Best treatment for herpes simplex 1: Herpes – STI Treatment Guidelines
Treatment Options for Herpes Infections
Treatment for Genital Herpes
There are three antiviral medications that are FDA-approved for the treatment of genital herpes:
- Acyclovir: The oldest antiviral medication for herpes is acyclovir. It has been available since 1982 in a topical form (as an ointment) and sold since 1985 in pill form. Acyclovir has been shown to be safe in persons who have used it continuously (every day) for as long as 10 years.
- Valacyclovir: A newer drug, valacyclovir, actually uses acyclovir as its active ingredient. This medication delivers acyclovir more efficiently so that the body absorbs much of the drug, which has the advantage of taking the medication fewer times during the day.
- Famciclovir: Famciclovir uses penciclovir as its active ingredient to stop HSV from replicating. Like valacyclovir, it is well absorbed, persists for a longer time in the body, and can be taken less frequently than acyclovir.
Antiviral medication is commonly prescribed for patients having a first episode of genital herpes, but they can be used for recurrent episodes as well. There are two kinds of treatment regimens: episodic therapy and suppressive therapy.
Episodic Therapy
In this approach, a person begins taking medication at the first sign of an outbreak (or ideally at first signs of prodrome) and continues taking medication for several days, in order to speed healing or even prevent an outbreak from fully occurring. All three of the antiviral treatments mentioned above have been proven to help shorten the amount of time that a person may experience symptoms of herpes. However, keep in mind that results may vary from person to person.
Many people feel the advantages of using medication for recurrent episodes are marginal compared with use in a primary episode. But for others, episodic therapy offers a useful way to manage outbreaks by cutting the length of an outbreak by a day or two, on average.
The benefits may be greater for those whose outbreaks tend to last longer.
Also, episodic therapy has its best results when treatment begins at the very first sign of prodrome. If lesions are already present, therapy may offer little benefit. Because the medications differ in their absorption rate and duration of effectiveness, dosages vary with episodic therapy treatment ranging from one to five pills every day for three to five days during an outbreak.
Suppressive Therapy
People with genital herpes who want to eliminate (suppress) outbreaks can take antiviral medication daily to hold HSV in check so that it’s less likely to flare up and cause symptoms. For individuals who have frequent recurrences (six or more per year), studies have shown that suppressive therapy can reduce the number of outbreaks by at least 75% while the medication is being taken. Also, for some, taking an antiviral on a daily basis can prevent outbreaks altogether.
While antivirals can be successful in controlling herpes symptoms, researchers also have turned their attention to the important issue of antiviral therapy and asymptomatic shedding.
Does suppressive therapy lower the risk of unrecognized herpes reactivation as well as curb recognized outbreaks? One study addressing this question found that women on suppressive acyclovir (400 mg, twice daily) had a 94% reduction in subclinical shedding while taking daily therapy. This type of study has also been done with famciclovir and valacyclovir, with similar reductions seen in both men and women.
Suppressive therapy has been studied in thousands of patients and it appears to be both safe and effective. Because the medications differ in their absorption rate and duration of effectiveness, dosages vary with suppressive therapy treatment ranging from one to two pills every day.
Treatment for Oral Herpes
The antiviral medications available in pill form (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir) have been specifically developed for the treatment of genital herpes. However, it is not uncommon for healthcare providers to prescribe the antiviral drugs to those who have frequent or severe outbreaks of oral herpes.
A recent study found valacyclovir to be effective for treating oral herpes in a one-day treatment of 2 grams taken at the first sign of a cold sore, and then again about 12 hours later.
There are two topical antiviral medications prescribed for the treatment of oral HSV symptoms: acyclovir ointment and penciclovir cream. Both work to speed up the healing process and reduce the viral activity. These topical drugs are put directly on the lesions themselves, but can also be used at the onset of prodrome.
Other topical treatments for oral herpes are available over-the-counter (OTC), but are not antiviral compounds like acyclovir and penciclovir. Some also contain ingredients that numb the area and induce temporary relief from the discomfort of an outbreak. Unfortunately, some OTC treatments may actually delay the healing time of symptoms because they can further irritate the area with repeated applications. There is only one OTC FDA-approved cream, called Abreva®, which has been clinically proven to help speed the healing process.
