Medication
Self-care
Nutrition
What is the most effective treatment for herpes?
Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir appear equally effective for episodic treatment of genital herpes (466–470). *Acyclovir 400 mg orally 3 times/day is also effective, but are not recommended because of frequency of dosing.
How are herpes virus treated?
Treatment. Antiviral medications – such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir – are the most effective medications for people infected with HSV (see WHO recommendations). These can help to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms but cannot cure the infection.
Is there a proven cure for herpes?
There is currently no cure or preventive treatment for the herpes infection. If a person gets either form of herpes virus infection, they will have it for life , whether or not they experience symptoms.
How do you live a normal life with herpes?
There's no one way to talk about having an STD, but here are some tips that may help:Keep calm and carry on. Millions of people have herpes, and plenty of them are in relationships. ... Make it a two-way conversation. Remember that STDs are super common, so who knows? ... Know your facts. ... Think about timing. ... Safety first.
What triggers herpes?
Overview. Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Sexual contact is the primary way that the virus spreads. After the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in your body and can reactivate several times a year.
What happens if herpes goes untreated?
Genital herpes can lead to complications, especially the first time you have it. The possible complications include vaginal yeast infections (“thrush”), bladder problems with trouble urinating, and – in rare cases – meningitis. Complications are very rare in later outbreaks.
Is herpes Contagious forever?
Remember that genital herpes is a lifelong disease. Even though you may not have a genital herpes outbreak for long periods of time, you can still pass the virus to another person at any time. Talk with your doctor or nurse about how to prevent passing the virus to another person.
What are the signs of herpes on a woman?
The first signs may include:Itching, tingling, or burning feeling in the vaginal or anal area.Flu-like symptoms, including fever.Swollen glands.Pain in the legs, buttocks, or vaginal area.A change in vaginal discharge.Headache.Painful or difficult urination.A feeling of pressure in the area below the stomach.
Is herpes Contagious all the time?
Yes. Even when no sores are present, the herpes virus is still active in the body and can spread to others. If you or your partner has herpes, reduce the risk of spread by: using a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, or anal).
Do I have to disclose herpes?
No, it is not illegal to not tell someone you have herpes. However, if you are in an intimate relationship with someone, it is best to let your partner know that you have an STD. This will allow you both to take precautions to minimize the spread of the STD.
Does herpes shorten your life?
Becoming infected with the herpes virus seriously complicates your social, emotional and sexual life, but it is not otherwise a terribly dangerous condition to have. Having genital herpes does make it easier to get HIV (and thus AIDS), but otherwise, the condition is not disabling, and does not reduce lifespan.
Do I have to tell someone I have herpes?
There are no black and white rules for telling your partner you have herpes, and everyone needs to make their own decisions depending on the situation, but the fact is more people are accepted by new partners than rejected for having genital herpes. Some people choose not to tell casual partners.