Pain Medications
The pain can vary in intensity and most individuals require pain control. Over the counter pain medications are effective for most individuals but some may require much stronger prescription pain pills. One should never apply any cortisone to the infected area. Cortisone encourages virus growth and makes the condition worse. Application of topical local anesthetics may help but unfortunately, the pain relief is not long or strong enough.
Antiviral Therapy
The best and most effective treatment of genital herpes is antiviral medication. The anti viral drugs stop the virus from multiplying. The drugs can shorten the duration of a herpes outbreak and reduce the number of repeat infections. Unfortunately, the drugs only work if taken continuously. This may not be practical and cost effective. Not only that, these drugs are most effective when taken within 24 hours after the outbreak of the infection. If this time period is delayed, the course of the herpes virus infection is not altered significantly.
For those who have an acute infection, the antiviral medication can reduce the number of days the infection is present. This is very helpful to those who have been plagued with painful blisters. There is a topical antiviral drug available. For those who have recurrent infections, the anti viral drugs have to be taken everyday. This is expensive and not practical.
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