Genital Herpes Treatment

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two strains: HSV-1 (typically causes cold sores on the lips, but can also cause genital herpes) and HSV-2 (the primary cause of genital herpes).

Once infected, the virus stays dormant in the body's nerve ganglia for life. This means it can reactivate periodically, particularly when the immune system is weakened. The good news is that antiviral medication controls symptoms very effectively, and many people find outbreaks become less frequent over time.

Symptoms vary widely from person to person. Some people have very obvious outbreaks; others barely notice anything.

🔴 First outbreak (usually the most severe) — Small fluid-filled blisters on the genitals, buttocks, or inner thighs / blisters burst and become shallow, painful sores / itching, burning, or tenderness in the affected area / painful urination if sores are near the urethra / possible fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin / symptoms typically last 2-4 weeks without treatment

🟡 Recurrent outbreaks (usually milder) — Fewer and smaller sores / heal faster, typically within 5-10 days / often preceded by warning signs like tingling, itching, or shooting sensations in the area

😶 No symptoms at all — Many infected people never show symptoms, or have symptoms so mild they go unnoticed. However, they can still transmit the virus to others.

Genital herpes spreads through direct skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact with someone who carries the virus.

💑 Routes of transmission — Vaginal, anal, or oral sex / direct contact with herpes sores or blisters / mother to baby during natural delivery (if the mother has active sores at the time)

⚠️ Important to know — The virus can spread even when no visible sores are present (this is called Asymptomatic Shedding) / condoms significantly reduce risk but don't provide 100% protection, as sores may be in areas not covered by the condom / herpes is NOT transmitted through toilet seats, towels, or swimming pools

Acyclovir is an antiviral medication with over 40 years of clinical use and an excellent safety record. It works by inhibiting HSV replication, preventing the virus from multiplying. This results in faster healing, reduced pain, and a shorter period of infectiousness.

At Intimo Life, we offer Vilerm — an oral Acyclovir tablet that treats active outbreaks and can be used for long-term suppression.

Important: Acyclovir does not eliminate the virus from the body. It controls viral activity so symptoms improve significantly.

Dosing depends on whether you're treating a first outbreak, a recurrence, or using it for prevention.

First outbreak — Acyclovir 200 mg five times daily (every 4 hours, skipping the overnight dose) for 7-10 days

Recurrent outbreak — Acyclovir 200 mg five times daily for 5 days. Starting at the first sign of symptoms gives the best results.

Suppressive therapy (prevention) — Acyclovir 400 mg twice daily, taken continuously every day. Recommended for people who experience more than 6 outbreaks per year.

Dosing may be adjusted by your pharmacist based on your individual needs.

Acyclovir has a very strong safety profile. Side effects are typically mild.

Common side effects — Nausea, headache, diarrhoea. These usually resolve on their own as the body adjusts.

Precautions — Drink plenty of water while taking the medication to protect kidney function, especially at higher doses / inform your pharmacist if you have kidney disease or are pregnant

Outbreak frequency varies enormously between individuals. Common triggers include:

😰 Common triggers — Physical or emotional stress / lack of sleep / illness or weakened immunity / menstruation / intense sun exposure / friction in the genital area

How to reduce outbreaks — Get enough sleep / manage stress effectively / exercise regularly / eat a balanced, nutritious diet to support your immune system / if outbreaks occur more than 6 times per year, ask your pharmacist about continuous suppressive therapy with Acyclovir

Yes, but precautions are important to reduce the risk of transmission.

During an active outbreak — Avoid sexual contact until all sores have fully healed. This is when transmission risk is highest.

Between outbreaks — Use condoms every time, which reduces transmission risk by approximately 50% / taking Acyclovir as daily suppressive therapy reduces transmission risk by a further 50% or so / be open with your partner about your status so you can make informed decisions together

If you have genital herpes and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, here's what to know.

🤰 The risk — The main concern is transmitting the virus to the baby during natural delivery, especially if the mother has her first infection during the final trimester.

💊 Management — Doctors may prescribe Acyclovir during the later stages of pregnancy to prevent an outbreak at delivery / if active sores are present at the time of labour, a caesarean section may be recommended

Always inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

It's important to understand that genital herpes is incredibly common — nearly 500 million people worldwide carry the virus. Many don't even know they're infected because they've never had symptoms.

A herpes diagnosis doesn't change who you are or define your life. With antiviral medication and proper self-care, people with herpes live completely normal lives — including having fulfilling relationships, safe sex lives, and healthy children.