When diagnosed with genital herpes, do you have to take medication daily?
Someone told me they had herpes but only had one ‘flare up’ so to speak and it was oover 4 years ago but they were never prescribed any daily medication?? Is that possible?
Of course. The majority of people with herpes do NOT take daily medication. I don’t. Herpes is normally such a mild infection – it is the stigma that is the bad bit.
A lot of people take daily meds becasue it can reduce the chances of passing herpes on to your partner by 50%.
Some people who get bad outbreaks (over 8 a year) take it to reduce the severity and frequency – it doesn’t stop you getting them all together.
Most people with herpes actually have it very mildly – they may never get a second outbreak, or if they do it is only a minor annoyance. I only know I have outrbeaks because I watch for them like a hawk – otherwise I might not even notice. They don’t hurt. It is like asking whether people who get cold sores but haven’t had one for years have to take medication every day (cold sores are oral herpes).
Plus, the meds are horrendously expensive. I couldn’t afford to take them every day even if I wanted to. And I don’t, because there is no way I am putting drugs in my system daily for something so minor!
I get quite a few outbreaks, I occasionally use meds when I start with symptoms to prevent the outbreak – what they call ‘episodic therapy’.
As to frequency of attacks, yes it is quite possible your friend has not had an outbreak for so long. Herpes isn’t quite the ogre it is made out to be.
80% of people with herpes don’t get any symptoms. Up to half only get one outbreak, and many people go for years in between. The average is one every 2 years if you have genital hsv-1 and 6 a year if you have genital hsv-2.
However, many people have fewer outbreaks than this. My sister also has genital herpes and she didn’t have an outbreak for 6 years after her first.
For many people, the only way they realise they have herpes is through a blood test, for example when pregnant – they never would have known otherwise. A quarter of the population is infected – but most of us don’t have a clue.
November 14th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Yes if you only have occasionally flare ups you don’t have to take a daily medication. If you have alot of flare ups the meds help to lesson the symptoms and have more time between flare ups. But even if someone hasn’t had a flare up for 4 years you can still get it from them.
References :
November 14th, 2009 at 6:39 am
That is possible with any kind of herpes. Most people carry SOME form of the herpes virus.
It is possible to only ever have a flare up once, then never again. The daily medication is for people who have frequent flare-ups. The medication is meant to suppress the virus.
There is no cure.
References :
November 14th, 2009 at 6:49 am
yes, u only get medications during a flare up.
References :
November 14th, 2009 at 7:02 am
No. Medications like Valtrex can be taken on an as-needed basis or daily as a suppressant. However, most people only take it as a suppressant if they have frequent, recurring outbreaks or are having sex with a partner who does not have Herpes, as a way to reduce the chance of transmission.
I was diagnosed with HSV2 but have never had an outbreak. Many people never have symptoms or only show symptoms during an initial outbreak.
Remember that Herpes can be spread with or without symptoms, while taking supressant medication, through oral sex, and while wearing a condom. Most STD screenings do not test for Herpes. 1 in 4 women have Herpes, and 1 in 5 men have it. There is current no cure.
Hope that helps.
References :
HSV2+
November 14th, 2009 at 7:20 am
You dont have to take the medication, take it if you want, dont take it if you feel it isnt necessary. Most feel it is necessary, end up taking it and end up having frequent outbreaks, those who take it, often have very few outbreaks. I personally never took a single pill and have been pretty good for the last year, and Im not crying about the pain and what not, because I have none. I find the people with the worst symptoms are the ones taking medication. I can only recommend you do not take it, if you do, you will never ever cure herpes, EVER.
References :
Have hs1, hsv-2, hpv.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Treatment Overview
The goal of treatment for genital herpes is to provide relief from the discomfort of herpes sores and to reduce the time it takes for an outbreak to heal.
Initial treatment
Most people find some relief and recover more quickly from the first (primary) outbreak of genital herpes by taking antiviral medications.
Use medications to relieve symptoms and speed healing of blisters and sores.
Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex) are usually recommended for treating primary genital herpes outbreaks.
Nonprescription medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may reduce the pain and fever from genital herpes.
Use home treatment, such as taking warm sitz baths and wearing cotton underwear, to promote healing of herpes sores and reduce the risk of recurrent outbreaks. For more information, see the Home Treatment section of this topic.
Take steps to prevent the spread of genital herpes. These include avoiding any sexual contact if you or your partner have symptoms or are being treated for genital herpes. For more information, see the Prevention section of this topic.
