Herpes is a very difficult disease to live with because there is no cure for it as of now. This painful condition can flare up several times in a year, causing a lot of discomfort when it does. Genital herpes is especially bad because it can be extremely painful. If you suffer from this disease then you should certainly get the right medications. You should also avoid getting physically intimate with someone without taking the necessary precautions to prevent infecting your partner with the virus. The right treatment depends on whether your infection has happened for the first time or is an outbreak of a prior infection.
• A primary infection warrants treatment with a course of antiviral tablets. A five day treatment of Aciclovir, Famciclovir or Valaciclovir tablets is generally very effective. Do not misuse these tablets because they are very powerful and can also result in headaches and nausea.
• If you suffer from frequent attacks of Herpes, more than 6 times a year for instance, then you will be required to take the medicines for a long period. In fact, you might have to take the medicines twice a day for the duration of the treatment which can even extend to 6 months.
• Be sure to follow your physician's instructions very carefully when using these medications. It is absolutely essential for you to complete the course of medication as instructed by your doctor. Many people stop taking the medicines as soon as they experience a reduction in symptoms but this can cause further problems.
You can also reduce your dependence on powerful and costly medicines by following a few home remedies. They include:
• Using an ice pack to reduce pain, making sure that you do not harm the sensitive skin.
• Keeping the area clean and dry at all times so that skin doesn't stick to skin.
• Using petroleum jelly to protect blisters and reduce pain
• Drinking lots of water in order to reduce the acidity of urine, thereby bringing down the burning sensations as well. In extreme situations, you might have to urinate whilst sitting in a water bath.
You'll definitely be able to reduce the severity of your Herpes attacks or avoid them for the most part if you follow a combination of medical treatments and home remedies. At the same time, it is best to avoid taking medications that have to be applied topically because they will not help you get relief from this disease.
Herpes cannot be cured but it can definitely be kept under control. Find out what you can do to suppress the symptoms by taking a look at herpes cure.
There is a new study that shows some promise on how to treat herpes virus regarding a herpes vaccine. Researchers are working on this vaccine in hopes that it will prevent the infection in new patients. Unfortunately this vaccine will only work on those who do not have the virus and not for those who have already been exposed. However, there is hope for those who have herpes as there are now many ways in which to control and suppress the amount of outbreaks you may experience. The following is a list of medications available on how to treat the herpes virus.
Antiviral Medications
Antiviral medications help to stop the virus from multiplying on the surface of the skin. They are used to lessen the duration of time that the virus is on the skin and reduce the number of outbreaks a person will experience. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for treating herpes. Currently there are 3 herpes antiviral medications available in tablet form:
Acyclovir
This antiviral medication has been available since 1982 in a topical form (as an ointment) and sold since 1985 in tablet form. Acyclovir has been show to be safe to use continuously (every day) for as long as 10 years.
Valaciclovir
This is a newer drug and is most recognized by the brand name of Valtrex®. The active ingredient is acyclovir but delivers it more efficiently so that the body absorbs much of the drug which allows a person to take the medication fewer times a day.
Famciclovir
Famciclovir (brand name Famvir®) utilizes penciclovir as its active ingredient to stop HSV from replicating. Like valacyclovir, it is well absorbed, persists for a longer time in the body, and can be taken less frequently than acyclovir.
Antiviral medications are commonly prescribed for patients going through their first episode of genital herpes but can be used for recurrent episodes as well. These medications are readily available on the internet but it is highly recommended to see a physician before starting any of these treatments.
There are two kinds of treatment regimens approaches on how to treat herpes virus:
Episodic Therapy
This approach is used at the first sign of recurrence, ideally at the first signs of prodrome, which will speed up the healing. Episodic therapy offers a useful way to manage outbreaks by cutting the length of an outbreak considerably.
Suppressive Therapy
Suppressive therapy is taken daily to eliminate (suppress) outbreaks altogether. Continuous suppressive treatment will benefit those with genital herpes who experience severe, constant outbreaks because it significantly reduces both symptomatic and asymptomatic viral shedding which reduces the risk of transmission.
Both episodic and suppressive therapy is done with antiviral medications but in some cases this may not be possible. There might be situations where someone may have an allergic reaction to these drugs while others may not respond to the medication at all due to drug-resistant forms of herpes. Most doctors advise stopping suppressive therapy after a year in order to re-assess the activity of the disease and to reduce the risk of developing a viral resistance to the antiviral drugs.
Alternative Treatments
As herpes becomes a widely transmitted disease, people have successfully turned to alternative treatments for the stages of herpes. This includes natural treatments which have been clinically proven to help control and reduce the frequency of outbreaks. They are formulated around the basis of building up the immune system which prevents the recurrence of herpes. You can find out more about these best herpes treatment reviews to educate yourself more on these natural treatments.
The frequency of outbreaks can often be managed with effective stress management and getting adequate rest, nutrition, and exercise. It is a known fact that people who are depressed, carry more hostility, and are more easily aroused to anger suffer more frequent outbreaks as this type of stress on the body suppresses the immune system. Learning how to manage your stress and diet, such as knowing what kinds of foods trigger an outbreak, can be very beneficial to those who are looking for ways on how to treat herpes virus.
Learn more about the sings and symptoms and how to manage your outbreaks through natural treatments as well as controlling your stress and diet. There is life after herpes, it's just a matter of educating yourself on how to treat herpes virus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famciclovir