Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreatmentWhat Not to DoFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treatment
What Not to Do
Frequently Asked Questions
Genital herpesis asexually transmitted infection(STI) that causes painful fluid-filled bumps to form in the genital area. It is incredibly common, and roughly 12.1% of the United States population aged 14-49 has HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes.Once a person contracts the herpes simplex 2 virus (HSV-2), it stays in the body for life.
After a person becomes infected, they will experience periods with no symptoms and periods with symptoms (outbreaks) throughout their lifetime. Some people may not have recurrent symptoms or outbreaks. Genital herpes is incurable, but there are many treatment options available to help manage outbreaks.
This article discusses the various types of treatments available for people with genital herpes.
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Genital Herpes Treatment
There are several different forms of treatment people can explore after being diagnosed with genital herpes. They include:
Home Remedies
Home remedies for genital herpes are designed to help manage the symptoms during an outbreak. However, they will not treat the outbreak itself. Some possible home remedies that can make an outbreak easier to cope with include:
How Often Do Herpes Outbreaks Occur?Outbreak frequency varies greatly from person to person. The average number of outbreaks for a person with the HSV-2 virus is four to five per year, while the average for HSV-1 is less than one outbreak per year. Usually, outbreaks are more common during the first year and become less frequent over time.
How Often Do Herpes Outbreaks Occur?
Outbreak frequency varies greatly from person to person. The average number of outbreaks for a person with the HSV-2 virus is four to five per year, while the average for HSV-1 is less than one outbreak per year. Usually, outbreaks are more common during the first year and become less frequent over time.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle factors play into contracting herpes, and they can also be used to help manage the disease. One of the most important lifestyle changes to implement is practicing safer sex.
You can still be sexually active as long as you take the proper precautions, such aswearing a condomduring sexual activities and avoiding sexual contact during an outbreak. Even though a person may not have symptoms, they can still spread genital herpes.
Your diet may also play a role in outbreaks. Eating a healthy diet full of whole foods is a good way to reduce the frequency of genital herpes symptoms.
Foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean protein sources are thought to boost the immune system, which may contribute to a reduced frequency of outbreaks.
Lifestyle Triggers and Herpes OutbreaksCertain stressors in life can make herpes outbreaks more likely to occur or even bring on an outbreak. These include:FatigueIrritation to the genital areaInjuriesEmotional or physical stressMenstruation
Lifestyle Triggers and Herpes Outbreaks
Certain stressors in life can make herpes outbreaks more likely to occur or even bring on an outbreak. These include:FatigueIrritation to the genital areaInjuriesEmotional or physical stressMenstruation
Certain stressors in life can make herpes outbreaks more likely to occur or even bring on an outbreak. These include:
Living With Herpes
Supplements
Certain supplements may help reduce how often a person experiences genital herpes symptoms. One such supplement isL-lysine, which is a type of amino acid that the body uses to help build protein. Research has found that the supplement, in high doses of over 3 grams daily, can reduce how often a person experience symptoms.
Zinccan either reduce the number of outbreaks a person experiences or help with symptoms during an outbreak.
How Long Do Herpes Outbreaks Last?The first time a person experiences a herpes outbreak, it can last anywhere from two to four weeks. However, when symptoms do appear again after that first outbreak has cleared, they typically only last between three to seven days.
How Long Do Herpes Outbreaks Last?
The first time a person experiences a herpes outbreak, it can last anywhere from two to four weeks. However, when symptoms do appear again after that first outbreak has cleared, they typically only last between three to seven days.
Medications
Antiviral medicationsare the first-choice form of treatment for people with genital herpes. They are used to reduce symptoms as well as the duration and frequency of outbreaks.
The first line antiviral chosen to treat genital herpes is the antiviral medicationAcyclovir. It is typically given orally, but in more mild cases, it can be used directly on the skin as a lotion or cream.Other antivirals that may be used includevalacyclovirandfamciclovir.
The type you are given will depend on your specific case in terms of how severe it is and how well you tolerate the medication.
How Long Do I Have to Take Medication For?There are two ways you can take medication for genital herpes. One is every day to prevent outbreaks and/or transmission to your partner and the other is only during the course of an outbreak. The choice will be yours when you begin treatment.
How Long Do I Have to Take Medication For?
There are two ways you can take medication for genital herpes. One is every day to prevent outbreaks and/or transmission to your partner and the other is only during the course of an outbreak. The choice will be yours when you begin treatment.