Studies show that antiviral medication can reduce the time it takes a primary outbreak to heal by 4 days. 2 The medication also decreases the number of days you can spread the virus (are contagious).
Taking antiviral medication for the primary genital herpes outbreak does not prevent genital herpes outbreaks from recurring.
Ongoing treatment
The decision to take antiviral medications for recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes depends on how long the outbreaks last, how severe they are, and how often they return. People who do not have frequent or severe outbreaks may not want to take medication on a regular basis.
Antiviral medications reduce the time it takes for genital herpes sores to heal and helps prevent some outbreaks. Antiviral medications have the potential added benefit of reducing the amount of time people can transmit HSV to their sex partner(s).
People can take antiviral medication for recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes either:
Every day. Some people take antiviral medication every day to help reduce the risk of recurrent outbreaks and reduce how long a recurrent outbreak lasts. Antiviral medication may reduce the number of outbreaks by about one or two episodes a year.
As needed. Some people take antiviral medication when they first notice the prodromal symptoms (tingling and pain) of a recurrent outbreak. Medications used only for 2 or 3 days must be used at higher doses than when taken every day to be effective. Antiviral medication can reduce the time it takes for the sores to heal by 2 days. 2
A recent study has shown that an HSV-infected person in a heterosexual, single-partner (monogamous) relationship who takes valacyclovir daily to prevent recurrent outbreaks reduces the risk of infecting his or her partner. 3 Other antiviral medications may also reduce transmission but further study is needed.
Home treatment, such as taking warm sitz baths and wearing cotton underwear, can promote healing of herpes sores and reduce the risk of recurrent outbreaks. For more information, see the Home Treatment section of this topic.
You can reduce the risk of transmitting HSV to your sex partner(s) by taking steps to prevent the spread of genital herpes. These include avoiding any sexual contact if you or your partner have symptoms or are being treated for genital herpes. For more information, see the Prevention section of this topic.
Treatment during pregnancy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published guidelines about the use of antiviral medications for genital herpes during pregnancy. 1
Oral acyclovir may be given to pregnant women for a primary HSV infection or for severe recurrent outbreaks.
Oral acyclovir may be given to pregnant women at any time during the pregnancy, including the first trimester.
Acyclovir may be given intravenously (IV) to pregnant women with severe HSV infection.
Acyclovir may reduce the frequency of recurrent outbreaks in pregnant women close to delivery, thereby reducing the possibility of needing a cesarean section at the time of delivery.
If a genital herpes blister or sore is present at the time of labor and delivery, a cesarean section is usually done. Cesarean section may be recommended if a woman has tingling or pain (prodromal symptoms), suggesting an impending outbreak . Acyclovir (Zovirax) used in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy may reduce the need for delivery by cesarean section by reducing the risk of a recurrent outbreak at the time of delivery.
References :
http://health.yahoo.com/sexualhealth-treatment/genital-herpes-treatment-overview/healthwise–te3055.html
November 14th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Of course. The majority of people with herpes do NOT take daily medication. I don’t. Herpes is normally such a mild infection – it is the stigma that is the bad bit.
A lot of people take daily meds becasue it can reduce the chances of passing herpes on to your partner by 50%.
Some people who get bad outbreaks (over 8 a year) take it to reduce the severity and frequency – it doesn’t stop you getting them all together.
Most people with herpes actually have it very mildly – they may never get a second outbreak, or if they do it is only a minor annoyance. I only know I have outrbeaks because I watch for them like a hawk – otherwise I might not even notice. They don’t hurt. It is like asking whether people who get cold sores but haven’t had one for years have to take medication every day (cold sores are oral herpes).
Plus, the meds are horrendously expensive. I couldn’t afford to take them every day even if I wanted to. And I don’t, because there is no way I am putting drugs in my system daily for something so minor!
I get quite a few outbreaks, I occasionally use meds when I start with symptoms to prevent the outbreak – what they call ‘episodic therapy’.
As to frequency of attacks, yes it is quite possible your friend has not had an outbreak for so long. Herpes isn’t quite the ogre it is made out to be.
80% of people with herpes don’t get any symptoms. Up to half only get one outbreak, and many people go for years in between. The average is one every 2 years if you have genital hsv-1 and 6 a year if you have genital hsv-2.
However, many people have fewer outbreaks than this. My sister also has genital herpes and she didn’t have an outbreak for 6 years after her first.
For many people, the only way they realise they have herpes is through a blood test, for example when pregnant – they never would have known otherwise. A quarter of the population is infected – but most of us don’t have a clue.
References :