Alternative Therapies
Over-the-counter creams and/or ointments are not recommended for genital herpes, since they can interfere with the healing process in a number of ways, causing genital outbreaks to last longer. Keeping the area clean and as dry as possible and allowing the area to get air can help to speed the healing process.
Many people find that outbreaks tend to lessen in severity and frequency with time. What triggers an outbreak is highly individual, but with time, many people learn to recognize, and sometimes avoid, factors that seem to reactivate HSV in their own bodies. For example, illness, poor diet, emotional or physical stress, friction in the genital area, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light (commonly for oral herpes, such as a beach trip or skiing weekend), surgical trauma, or steroidal medication (such as asthma treatment) may trigger a herpes outbreak.
The frequency of outbreaks can often be managed through effective stress management, and getting adequate rest, nutrition, and exercise.
People often ask about an amino acid by the name of lysine (L-lysine), because of Internet claims or claims from other people that it helps control outbreaks. While some studies have suggested that lysine supplements can reduce the frequency of recurrences or healing time, other trials have been unable to replicate those results. Therefore, there is not sufficient information to discern how effective it may be, in addition to what the effective dosages or frequency of L-lysine may be.
Lysine can be found with other nutrients and supplements at your local grocery or drug store, but people should only take the recommended dosage if it is taken and always check with their health care provider first before starting any new medication or supplement. Megadoses of lysine may throw other amino acids out of balance and interfere with the absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
In regard to possible foods to avoid, some people feel that foods that contain high amounts of the amino acid arginine may cause herpes outbreaks.
Arginine is found in numerous foods that are eaten on a regular basis, so we don’t encourage not eating foods simply because they contain arginine. However, an individual may want to consider adjusting their diet if they are having frequent outbreaks and believes food is a contributing factor. Again, while some individuals believe arginine can trigger outbreaks, there is no clinical evidence to support these claims.
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Treatment of herpes in Moscow – Prices in the infectious diseases clinic – Methods of treatment of herpes infection
The frequency of virus reactivation is due to the ability of herpetic infections to remain in the human body for a long time in a latent state and enter the active phase under certain factors: an adjacent disease, weakened immunity, hypothermia, regular physical exertion, disproportionate to your state of health, etc.
Do not underestimate small herpetic rashes on the lips or skin. Usually, the symptoms disappear after the use of special ointments, but in order to cure the disease, it is recommended that after the appearance of a rash, you should consult an infectious disease specialist and be tested for herpes in order to differentiate the type of pathogen and exclude severe manifestations of the infectious process.
Herpes virus treatment methods
The main method of treatment of herpesvirus infections in adults and children is antiviral therapy. It is not effective if the virus exists in a latent (hidden) form in the CNS. The drugs for the treatment of herpes include acyclovir and its derivatives. The drug inhibits the synthesis of viral DNA and prevents the development of the infectious process. Topical application of acyclovir preparations is widely used for infections with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the case of labial manifestations (herpes on the lips, face, body, oral mucosa, shoulders, back).
With a favorable course of chickenpox, as a rule, specific therapy is not required. In addition, thanks to the development of an effective vaccine against this disease, the number of infected people is much less. An exception when antiviral therapy may be needed are complications of chickenpox, in particular, encephalitis. In this case, in addition to directly acyclovir, valaciclovir, famiciclovir or interferon preparations can be prescribed.
Infectious mononucleosis caused by herpesvirus type 4 infection (Epstein-Barr virus) suggests symptomatic treatment. Ganiciclovir has been successfully used for severe forms of cytomegalovirus.
The best treatment for herpes in men and women is a doctor-thought-out drug regimen based on the study of the symptoms of the disease, the results of the differential diagnosis of herpes infection and the patient’s immune status. You will get all this by contacting the H-Clinic Infection Clinic.
