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Dr. Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California, San Diego, and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
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What is the treatment for herpes? Can herpes go into remission?
"I have always thought that the bumps I got on my lips were pimples since I get black heads above my upper lip. Recently though, I've had a red bump forming on my lip that doesn't feel "pimple-like" and am now terrified. My mom says I probably kissed a guy who has herpes and now I have it for life. I haven't been tested by a doctor yet but I feel like she is right since I had heard a rumor that one of my ex's found out he has oral herpes. I'm 18 years old and feel horrible about myself and wonder if I should even continue dating. I know a large number of the population has it (my aunt has it from giving mouth to mouth to a woman who had been drowning) but I still feel dirty and don't know what to do. Is it possible for the virus to go into remission or a treatment to help?"
Yes, there are options for suppressive therapy to prevent recurrences of oral or genital lesions from Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV type I and II). First you need to have a diagnosis. See your doctor when you have an active sore and have him or her culture it to see if this is Herpes. The gold standard for diagnosis is a culture of a new, active sore.
If Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is the cause of your recurrent lip sores you do have an option of treatment with an antiviral for prevention of outbreaks.
Chronic suppression with a daily antiviral medication has proven helpful in preventing HSV lesions in individuals with frequently recurrent lesions. Controlled trials show a decrease in occurrence of new lesions from 50 to 78 percent in people on a regimen of oral acyclovir (600 to 1000 mg daily). A daily suppressive regimen (200 mg three to five times daily) has been shown to be safe and effective when used continuously for up to one year.
What I usually prescribe is Valtrex (Valacyclovir) which is now generic and works well to suppress recurrences of mouth sores from herpes. Valacyclovir 500 mg a day is easier to take then Acyclovir which requires three times a day dosing. You can discuss with your Doctor taking chronic suppression of Valacyclovir 500 mg a day if your recurrences are very frequent, more than two every four months of if recurrences interrupt job performance or present increased risk of infection for others e.g. medical and dental personnel.
Most importantly, herpes in the mouth and genital region is very very common yet not trivial as you have experienced. Yes, you will deal with this your whole life but there is no reason for shame and please reach out to others on this site in the same boat.
Dr O.
Related Discussions on DailyStrength:
Yes, there are options for suppressive therapy to prevent recurrences of oral or genital lesions from Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV type I and II). First you need to have a diagnosis. See your doctor when you have an active sore and have him or her culture it to see if this is Herpes. The gold standard for diagnosis is a culture of a new, active sore.
If Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is the cause of your recurrent lip sores you do have an option of treatment with an antiviral for prevention of outbreaks.
Chronic suppression with a daily antiviral medication has proven helpful in preventing HSV lesions in individuals with frequently recurrent lesions. Controlled trials show a decrease in occurrence of new lesions from 50 to 78 percent in people on a regimen of oral acyclovir (600 to 1000 mg daily). A daily suppressive regimen (200 mg three to five times daily) has been shown to be safe and effective when used continuously for up to one year.
What I usually prescribe is Valtrex (Valacyclovir) which is now generic and works well to suppress recurrences of mouth sores from herpes. Valacyclovir 500 mg a day is easier to take then Acyclovir which requires three times a day dosing. You can discuss with your Doctor taking chronic suppression of Valacyclovir 500 mg a day if your recurrences are very frequent, more than two every four months of if recurrences interrupt job performance or present increased risk of infection for others e.g. medical and dental personnel.
Most importantly, herpes in the mouth and genital region is very very common yet not trivial as you have experienced. Yes, you will deal with this your whole life but there is no reason for shame and please reach out to others on this site in the same boat.
Dr O.
Related Discussions on DailyStrength:
Uncertain about if I have herpes or not, but my symptoms are on my tung. I get a fungus like spot on my tung that last for about 2 weeks then it disappear and comes up again immediately. I been looking all over the internet for similar symptoms with no success. Went to my doctor and she believes it is herpes, so she put me on Valtrex. Posted on 09/15/09, 08:34 am- Does anyone know how to treat the symptoms of genital herpes. I am lucky in that I hardly ever have outbreaks, but I'm having a pretty bad one at the moment and am in quite a bit of discomfort. I also have pain in the groin area. Anyone got any tips to make me feel better? Posted on 05/11/10, 02:04 pm
- How could I have gone 30 years and not had a herpes outbreak only to have my first attack at 46? How long does herpes last? What is the most aggressive treatment? I have it on my mouth. Posted on 10/19/07, 11:41 pm
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Buy the over the counter, Abbreva cream, apply as soon as you feel a bump, or itchiness. Don't use the same lipstick or tooth brush and don't let it spread! Don't feel embarassed, and if you have the coldsore, avoid the sun,touching it,and don't kiss a soul, or have sex it you have it.Research states, that you can pass it anytime without an outbreak, so be extremely considerate when you have an outbreak, cuz the likelihood of spreading it to your partner increases dramatically!
The meds help in alleviating or decreasing outbreaks, but the virus, gets embedded in your spinal fluid, and can come out any time. The problem with meds is there are side effects, which can affect your liver,and kidney which filters your blood and cleans it.
Herpes can later affect your life,by turning into shingles,which is the cousin of the chicken pox. Shingles (reddish inflammation)often affects the groin area, making it sore. Some have milder versions of shingles, and others, quite painful.