciclovir is another oral medication that can reduce time of a break out and also suppress further breakouts. Such suppression is not a cure for genital herpes, but it can help people with frequent outbreaks live a more normal life, since outbreaks can be both painful and uncomfortable. Famciclovir takes about five days before an outbreak begins crusting over and then clears. It also has several potential side effects like nausea and headache, with HIV-infected patients reporting the most frequent side effects.
This medication is not considered safe for use with those with kidney impairment. Women who wish to use famciclovir when pregnant should weigh risk versus benefits carefully. The drug also passes through breast milk, and there is no clear evidence what its effect on infants and young children might be.
Valacyclovir is a newer herpes suppression medication that is taken orally to minimize outbreaks and cut down on outbreak time. It is most effective in patients with healthy immune systems, and those with kidney disease may need to take a different dosage. It may offer the most effective option for reducing outbreaks, as it has about half the rate of side effects as famciclovir and acyclovir. Since the medication is relatively new, few tests have evaluated its possible risks during pregnancy or for breastfeeding mothers.
