If you experience recurrent genital herpes outbreaks, you may be offered oral herpes treatments which are pills you take by mouth. Examples of antiviral drugs include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.
These are all standard options proven to help decrease the severity and length of outbreaks from herpes CDC, Many people on antiviral therapy report experiencing no herpes symptoms at all CDC, Using medication within the first 24 hours of symptoms can shorten outbreaks by several hours or days, ultimately reducing any discomfort in the long run Albrecht, There is some evidence that low-level laser therapy may help shorten the length of a herpes outbreak.
The procedure is typically performed by a dermatologist. LLLT uses mild lasers to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation and pain. One study found that using an LLLT device three minutes a day for two days was enough to reduce healing time by 2—3 days Cauthen, As we mentioned, following you first herpes infection, the virus lies dormant in your nerves. Your immune system usually keeps it at bay. But your immune system can only deal with so much at once.
Different types of stress can also trigger outbreaks. Psychological stress, especially the stress caused by extreme emotional upset, can lead to an outbreak Yan, Things that cause physical stress can also contribute.
Sunlight is a common trigger of oral herpes outbreaks, while friction from tight clothing or sex, and even hormone changes associated with menstruation, are common triggers of genital herpes outbreaks Lautenschlager, Speak to a healthcare provider about your options and which treatments might be effective for preventing or shortening your outbreaks. Types of Herpes There are two types of herpes , both of which stem from the herpes simplex virus HSV : Herpes simplex virus type 1 HSV-1 : This form of the virus usually causes oral herpes.
The main symptom of HSV-1 is cold sores. Herpes simplex virus type 2 HSV-2 : This form of the virus usually causes genital herpes. The main symptom of HSV-2 is genital sores. Onset of First Outbreak The first outbreak of oral herpes usually develops within about one to three weeks after infection. Herpes Outbreak Symptoms Generally, the first outbreak of herpes is more severe than recurrences that follow. Though sores are the most noticeable sign of infection, there are a number of other symptoms of herpes that typically occur only during the first outbreak, including flu-like symptoms such as: Fever.
Muscle aches. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The following is an approximate timeline for the first outbreak of oral or genital herpes after infection: Warning signs : About 12 to 24 hours before an outbreak, itching, burning, or tingling sensations are felt where the cold sores are about to appear. Blister formation: On day one of the outbreak, blisters appear as fluid-filled red bumps that are painful to the touch.
Sore formation: The blisters rupture and the fluid inside which is usually clear or yellowish in color oozes out. The resulting sores continue to weep for a day or so. Scab formation: On about day four or five of the outbreak, the sores start to crust over. The scabs that form may crack or bleed as the sores heal. The skin underneath will still be a bit pink or reddish. Over the next one to two weeks, the area where the cold sore appeared will heal completely and return to its normal tone.
Differences Between Oral and Genital Herpes Outbreaks The location of the sores is the main difference between the two types of herpes. The sensitivity of viral culture can be low, especially among people who have recurrent or healing lesions.
Because viral shedding is intermittent, it is possible for someone to have a genital herpes infection even though it was not detected by NAAT or culture. Type-specific virologic tests can be used for diagnosing genital herpes when a person has recurrent symptoms or lesion without a confirmatory NAAT, culture result, or has a partner with genital herpes.
Both virologic tests and type-specific serologic tests should be available in clinical settings serving patients with, or at risk for, sexually transmitted infections.
If confirmatory tests are unavailable, patients should be counseled about the limitations of available testing before serologic testing.
Healthcare providers should also be aware that false-positive results occur. In instances of suspected recent acquisition, serologic testing within 12 weeks after acquisition may be associated with false negative test results.
HSV-1 serologic testing does not distinguish between oral and genital infection, and typically should not be performed for diagnosing genital HSV-1 infection. Diagnosis of genital HSV-1 infection is confirmed by virologic tests from lesions. Patients who are at higher risk of infection e. There is no cure for herpes. Antiviral medications can, however, prevent or shorten outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. There is currently no commercially available vaccine that is protective against genital herpes infection.
Candidate vaccines are in clinical trials. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of transmitting or acquiring genital herpes because herpes virus shedding can occur in areas that are not covered by a condom. The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs, including genital herpes, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for STDs and is known to be uninfected.
Persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity with partners when herpes lesions or other symptoms of herpes are present. It is important to know that even if a person does not have any symptoms, he or she can still infect sex partners. Sex partners of infected persons should be advised that they may become infected and they should use condoms to reduce the risk.
Sex partners can seek testing to determine if they are infected with HSV. Daily treatment with valacyclovir decreases the rate of HSV-2 transmission in discordant, heterosexual couples in which the source partner has a history of genital HSV-2 infection. Counseling those with genital herpes, as well as their sex partners, is critical. It can help patients cope with the infection and prevent further spread into the community.
More information is available at www. Sexually transmitted infections among US women and men: Prevalence and incidence estimates, Sex Transm Dis ; in press.
Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14— United States, — Trends in herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 seroprevalence in the United States. Only go to a clinic if you've been told to. Find sexual health clinic contact details.
Go even if you have not had sex for a long time, as blisters can take months or years to appear. You can see a GP, but they'll probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you might have genital herpes.
Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment. They'll often get test results quicker than GP practices and you do not have to pay a prescription fee for treatment.
Find a sexual health clinic. Symptoms might not appear for weeks or even years after you're infected with the herpes virus. If you have genital herpes, your previous sexual partners should get tested. The doctor or nurse at the clinic can discuss this with you and help you tell your partners without letting them know it's you who has the virus. There's no cure. Symptoms clear up by themselves, but the blisters can come back an outbreak or recurrence.
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