Treatment for HSV
HSV, although it can be a chronic condition, is generally not considered a serious health issue. Home remedies can help relieve the pain and discomfort that herpes blisters cause. They may also speed up healing. Antiviral medications can reduce the likelihood of recurrent outbreaks and the spread of the virus. HSV is not treatable, but many people live with it for years before experiencing an episode. The virus may not have any effect on your daily activities. It is still important to talk about HSV before engaging in any sexual activity. These tips may help you start the conversation.
Some preventive measures may also help to reduce the risk of HSV transmission:
- Share your toothbrush and razor with only one person.
- Use a cotton pad to apply medication and reduce your contact with sores
- Avoid kissing or oral sex if you have oral HSV from the moment you notice the early symptoms until the sores have completely healed.
- After applying medicine or touching sores, wash your hands often
- Avoid skin-to-genital contact if you have genital HSV from the time you first notice the symptoms until the sore has healed.
Consider what your current diagnosis will mean for your sexual life in the future. Learn more about dating while having herpes. Visit your doctor as soon as you suspect that you may have herpes. When there are sores, it is easier to diagnose. It is possible to start treatment sooner and experience less pain. Herpes has no known treatment. Medicines may be helpful.
You may give them a cream or pill. Valacyclovir, acyclovir, and other medicines fight the herpesvirus. Most people may find that they reduce pain and increase healing. These medicines can be used to treat a primary outbreak, or one that recurs. If you are using the medicine to treat a recurrence of an outbreak, it is important that you start taking them as soon as there is any burning, tingling or itching. You can also take them daily to prevent recurrences. (6)