Genital Herpes Treatment Singapore | HIV PEP
Genital Herpes Treatment in Singapore: Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus. Painful sores appear on the genitals. Sexual contact is the main route of viral spread.
Treatment of genital herpes
As of now, there is no cure for genital herpes. The infection can persist for the entire lifetime, and you can infect others. Treatment with certain antiviral medications can reduce the severity and frequency of the symptoms. Antiviral drugs reduce the frequency of recurrence, minimize the risk of transmission, and speed the healing of sores.
Your doctor may prescribe any of several antiviral medications for genital herpes treatment. Some of the commonly prescribed antiviral drugs are
- Valacyclovir
- Acyclovir
- Famciclovir
These may be given during the first episode of genital herpes, and then you may be given a prescription to use in case of recurrence. If you experience symptoms, such as itching, tingling, a burning sensation, or the appearance of blisters, you should take the medicine right away, to reduce the severity of the episode. Genital herpes patients who have frequent episodes should take daily doses of prescribed medications to reduce the frequency of episodes and minimize the risk of transmission of the virus. You may experience mild to moderate side effects; switching which medication you’re on may sometimes help to reduce the side effects.
Antiviral drug treatment should be started immediately after symptom recurrence and continued for five days. For prevention of outbreaks, the medication must be taken daily, whether or not you’re having any symptoms. This is called suppressive therapy. Research studies have shown that suppressive therapy decreases the frequency of recurrence; it’s used in those who experience frequent outbreaks.
Women with genital herpes in Singapore are frequently advised to deliver the baby via cesarean section, to prevent infection of the newborn during birth. Antiviral therapy is recommended for all pregnant women with recurrent genital herpes, particularly at or beyond 36 weeks of gestation, until delivery. This may allow for a vaginal delivery. Infants exposed to HSV during birth may experience severe consequences, including brain damage and death.
If left untreated, genital herpes may cause several complications that include:
- Meningitis – inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord
- Other STDs – Genital sores increase the risk of other infections, particularly HIV infection, because they provide a route for pathogens to enter the body.
- Proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) is a common complication of the genital herpes, particularly in men who have sex with other men.
- Bladder swelling – Genital herpes can cause inflammation around the bladder and urethra. The inflammation can cause swelling that persists for several days. This may lead to difficulty voiding urine, and can require urinary catheterization to drain the urine.
- Neonatal complications – Genital herpes can lead to blindness, brain damage and even death in babies who are exposed to the virus.