Genital herpes Cold sore or Oral-labial Herpes What causes genital herpes? How is herpes transmitted? What are the symptoms of genital herpes? What is the difference between the first outbreak and recurrences? How is genital herpes diagnosed? Is a herpes culture test painful? My results are négative... How else can herpes be confirmed? How is herpes treated? Herpes and pregnancy Your partner is pregnant, and you have herpes… What are the best ways to avoid spreading genital herpes? How do I tell my sexual partner I have herpes? Who is at risk of genital herpes? How to avoid contracting genital herpes? What’s new? Links and References

One of the difficult parts of our job as a physician is informing you that there is no cure for herpes virus infections. While research continues in the field of vaccine development (vaccines to prevent infection and perhaps to assist your body in better virus control) we are still several years from a commercially available product. Antiviral medications have come a long way over the years and newer medications are easier to dose and are generally very well tolerated. Medications such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famcyclovir (Famvir), valacyclovir (Valtrex), have a significant effect via their ability to decrease the severity of your herpes symptoms and the duration of your outbreak. Antivirals (different from antibiotics) have had a tremendously positive effect on patient's "quality of life". When used to treat outbreaks, the medications are taken by mouth for a period of 3 - 5 days - dosages may vary. These same medications can also be used to prevent recurrences of genital herpes. The suppressive approach to genital herpes involves the daily administration of one of the three antivirals, thereby effectively suppressing the virus' ability to reproduce and consequently establish an outbreak...this is a great thing for patients who suffer from multiple or severe episodes. Typically your physician will discuss suppressive approaches when you suffer from more than 6 episodes per year. Talk with one of our physician consultants about your personal herpes experience.

New!! Dosage and administration of Valtrex©

Initial episode of genital herpes

The recommended dosage of Valtrex© Caplets for the treatment of an initial episode of genital herpes is 1000 mg orally twice daily for 10 days. There are no data on the effectiveness of treatment with Valtrex? When initiated more than 72 hours after the onset of signs and symptoms. Therapy was most effective when administered within 48 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms.

Recurrent genital herpes

The recommended dosage of Valtrex© Caplets for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes is 500 mg orally twice dailys for 3 days. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest sign or symptom of recurrence. Valtrex© Can prevent lesion development when taken at the first signs and symptoms of a genital herpes recurrence.

Suppression of genital herpes

The recommended dosage of Valtrex© Caplets for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent gential herpes is 1000 mg orally once daily in patients with normal immune function. In patients with a history of 9 or fewer recurrences per year, an alternative dose is 500 mg orally once daily.

In patients with HIV infection with CD4 counts 100, the recommended dosage of Valtrex© Caplets for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes is 500 mg orally twice daily.

Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes