Treatment for genital herpes does not cure the disease, however, it helps to lessen the severity and duration of symptoms. For this, it must be started within the first 5 days from the appearance of the first lesions in the genital region.
Usually, the urologist or gynecologist prescribes the use of antivirals in pills, such as:
- Acyclovir;
- Fanciclovir;
- Valacyclovir.
The treatment time will depend on the chosen medicine and the treatment dose, but normally it is around 7 to 10 days, and it can also be associated with the use of an ointment with the same active principles.
Treatment for recurrent genital herpes
In cases of recurrent genital herpes, with more than 6 episodes per year, the doctor can prescribe a treatment for herpes with Acyclovir tablet, daily, for up to 12 months, reducing the chances of transmission and emergence of new attacks of symptoms.
Genital Herpes Ointments
Although they can be used, antiviral ointments for genital herpes should not be the first treatment option as they do not penetrate the skin properly and therefore may not have the desired effect. Thus, treatment should always be started with antiviral pills to reduce the severity of the infection and only after that an ointment should be associated, to try to facilitate healing.
Most of the time, antiviral ointments contain acyclovir and should be applied to the affected area up to 5 times a day.
In addition to these ointments, your doctor may also prescribe anesthetic creams containing lidocaine to lessen the pain and discomfort caused by the lesions. These creams should be used according to the indication of each doctor and the use of anesthetics containing Benzocaine should be avoided, as this can lead to aggravation of the lesions.
care during treatment
In addition to medical treatment, it is important to take some precautions during treatment, especially to avoid passing the infection on to other people and to alleviate symptoms:
- Avoid intimate contact while there are lesions, even with a condom, as the condom may not protect the other person against the released secretions;
- Wash the intimate area only with saline solution and, if necessary, add the use of a soap suitable for the intimate region;
- Wear cotton underwear, to allow the skin to breathe and prevent the accumulation of moisture in the area;
- drink plenty of fluids, such as water, tea or coconut water;
Another precaution that can help, especially if there is pain when urinating, is to urinate with the genitals immersed in warm water or, in the case of women, move the lips apart so that the urine does not settle in the lesions.
See also how diet can help fight herpes:
natural treatment option
An excellent natural treatment for genital herpes, which can complement the treatment prescribed by the doctor, is the marjoram sitz bath or the sitz bath with witch hazel, as these medicinal plants have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which in addition to helping to fight the herpes virus, they also facilitate healing.
See how to make these and other home treatments for genital herpes.
Treatment during pregnancy
In pregnancy, treatment should be indicated by the obstetrician, but it is usually also done with Acyclovir tablets, when:
- A pregnant woman has symptoms of recurrent herpes during pregnancy: treatment is started from 36 weeks of gestation until delivery;
- The pregnant woman is infected for the first time during pregnancy: treatment should be done during the remainder of the pregnancy, and a cesarean is usually recommended to avoid passing the virus on to the baby.
In the case of pregnant women with recurrent herpes, vaginal delivery can be performed if the woman does not have vaginal sores, as the risk of transmitting the infection is low.
When not treated properly, the herpes virus can be transmitted to the baby, causing neonatal herpes, which is an infection that can affect the central nervous system and put the baby’s life at risk. Learn about the risks of genital herpes in pregnancy.
Signs of improvement in genital herpes
Signs of improvement in genital herpes may appear from the 5th day of treatment and include pain reduction and wound healing in the patient’s intimate region.
Signs of Worsening Genital Herpes
When the treatment is not done properly, signs of worsening genital herpes may appear, characterized by swelling and redness in the region, as well as filling the wounds with pus.
Also, genital herpes can be carried to other places in the body when a person does not wash their hands after touching the intimate area.
Complications of Genital Herpes
The main complication of genital herpes is the infection of the wounds when care during the treatment is not done properly, and when this happens, the patient must go to the hospital as it may be necessary to take an antibiotic.
Furthermore, when the person has intimate contact without a condom and the wounds have not healed, there is a greater chance of getting HIV and other sexual diseases if the partner is infected.
