- Treatment for recurrent genital herpes
- Ointments for genital herpes
- Care during treatment
- Natural treatment option
- Treatment during pregnancy
- Signs of improvement of genital herpes
- Signs of worsening of genital herpes
- Complications of genital herpes
Treatment for genital herpes does not cure the disease, however, it does help to decrease the severity and duration of symptoms. For this, it must be started in the first 5 days since the appearance of the first lesions in the genital region.
Usually, the urologist or gynecologist prescribes the use of antiviral pills, such as:
- Acyclovir; Fanciclovir; Valacyclovir.
The treatment time will depend on the chosen medication and the treatment dose, but it is usually about 7 to 10 days, and the use of an ointment with the same active ingredients can also be associated.
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 Aciclovir tablet, daily, for up to 12 months, reducing the chances of transmission and the appearance of new crises of symptoms.
Ointments for genital herpes
Although antiviral ointments for genital herpes should not be used as 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 decrease the severity of the infection and only then an ointment should be added to try to facilitate healing.
Most of the times, antiviral ointments contain acyclovir and should be applied to the affected area up to 5 times a day.
In addition to these ointments, the doctor may also prescribe anesthetic creams, containing lidocaine, to reduce pain and discomfort caused by injuries. These creams should be used according to the recommendation of each doctor and the use of anesthetics containing Benzocaine should be avoided, as it can lead to the worsening of injuries.
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 others and to relieve symptoms:
- Avoid intimate contact while there are injuries, even with condoms, as condoms may not protect the other person from released secretions; Wash the intimate area only with saline and, if necessary, add the use of a soap suitable for the intimate area; 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, spreading the lips so that the urine does not stick to the lesions.
See also how the 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 witch hazel sitz bath, as these medicinal plants have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which in addition to helping to fight the herpes virus, also facilitate healing.
Here's how to do these and other home treatments for genital herpes.
Treatment during pregnancy
In pregnancy, treatment should be indicated by the obstetrician, but usually it is also done with Acyclovir tablets, when:
- The pregnant woman has symptoms of recurrent herpes during pregnancy: treatment starts from 36 weeks of gestation until delivery; The pregnant woman is infected for the first time during pregnancy: treatment should be done during the rest of the pregnancy and it is generally recommended to have a cesarean section to avoid transmitting the virus to the baby.
In the case of a pregnant woman with recurrent herpes, normal delivery can be performed if the woman does not have vaginal wounds, as the risk of transmission of the infection is low.
When treatment is not done 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 of genital herpes
Signs of improvement in genital herpes may appear from the 5th day of treatment and include decreased pain and wound healing in the patient's intimate region.
Signs of worsening of genital herpes
When the treatment is not done properly, signs of worsening of genital herpes may appear, which are characterized by swelling and redness of the region, as well as filling the wounds with pus.
In addition, genital herpes can be transported to other parts of the body when the person does not wash their hands after touching the intimate area.
Complications of genital herpes
The main complication of genital herpes is infection of the wounds when care during 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.
In addition, when the person has intimate contact without a condom and without the wounds healing, there is a greater chance of getting HIV and other sexual diseases, if the partner is infected.
