While there is no cure for herpes type 2 (also known as herpes simplex 2 or HSV 2), there are prescription treatments available that can dramatically improve the quality of life for someone who suffers from genital outbreaks caused by HSV 2. How patients choose to use these treatments depends on how many herpes outbreaks they experience yearly, as well the nature of their sexual activity.
Medical Treatment for Herpes
The only proven method to reduce the frequency and duration of genital herpes outbreaks is through use of oral antiviral drugs prescribed by a physician. Currently, three antivirals have undergone rigorous testing and clinical trials conducted by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and bear the FDA stamp of approval: acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir. You may know these drugs by their trade names of Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex. These drugs work systemically by interrupting the virus's DNA synthesis, thus reducing the chance that it will reproduce.
Benefits of Antiviral Treatment
Oral antiviral therapy has numerous benefits. Those who suffer an initial outbreak may find that their lesions heal sooner. Antivirals the number of subsequent outbreaks, as well as lessen the duration and severity of symptoms. Prescription drugs also reduce the chances that the herpes virus will be transmitted to another person through sexual contact.
Episodic Therapy
Some patients may opt for episodic drug therapy and take antiviral medications only when they feel a herpes outbreak coming on. This type of therapy is more appropriate for those who are not sexually active and have infrequent outbreaks, or when a patient is monogamous and his sexual partner is also infected with HSV 2.
Suppressive Therapy
When antivirals are taken on a daily basis, this is known as suppressive therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, suppressive therapy reduces the frequency of subsequent herpes outbreaks in patients who experience six or more outbreaks a year by up to 70 to 80 percent. Suppressive therapy is recommended for those who have frequent outbreaks, or patients with HSV 1 or 2 who are sexually active and choose uninfected partners. Also, suppressive therapy is recommended if one sexual partner has oral HSV 1 and the other has genital HSV 2.
What About Other Treatments?
Currently, no nonprescription medications can effectively treat genital herpes. Anecdotal reports favor home remedies such as L-lysine, but according to the Mayo Clinic, clinical studies do not support findings that L-lysine prevents or reduces herpes outbreaks. Only prescription antivirals can help protect uninfected sexual partners.
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