What is genital herpes?

Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease of the genital area with genital Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or type 2, a DNA virus of the Herpes viridae family.

Herpes simplex type II virus is the most common cause of genital herpes but can be due to herpes simplex type I virus which is more commonly associated with cold sores around the mouth.

Treatment of Genital Herpes

A number of treatments offering effective relief from symptoms of genital herpes have been developed.

The following treatments can reduce the pain and discomfort of genital sores:

  • Salt baths, used to wash the genital area, can clean, soothe and dry the sores. One teaspoon of salt in 600 ml of water (about a handful) is recommended in a shallow bath.
  • Analgesics (such as aspirin and paracetamol, or ibuprofen), ice (which can be soothing if applied directly to the sores) and creams with an anaesthetic component. Creams can slow down drying and should therefore be used sparingly and only for pain relief. In addition, topical creams have limited value on moist mucosal surfaces, particularly in women.
  • Loose underclothes, preferably cotton, can help minimize discomfort and exacerbate healing. Nylon should be avoided

Antiviral Therapy For Treatment of Genital Herpes

The standard, effective and specific treatment for genital herpes is antiviral therapy, which is usually in tablet form. Antiviral drugs stop HSV from replicating in the body. The treatment only works while you are taking the drug, and cannot prevent future outbreaks once you stop taking it.

Antiviral treatments can:

  • shorten the duration of a genital herpes outbreak and help speed healing
  • reduce the number of outbreaks suffered - or prevent them completely.

Antiviral medications can be used:

1. With episodic treatment, the aim is to shorten the time each outbreak lasts and to relieve symptoms. If you are coping well and your outbreaks are not too frequent, you and your doctor may agree that episodic treatment is the most appropriate option.

2. 'Suppressive' therapy. If your recurrent outbreaks are frequent or severe - or if you find them particularly bothersome - your doctor may recommend that you take oral antiviral medication every day to help prevent outbreaks happening. Suppressive therapy is taken continuously, e.g. daily, for months or even years.

Oral antiviral medication is only available by prescription. If you are taking 'episodic' therapy then the earlier treatment starts after symptoms of an outbreak first appear, the more effective it will be. Ask your doctor to prescribe treatment in advance so that you can self-initiate immediately you detect the early symptoms of a herpes episode.

Aciclovir

When aciclovir is taken as episodic treatment, it can reduce the severity of outbreaks of genital herpes and shorten their duration. Aciclovir also shortens the time during which the herpes virus is detected on skin surfaces.

As episodic treatment, aciclovir should be taken five times a day. Aciclovir can also be used as suppressive treatment to help reduce the number of outbreaks. For suppressive treatment, you will need to take tablets two, three or four times a day.

The side effects of aciclovir are usually mild. They include nausea and diarrhoea.

Picture genital herpes treatment - Aciclovir .

Famciclovir


Famciclovir has been shown to reduce the time that outbreaks last when used as episodic treatment. The severity of pain with outbreaks is also decreased. Like aciclovir, famciclovir also shortens the period during which virus is detected on genital surfaces.

Famciclovir is taken three times a day, when it is used as episodic treatment for the initial genital herpes episode, or two times a day to treat recurrent outbreaks.

Picture genital herpes treatment - Famciclovir.

Famciclovir is approved in some countries for daily use as suppressive therapy. When it is used in this way, it has been shown in clinical trials to increase the time between outbreaks. For suppressive therapy, famciclovir is taken two times every day.

The side effects of famciclovir are generally mild with headache and nausea being reported.

You should consult your doctor for further information about antiviral treatment for your particular situation.

Valaciclovir


When used as episodic treatment, valaciclovir helps the sores heal faster, and shortens the period of pain during the outbreak. Valaciclovir also reduces the time during which the virus is detected on genital skin surfaces (virus shedding) - a time when the disease can be passed on to a sexual partner.

Picture genital herpes treatment - - Valaciclovir.

If you take valaciclovir as soon as you notice the first signs of an outbreak - such as tingling, itching or redness - you may be able to completely prevent the development of painful blisters. In clinical tests, valaciclovir prevented the development of painful blisters and ulcers in one third more patients who took the drug within 24 hours of noticing the first symptoms of the outbreak, compared to those who took a dummy (placebo).

Valaciclovir is taken twice a day when used as episodic treatment.

In many countries, valaciclovir can be used as 'suppressive' treatment. Clinical trials have proved it to prevent or delay up to 85% of herpes outbreaks. For suppressive treatment, you only need to take valaciclovir once a day, or possibly twice a day if outbreaks are very frequent.

Side effects with valaciclovir are usually mild and may include headache and nausea.

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    • This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

    I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.

    Answers to FAQs on women's health, patient information and medical advice by David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (Gynecologist - OBGYN), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Whipps Cross University Hospital, London





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