Herpes is a problematic disease that can be easily transmitted through sexual contact. Currently there is no permanent cure for this condition but with the help of herpes medication patients can manage the symptoms associated with it. Herpes medicines also help individuals to minimize the problems associated with this condition and to limit further recurrences of this virus.

Herpes is caused by two kinds of herpes viruses which include the herpes simplex type 1 and type 2 viruses. The type 1 virus causes cold sores in the mouth region while the type 2 virus is largely responsible for causing genital herpes. Antiviral treatment is prescribed for individuals suffering from herpes. Herpes medication should ideally be started within five days from the day the symptoms start.

Herpes medication allows people to control the symptoms much better and it can also make it easier for patients to live with this condition. As a part of the initial treatment the doctor usually prescribes a course of medicines for seven to ten days. If the sores do not heal in time then the doctor may prescribe the drugs for a longer period of time.

As a part of the herpes treatment the doctor may give antiviral drugs that the patient can take in case there is a flare up in the condition. Such a treatment is called intermittent therapy. The medicines are taken when the possibility of an outbreak is recognized. In those individuals who experience frequent outbreaks the antiviral herpes medication may be taken regularly and this is called suppressive therapy. Those individuals who have around six outbreaks or more every year can take suppressive therapy and this can help to reduce the outbreaks by almost 70 to 80%.

Herpes medication that is prescribed to control this condition includes Acyclovir or Zovirax, Famciclovir or Famvir and Valacyclovir or Valtrex. These medicines help in shortening the outbreaks and reducing the severity of the symptoms. These antiviral medicines basically interfere with the DNA synthesis and thereby prevent the reproduction of the virus.

Valtrex and Zovirax can be prescribed to treat any initial episodes of genital herpes. These medicines help in reducing the pain and healing of the lesions. Valtrex helps in faster healing of the blisters. Valtrex can also help in preventing further outbreaks and also prevent the virus from spreading to the partners. Famvir is also helpful in treating genital herpes. Patients taking Famvir at the appearance of first symptoms noted that the lesions healed faster.

Herpes medication can cause some side effects but these drugs can be safely used over a long period of time. Among the three drugs Acyclovir is completely safe and its used has been completely documented among people following suppressive therapy.