subject: Antiviral Medications for Genital Herpes [print this page] Antiviral Medications for Genital Herpes Antiviral Medications for Genital Herpes
Every year, more than 1.4 million people in the UK suffer from genital infections such as genital herpes, genital warts and yeast infections. Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The contagious nature of the infection makes it risky to have sex, even oral sex, with your partner if any of you has the HSV virus. It is more prevalent among women than men. It is estimated that one out of four women carries the virus. Fortunately with the introduction of safe and reliable antiviral medicines such as Famvir and Valtrex, it is possible to treat the infection effectively.
What is the nature of the infection?
Genital herpes is somewhat difficult to treat as the initial symptoms may fool you into believing that you have caught other genital infections. The herpes infection has two phases primary outbreak and secondary or active outbreak. With innocuous rashes and pimples sprouting in the genital area, the symptoms may go entirely unnoticed by you during the primary outbreak. But this is when you need to consult a doctor to know what's causing those rashes or any other irritation you may be experiencing. Keep in mind that once the herpes virus enters human body, it remains there for an indefinite period. So the antiviral medications basically suppress the incidence of virus attacks.
How do I get to know if I carry HSV?
To know whether or not you carry the herpes virus, you need to watch out for appearance of red blisters and sores in your genital area. Such symptoms normally occur during the active phase of the herpes infection. But ideally, you should seek medical intervention well before the active phase.
What is the significance of antiviral medications?
The tremendous pain and irritation caused by genital herpes sometimes become quite unbearable for people suffering from it. Only a strong antiviral medicine such as Famvir or Valtrex has the clinical power to subdue the active herpes virus and keep it in a dormant mode. Both of them are available on prescription and both are high-dose medicines. Because of the high dose, they are fast-acting and capable to prevent future outbreaks of the infection.
Famvir
This oral pill is used for both occasional and long-term restrictive treatment of the herpes virus. Famvir comes in doses of 125mg, 250mg and 500mg and you need to take a pill within 24 hours from noticing the first symptom of herpes. It works by transforming itself to another anti virus called penciclovir. Penciclovir prevents the HSV virus from multiplying and affecting undamaged cells around the genital.
Valtrex
Valtrex is another antiviral medicine you can rely on for safe treatment of genital herpes. The pill is considered far more effective for people over 50 years of age. A single pill everyday will ensure total disappearance of the visible symptoms, but only if you complete the prescribed course. Also, have sex in a safe and protected manner while you are undergoing the antiviral therapy. For women who breastfeed their child, Valtrex is generally not recommended.
