Genital Herpes Treatment
Order Your Genital Herpes Treatment Online
Our Australian registered doctors can issue a script for your prescribed genital herpes medication. Fill in an online assessment and have a brief consultation with our doctor who will evaluate your suitability for our service.
If approved, the doctor will pass a prescription to our Australian pharmacy team, who will dispense and send the prescription herpes treatment to your delivery address. If repeat supplies are appropriate for you, they will be prescribed and saved on your account.
Overview
What is Genital Herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Once contracted, the condition remains with you for life although, you may not always display symptoms or be infectious.
Herpes will go through phases of dormancy and outbreak. When dormant you will get no symptoms and have little risk of spreading the virus. When the infection is active you will likely display symptoms and become infectious to others.
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is commonly responsible for cold sores, although it may cause genital herpes if a blister is exposed to the genitals during oral sex.
Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is the primary virus responsible for genital herpes.
Genital herpes is very common, affecting up to 1 in 8 sexually active Australians.
Genital Herpes Causes
Genital Herpes is caused by skin to skin contact with HSV-1 or HSV-2. This usually occurs during sexual activity as HSV-1 and/ or HSV-2 are released from blisters on the mouth, anal or genital area.
HSV-1 and HSV-2 may be passed from mouth to genitals or vice versa during oral sex.
Contact with affected areas or bodily fluids is responsible for passing on herpes.
Genital Herpes Symptoms
Men
The symptoms of genital herpes in men are small blisters on the penis or genital area. These often rupture causing fluid to ooze from the area and pain upon urination. Other symptoms can include itching, pain, enlargement of lymph nodes around the groin and fever.
Women
The signs or symptoms of genital herpes in women are blistering or sores on or inside of the vagina. Because the blisters can be internal they are not always as obvious as in males. Other symptoms that could indicate an outbreak are itching/ burning in the vagina, swollen genital glands, painful urination, a change in vaginal discharge, fever and discomfort below the stomach.
Genital Herpes Diagnosis
There are two major ways of diagnosing herpes. The first involved swabbing an active blister and testing for the presence of HSV-1 or 2.
The second test is a blood test looking for the presence of either virus. This test can detect HSV1 or 2 even if no blisters/ symptoms are present.
Genital Herpes Treatment
While there is no cure for herpes, antiviral medicines are effective at treating and suppressing outbreaks. Genital herpes treatments focus on two main areas, reducing the duration and severity of the outbreak and reducing the risk of passing the virus onto sexual partners.
Sores heal over time but it may take weeks for them to completely healed and become non-infectious.
Antiviral Genital Herpes Treatment
Antiviral medicines cannot cure herpes however if taken at the beginning of an episode, they can reduce the duration and severity of the episode. They do this by decreasing the amount of virus in the body.
Treatment therapy involves taking antiviral medicines for 3-5 days after symptoms appear to reduce the duration and severity of the episode.
If episodes reoccur regularly your doctor may prescribe long term suppressive therapy. This therapy involves taking antiviral medicines regularly long term to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes, rather than treating them.
Antiviral medicines may not be suitable for those with liver or kidney issues, or those prone to dehydration. Side effects of these treatments can include gastrointestinal discomfort, dry mouth, fever, sleep disturbance, rash and headaches.
Secondary Medicines for Genital Herpes Treatment
These treatments mainly focus on helping with symptoms of herpes such as pain and genital discomfort.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen may be used if appropriate for reducing the pain and inflammation associated with the blisters. If severe local anaesthetic cream, ointment or gel may be used on the external blisters to reduce pain under the direction of a doctor.
Lifestyle Treatments
These techniques focus on speeding up the healing of herpes sores. These techniques include:
- Soaking the affected areas in a saltwater bath
- Keeping the area clean and dry
- Not touching the sores or scabs
How to Prevent Spreading Genital Herpes
If you are aware you have genital herpes you should advise any sexual partners to take precautions such as using barrier protection (condoms). This will prevent the spread of herpes in most cases. If you are experiencing an outbreak you should try and avoid sexual contact during this time.
Outbreaks can be caused by poor general health, as the immune system can experience drops in effectiveness. Attempt to manage the number of outbreaks by having a healthy diet, good sleeping patterns and minimising stress where possible.
