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Treatment options for genital herpes infection.

Resolved Question:

Hello doctor,

I am a 23 years old male. I recently got tested to have genital herpes. But still I haven’t got an outbreak of the infection. Is there any way to prevent an infection? Can any vaccines help in preventing outbreak? What are the available treatment options for genital herpes? Please help me with this. Thanks for your time.

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Category: Family Physician-GP
 32 Doctors Online

It is really unfortunate to know that you are infected with genital herpes. Genital herpes is a virus infection caused by Herpes Simplex Virus. Of the two types of HSV, HSV type 2 causes genital herpes. Just like many other viral infections, effective treatment for herpes has not been found yet. There is no medication known till date to eradicate herpes virus completely from body. Anyway, treatment is done to alleviate the effects of virus infection in human body during an outbreak. Once infected, there is no way to prevent an outbreak. But it can happen now or then according to the physical conditions and immunity power of the person. Oral medications used to treat viral infections are used to treat this also. Medicines like acyclovir, Valtrex, etc. are used to decrease the reach and depth of infection. But these medicines, in no way remove the virus entirely from human body. You can get medicines in names Zovirax, Famvir, Valtrx, Famicicloviretc. to treat herpes outbreak. Anyway, they cannot be used in a routine manner to prevent infection. Sometimes this is administered intravenously to increase effectiveness of the medication. Anyway, it is worth remembering that these are all not cures but only helps in reducing the depth and severity of symptoms of an outbreak. It is the first outbreak of HSV which is the most severe one. But the medications are not seen to postpone an outbreak or reduce number of outbreaks. To reduce severity of infection, doctors administer this drug to the patient on the onset of pre-symptoms like tingling sensation in skin.  Herpes being a viral infection and STD, management is essential. However no medications are fool-proof to eradicate the virus from body after an infection. Anyway, you can opt for natural therapies also to ease out the situations created by the herpes virus. Nowadays many people rely on hypericum and mysorene related therapies which they think that are efficient in treating herpes. Scientific medical research is not yet done on the field to prove the effectiveness of such therapies. You can decrease severity of infection through dieting also. It is better to avoid foods like almonds, chocolates, peanuts etc. which are rich in arginine. Arginine increases number of outbreaks of herpes infection. Alcohols and processed stored foods also increase chances of recurrence. Consume more green leafy vegetables and vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, kale etc. It is wise to avoid animal based foods and fried foods if you suspect of a nearing outbreak. Hope my answer helped. Take care and get well.


Dr. Cecelia J. Russ
Category: Family Physician-GP
Experience: 
- Medical School - New York Institute of Technology, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Duke University Medical Center, Residency in Family Medicine
Dr. Cecelia J. Russ and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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