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Treatment of Genital Herpes

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition InDepth

Treatment of Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a lifelong health problem. It does not have a cure. There are medicines that you can take. They treat the symptoms and make you have fewer, shorter outbreaks. Early treatment of the first infection and future outbreaks helps lower the chance of spreading it to others.

Treatment involves:

References

  • 2015 Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/default.htm. Updated January 25, 2017. Accessed August 10, 2018.
  • Genital herpes. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114875/Genital-herpes . Updated February 19, 2018. Accessed August 10, 2018.
  • Genital herpes. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/herpesviruses/genital-herpes. Updated February 2018. Accessed August 10, 2018.
  • Genital herpes—CDC fact sheet (detailed). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes-detailed.htm. Updated February 9, 2017. Accessed August 10, 2018.
  • Groves MJ. Genital herpes: a review. Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(11):928-934.

Contributors

  • Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated:
2018-05-01

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.