Prices for complex treatment of herpes in Moscow
The H-Clinic employs experts who specialize in infectious diseases. We regularly monitor new ways of treating herpes and apply in practice only methods of evidence-based medicine, which we select taking into account the characteristics of the patient’s health. Modern drugs can cope with the disease, improve the quality of life of the patient. But the main thing is that a timely course of treatment for acute or chronic herpes, control of relapses, especially during pregnancy and in the case of a positive HIV status, helps prevent the transmission of the virus, the development of severe complications and infection of the fetus during childbirth.
The terms of treatment of herpes with shallow lesions of the mucous membranes and skin, on average, are 5-7 days. Severe forms of the disease and internal herpes affecting the nervous system may require a longer period of therapy.
You can quickly cope with a herpes infection only under the supervision of a qualified doctor, following the recommendations and taking the prescribed drugs according to the scheme. Upon completion of the course of therapy, the presence of the virus in the patient’s body is monitored.
To clarify the cost of herpes treatment and sign up for an initial consultation with an infectious disease specialist, please call +7 (495) 191-11-40
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Konnov Danila Sergeevich
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Read about herpes viruses
Herpes vaccine
Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 infection is extremely common widespread on the planet. WHO estimates that 3.7 billion people under 50 years of age (67% of the total population) have herpesvirus type 1 infection, and 417 million (11%) aged 15-49 years are infected with herpesvirus type 2. Herpesvirus type 1 is transmitted mainly through oral contact, type 2 is more often transmitted sexually.
Genital herpes: how to recognize and where to treat
Genital herpes is a chronic viral infection that can be caused by herpes simplex viruses type I and II. Previously, it was believed that this infectious disease is caused only by the second type of virus, and the “cold” on the lips is the antics of the type 1 virus, but oral sex has changed our lives.
What, how and when appears on the skin – what to do about it?
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Chickenpox
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Epstein-Barr virus infection: myths and reality
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Many people believe that oral sex is much safer in terms of transmitting infections, but this is not the case.
Genital herpes – articles from the specialists of the clinic “Mother and Child”
Pershina Ekaterina Vyacheslavovna
Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Gynecologist-Endocrinologist
Clinical Hospital MD GROUP
Herpesvirus infection is an extremely unpleasant disease that significantly impairs the quality of life, especially with a recurrent course.
Genital herpes can be so severe that it disrupts the process of urination, leading to acute urinary retention.
Genital herpes is one of the STDs. It is caused by two types of herpes simplex viruses – type 1 (HSV-1 – the same one that causes cold sores) and type 2 (HSV-2).
According to statistics, women get genital herpes much more often than men.
It is especially easy to get genital herpes through sexual contact with a person who has an acute phase of the disease.
Through household items (toilet seat, towel, etc.) it is not transmitted, because it dies in the environment.
In rare cases, genital herpes is asymptomatic. But usually it is still accompanied by a rash – on the vulva, perineum, inner thighs, around the anus, bubbles appear, then erosion and sores. And all this is accompanied by swelling, burning. The temperature may rise and the inguinal lymph nodes may even increase. ⠀
For the diagnosis of genital herpes, the presence of antibodies to the Ig G and M virus is determined in the blood, and the vaginal discharge and scraping from the surface of the vesicles on the skin or vulvar mucosa are examined – PCR diagnosis of HSV types 1 and 2.
Herpes is treated for a long time. Local external gels / ointments / creams, systemic antiviral drugs based on acyclovir / valaciclovir, immunomodulators are used. As with any viral infection, there is no absolute cure for HSV. The main task is to remove the acute process and maintain a state of stable remission.
The best treatment is prevention, in the case of herpes this rule also works.
What to do to avoid infection?
The most important thing is the support of general and local immunity, hygiene of sexual life. Always use barrier methods of contraception with new partners.
It is important to remember that a condom is not 100% protection against genital herpes. The herpes virus can be isolated (released) from areas of the skin that do not have visible cold sores.
This argument is the reason for regular monitoring and annual examination by a gynecologist, even if nothing bothers you. It is very important to detect and treat any sexually transmitted infections in a timely manner.