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Genital Herpes Treatment Available

What is genital herpes?

Genital Herpes is a viral infection that is passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse. This can be either vaginal intercourse or anal intercourse. Sometimes genital herpes is passed on during oral sex. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The incubation period for genial herpes is normally seven days but it can be longer.

The first symptom of genital herpes is usually a dark patch on the genitals or on the anus. A short time after these dark patches appear, they are replaced by blisters that are filled with a light-yellow fluid. These blisters may be accompanied by a burning or tingling sensation.

When blisters are present, men and women may find urination painful. Sometimes this is accompanied by a fever. Women will sometimes experience a discharge from the vagina.

The blisters will eventually burst and become small ulcers, which, after two to three weeks, will heal without any scarring.

This, unfortunately, does not mean that the body is clear of the herpes virus. It means that the virus has withdrawn into the nerves that supply the area that has been affected.

There may well be a new attack of herpes within a few months but these attacks do tend to become milder over the course of time.

What should you do if you think that you have genital herpes?

If you think that you have genital herpes then it is best to go to a GUM clinic rather than your GP as they will have more experience in dealing with this condition.

Usually the doctor will be able to diagnose genital herpes by looking at the appearance of the blisters. Analysing the watery yellow fluid in the blisters will allow the doctor to confirm this diagnosis.

What is the treatment for genital herpes?

The only effective treatment for genital herpes is anti-viral drugs. The most likely treatment is the oral antiviral aciclovir (Zovirax). Aciclovir will normally be prescribed at a dose of 200mg, five times a day for at least five days.

Possible Outcomes

After the initial attack of herpes, some people will have regular attacks and some will have only a few more or none at all

The outbreaks of herpes tend to decline in frequency, as a person gets older.