Some people live with herpes and don’t even have an idea that they are infected with the virus. These people don't experience any unpleasant symptoms such as redness, itching or open sores on the face or genitals. They don’t have to fight with the disease, to be afraid of the next attack and to rack their brains over the question what medicine to use.

But there are also a lot of us who do know what herpes is. And these people have to go through all the negative sides and difficulties that appear after the affirmation of diagnosis. They have to realize that their lives have been changed and they have many small and big problems to solve.

Fortunately medicine is not inactive. Though there is no remedy at present moment that can destroy the virus and heal us altogether, there are a lot of viral drugs and non-prescription means that help to cope with the unpleasant disease, reduce the number and duration of outbreaks, make them less severe and painful thus lightening our lives with herpes.

The most widely spread and effective drugs for treating herpes are Famvir, Zovirax and Valtrex. All of them are prescription medications that can be used both for episodic and suppressive treatment and are claimed to relieve symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak and to reduce its duration. Either of three is not recommended for people with kidney disease and pregnant women.

The scientists conduct constant research on how to use drugs in the most efficient way and which of them is the most effective and has the least side effects. Thus, according to a study that recently was held in Canada Famvir (famciclovir) is very effective in the treatment of HIV-Infected patients and can also suppress asymptomatic viral shedding in persons who have recurrent outbreaks.

The influence and effectiveness of oral medications varies from person to person. So is the case with their side effects. The most common of them are fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and weakness. Some people will not experience any discomfort at all while taking medication, even on a long term basis. Other on the contrary will have all possible side effects, because every organism reacts on medicine in its own way.

These people can try so called over-the-counter medicine. There are many positive testimonials from herpes patients claiming that these non-prescription means can reduce pain, shorten an outbreak, prevent a flare-up or diminish its impact. The most famous are H-Balm, Choraphor and Herpasil.

H-Balm consists of melissa and some other essential oils that were selected and combined to treat herpes lesions. All essential oils are certified to be natural and organic. Choraphor is relatively new herbal ointment. Its active ingredients are sulfur and the herb St John’s wort. The application of an ointment results in rapid healing and less severe outbreaks. Both remedies have a very strong "fragrance". But when they really help the smell is worth to endure.

People with herpes labialis can use topical treatments approved by US Food and Drug Administration. They are acyclovir cream (Zovirax), penciclovir cream (Denavir) and n-docosanol cream (Abreva). Some patients find them very soothing and pain relieving, though research shows that creams have a small impact on outbreak length and severity. Moreover doctors say that for example Zovirax pills are much more effective than corresponding topical cream.

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Topical creams should be mainly used for herpes labials on lips and face. They are not recommended for treatment of genital herpes since these areas should remain as clean and dry as possible.

There is no evidence that a particular medication will help everyone. Their results are different and vary from person to person. Everyone should seek remedy that suit his or her individual needs in the best way. We have a wide choice of effective and approved medications to choose from.

And there is always hope that one day our scientists will find out medicine that will be able to conquer the disease once and forever.

Lyudmyla

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