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Suggest Better Treatment For Genital Herpes
Question: This is not about me this is about my 29 year old daughter. She is a hard working woman self supporting and a good person. Two months ago she contracted herpes and the worst case 2 Dr.'s had seen.The problem is she knows she will never get to have a relationship since this is contagious and she would never want to give this to anyone. Is there any hope of a cure? What advice can I possibley give her as far as a future? I am at a loss for advice. She doesn't think there is a future for her at all.
Brief Answer:
It can be suppressed but not cured.
Detailed Answer:
HI,
I can understand your concerns.
The treatment for herpes generally is aciclovir, which you will need to take five times a day.
Aciclovir works by preventing HSV from multiplying. However, it does not clear the virus from your body completely and does not have any effect once you stop taking it.
She will need to take a course of aciclovir for at least five days, or longer if she still has new blisters and open sores forming on the genital area when her treatment begins.
Other antiviral medications that may be used to treat genital herpes include famciclovir and valaciclovir.
Also
Keep the affected area clean using either plain or salt water. This will help prevent blisters or ulcers from becoming infected and may encourage them to heal quicker. It will also stop affected areas from sticking together.
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a flannel, or cold, wet, tea bags on the sores to help soothe pain and speed up the healing process. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
Apply petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, or an anaesthetic (painkilling) cream, such as 5% lidocaine, to any blisters or ulcers to reduce the pain when you pass urine.
Drink plenty of fluids to dilute your urine. This will make passing urine less painful. Passing urine while sitting in a bath or while pouring water over your genitals may also help.
Avoid wearing tight clothing because it may irritate the blisters and ulcers.
It is important to note that while suppressive treatment can reduce the risk of passing HSV on to her partner, it cannot prevent it altogether.
So yes she can live a symptom free life if she takes medicines regularly. But NO there is no 100% guarantee that she will not pass it to her partner even in the period when she is symptom free. And there is NO permanent cure.
Regards,
Dr.Som M.D.
It can be suppressed but not cured.
Detailed Answer:
HI,
I can understand your concerns.
The treatment for herpes generally is aciclovir, which you will need to take five times a day.
Aciclovir works by preventing HSV from multiplying. However, it does not clear the virus from your body completely and does not have any effect once you stop taking it.
She will need to take a course of aciclovir for at least five days, or longer if she still has new blisters and open sores forming on the genital area when her treatment begins.
Other antiviral medications that may be used to treat genital herpes include famciclovir and valaciclovir.
Also
Keep the affected area clean using either plain or salt water. This will help prevent blisters or ulcers from becoming infected and may encourage them to heal quicker. It will also stop affected areas from sticking together.
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a flannel, or cold, wet, tea bags on the sores to help soothe pain and speed up the healing process. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
Apply petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, or an anaesthetic (painkilling) cream, such as 5% lidocaine, to any blisters or ulcers to reduce the pain when you pass urine.
Drink plenty of fluids to dilute your urine. This will make passing urine less painful. Passing urine while sitting in a bath or while pouring water over your genitals may also help.
Avoid wearing tight clothing because it may irritate the blisters and ulcers.
It is important to note that while suppressive treatment can reduce the risk of passing HSV on to her partner, it cannot prevent it altogether.
So yes she can live a symptom free life if she takes medicines regularly. But NO there is no 100% guarantee that she will not pass it to her partner even in the period when she is symptom free. And there is NO permanent cure.
Regards,
Dr.Som M.D.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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