What is the best medication for herpes virus?
Some of the most popular, effective and widely used herpes medications currently available are valacyclovir (or Valtrex®), acyclovir (or Zovirax®) and famciclovir (or Famvir®). All of these drugs work through a similar mechanism, and all have their place in treating cases of HSV-1 and HSV-2.
What happens if you never take medicine for herpes?
What happens if herpes is not treated? Herpes can be painful, but it generally does not cause serious health problems like other STDs can. Without treatment, you might continue to have regular outbreaks, or they could only happen rarely. Some people naturally stop getting outbreaks after a while.
Which herpes medication can be taken daily?
A new study shows that daily therapy with the antiviral drug Valtrex significantly lowers the risk of transmitting genital herpes among heterosexual couples in which one partner is infected with the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Do you have to take medication forever with herpes?
Taking medication every day for many months will stop recurrences completely, or their frequency and severity are greatly reduced. This is called suppressive or prophylactic treatment. Generally, after a year, it is recommended you stop the medication for a few months to see if recurrences have become less frequent.
What happens if you take valacyclovir everyday?
Valacyclovir, taken daily, reduces the number of outbreaks a person experiences and the number of days that someone sheds the virus asymptomatically.
What causes herpes?
Herpes infections are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2. These viruses are contagious and transmitted from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact. Kissing or touching is the main cause of HSV-1 transmission, and sexual contact is the main cause of HSV-2 transmission.
What causes herpes breakouts?
Triggers for recurrence — Illness, stress, sunlight, and fatigue can trigger recurrent herpes outbreaks. In women, menstrual periods may trigger an outbreak. When did I become infected? — The first time a person has noticeable signs or symptoms of herpes may not be the initial episode.
How long can you stay on valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir is usually prescribed for seven days for shingles, with a typical dosage of 1,000 mg three times per day. Just like with HSV-1 and HSV-2, it’s important to start treatment as soon as you notice shingles symptoms.