What Not to Do If You Have Herpes
You should avoid doing certain things when you have genital herpes because they can make managing it that much more difficult. Things to avoid include:
Herpes Treatment and Sexual Activity
What Does Herpes Look Like?
Summary
Genital herpes can cause painful, blister-like sores in the genital area. When a person is diagnosed with the infection, they will have to treat and cope with it for life. There are many available treatments designed to relieve symptoms and reduce the frequency and duration of outbreaks.
The mainstay treatment for genital herpes is antiviral medications, but utilizing at-home remedies, natural treatments, and lifestyle changes such as supplementation and healthy eating can all go a long way when managing genital herpes infection.
A Word From Verywell
There is a stigma attached to genital herpes and for many people with the infection, struggling with feelings of shame can be a constant battle. The important thing to remember if you have been diagnosed with genital herpes is that the viral infection is incredibly common and highly treatable.
Knowing what you should and shouldn’t do before, during, and after an outbreak will ensure that you don’t transmit the virus to others and manage your symptoms when outbreaks occur. In addition, if you practice ongoing treatment and follow guidelines, genital herpes is much easier to cope with.
Treatments That Heal Herpes Sores Faster
There are various things that can trigger genital herpes outbreaks depending on the person. One major trigger is emotional or physical stress. Other triggers can include fatigue, injuries, or irritation in the genital area.
There is no set time that a person will have herpes sores. That said, the average length of time a person experiences an outbreak is roughly three to seven days. The first outbreak, however, lasts much longer at two to four weeks.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Medline Plus.Genital herpes - self-care.American Sexual Health Organization.Herpes signs and symptoms.Ike AC, Onu CJ, Ononugbo CM, Reward EE, Muo SO.Immune response to herpes simplex virus infection and vaccine development.Vaccines (Basel).2020;8(2):302. doi:10.3390/vaccines8020302Mailoo VJ, Rampes S.Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: a review of the evidence.Integr Med (Encinitas).2017;16(3):42-46.Ranjbar Z, Zahed M, Ranjbar MA, Shirmardan Z.Comparative study of serum zinc concentration in recurrent herpes labialis patients and healthy individuals.BMC Oral Health.20208;20(1):296. doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01277-2The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Genital herpes.Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Medline Plus.Genital herpes - self-care.American Sexual Health Organization.Herpes signs and symptoms.Ike AC, Onu CJ, Ononugbo CM, Reward EE, Muo SO.Immune response to herpes simplex virus infection and vaccine development.Vaccines (Basel).2020;8(2):302. doi:10.3390/vaccines8020302Mailoo VJ, Rampes S.Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: a review of the evidence.Integr Med (Encinitas).2017;16(3):42-46.Ranjbar Z, Zahed M, Ranjbar MA, Shirmardan Z.Comparative study of serum zinc concentration in recurrent herpes labialis patients and healthy individuals.BMC Oral Health.20208;20(1):296. doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01277-2The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Genital herpes.Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Medline Plus.Genital herpes - self-care.American Sexual Health Organization.Herpes signs and symptoms.Ike AC, Onu CJ, Ononugbo CM, Reward EE, Muo SO.Immune response to herpes simplex virus infection and vaccine development.Vaccines (Basel).2020;8(2):302. doi:10.3390/vaccines8020302Mailoo VJ, Rampes S.Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: a review of the evidence.Integr Med (Encinitas).2017;16(3):42-46.Ranjbar Z, Zahed M, Ranjbar MA, Shirmardan Z.Comparative study of serum zinc concentration in recurrent herpes labialis patients and healthy individuals.BMC Oral Health.20208;20(1):296. doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01277-2The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Genital herpes.Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.
Medline Plus.Genital herpes - self-care.
American Sexual Health Organization.Herpes signs and symptoms.
Ike AC, Onu CJ, Ononugbo CM, Reward EE, Muo SO.Immune response to herpes simplex virus infection and vaccine development.Vaccines (Basel).2020;8(2):302. doi:10.3390/vaccines8020302
Mailoo VJ, Rampes S.Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: a review of the evidence.Integr Med (Encinitas).2017;16(3):42-46.
Ranjbar Z, Zahed M, Ranjbar MA, Shirmardan Z.Comparative study of serum zinc concentration in recurrent herpes labialis patients and healthy individuals.BMC Oral Health.20208;20(1):296. doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01277-2
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Genital herpes.
Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494
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