Treatments for Herpes Simplex

Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, and can appear in two forms--oral and/or genital. As a virus, it is not possible to technically "cure" herpes, but its symptoms can be treated through medication.

Herpes Transmission

• The herpes simplex virus (HSV) occurs as either Type 1 or Type 2. HSV Type 1 generally occurs on the face and in the mouth, but may infrequently be present in the genital region. HSV Type 2 most often occurs in the genital reason, but may rarely occur in other locations.

  It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of the adult population of the United States is infected with HSV Type 1 (commonly known as "cold sores"), however the vast majority of these people will never show symptoms in their lifetime. Most HSV Type 1 infections are acquired during infancy and childhood. HSV Type 1 can be transmitted by kissing, sharing utensils or by sharing towels.

  HSV Type 2 is the more severe form of herpes, and is acquired through sexual contact. HSV Type 2 is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This sexually transmitted version of herpes is estimated to infect anywhere between 5 and 20 million adults in the United States.

Herpes Symptoms

• Herpes symptoms usually appear 7 to 20 days after infection, after which the virus retreats into a dormant state. The first symptoms may be so mild as to go by unnoticed, and recurrent infections and appearance of symptoms may happen weeks, months, or years later, or never at all. HSV Type 1 is characterized by small, clear, fluid filled blisters, usually in the mouth. HSV Type 2 is more serious, and produces painful blisters and sores in the genital region. Itching, headaches, aching muscles and painful urination can accompany these outbreaks.

Herpes Treatment

• Recurring herpes symptoms can be treated with an assortment of drugs. These drugs are acyclovir and its newer derivatives, valacyclovir and famiciclovir. Medication can be taken in two ways; episodic therapy and suppressive therapy. In episodic therapy, the medication is taken only during an outbreak, and reduces the duration of the outbreak. Suppressive therapy requires taking medication daily, as the drugs work to prevent future outbreaks and keep the virus in its dormant state.