Embarrassing Illnesses

The way that you receive treatment for genital herpes will depend on whether you have the infection for the first time, or whether you are experiencing a recurrent infection.

Treating a primary infection of genital herpes

In most instances, a first case of genital herpes (primary infection) will develop some time after you have been exposed to the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This may be months, or even years, after exposure. However, sometimes you may develop genital herpes 4-7 days after being exposed to HSV.

Treatment from a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) specialist

If you have genital herpes for the first time, you will normally receive treatment from a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) specialist, at a GUM clinic.

A GUM specialist will be able to provide specialist screening for genital herpes, and other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), plus treatment, counselling, and follow up care.

Treatment from your GP

If you have a primary genital herpes infection, and it is not possible for you to see a GUM specialist, your GP may treat you for the condition. They may prescribe anti-viral tablets, called acyclovir, which you will need to take five times a day.

Aciclovir works by preventing HSV from multiplying. However, it does not clear the virus from your body completely, and does not have any effect once you stop taking it.

You will need to take a course of aciclovir for at least five days, or longer, if you still have new blisters and ulcers forming on your genital area when your treatment begins.

There are also several things that you may be able to do to help ease your symptoms of genital herpes. See the 'self help' section for more information about this.

Treating recurrent infections of genital herpes

If you have been diagnosed with genital herpes before, and you are experiencing a recurrent infection, you will probably receive advice and treatment from your GP. In most cases, you will not need to return to your local genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

If the symptoms of your recurrent infection are mild, your GP may suggest some things you can do to ease your symptoms, without the need for treatment. However, if your symptoms are more severe, you may be prescribed anti-viral tablets (acyclovir) which you will need to take five times a day, for five days.

Episodic treatment

If you have less than six recurrent infections of genital herpes in a year, your GP may prescribe a five day course of aciclovir each time that you experience symptoms. This is known as episodic treatment.

Suppressive treatment

If you have more than six recurrent infections of genital herpes in a year, or if your symptoms are particularly severe, and causing you distress, you may need to take aciclovir every day as part of a long-term treatment plan.

This is known as suppressive treatment, and it aims to prevent further recurrent infections from developing. In this instance, it is likely that you will need to take aciclovir twice a day, for 6-12 months.

It is important to note that while suppressive treatment can reduce the risk of passing HSV on to your partner, it cannot prevent it altogether. Your GP may refer you for specialist advice if you are concerned about transmitting the virus to your partner while you are taking suppressive treatment.

Once you have been taking aciclovir for 12 months, your GP will usually stop your suppressive treatment. You may continue to experience further recurrent infections of genital herpes after treatment is stopped.

As long as recurrent genital herpes infections are infrequent, and mild, you will only need to take a five day course of aciclovir as and when it is needed. You may also find that there are things that you can do to improve your symptoms without the need for aciclovir.

If you have further genital herpes infections after stopping suppressive treatment, or if you have severe recurrent infections, your suppressive treatment may be restarted. Your GP may refer you for specialist treatment if you continue to have recurrent infections of genital herpes while you are taking suppressive treatment.