The mere thought of contracting herpes is scary. However, here is a useful guide highlighting the symptoms, causes, and over the counter medication for herpes.

What Is Herpes?

Herpes is the common name of the herpes simplex virus. The two common viral strains of herpes are HSV-1 and HSV-2. Some people have repeated episodes of cold sores on their mouths; these are caused due to the HSV-1 virus strain. Genital herpes, on the other hand, is caused by HSV-2. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is very common among sexually active people.

The tricky thing about herpes infection is that you may not know you have it until a few days or weeks after being exposed to it. If unchecked, you could transmit it to another sexual partner unknowingly. This reiterates the need to always have protected sex with condoms and dental dams, and to get regularly tested for STDs.

What Are the Causes of Herpes?

The virus enters the body through mucous membranes, which are thin layers of tissue that line the openings of your body found in your nose, mouth, and genitals.

Once the virus particles enter the body, they enter the nerve cells of the pelvis and multiply there.

HSV-1 or HSV-2 can be found in people’s bodily fluids, including

• saliva

• semen

• vaginal secretions

What Are the Symptoms of Herpes?

Blistery Sores.

These open sores are one of the most obvious signs of herpes. They look like a blister and are quite painful when they open up. The sore starts out as a white-like blister, then turns red, and then scabs over.

Vaginal Discharge.

Vaginal discharge can be a sign of a multitude of other diseases; however, when they are accompanied by sores, it is probably due to herpes.

Other related symptoms include an itching around your lady parts, and a burning sensation while peeing.

Flu-like Symptoms.

One may experience generalized body ache, have a fever, headache, and chills.

Swollen lymph glands.

Our lymph nodes assist the body in fighting inflammation and infection. When they are actively fighting off the herpes virus, the lymph glands try to trap as many of the virus particles as they can, filling with fluid as a result. One can feel one’s lymph nodes along the underside of one’s jaw, armpits, or around your groin and notice that they feel hard and swollen.

Tingling and burning sensation.

People infected with herpes notice a weird tingling feeling around their genitals and along their legs. This sensation is attributed to the virus inhabiting the nerves, sending a pins-and-needles kind of feeling. It has been studied that taking over the counter medication for herpes or antivirals early can prevent the outbreak from progressing.

Medication for Herpes

If you consult with a physician immediately after the first outbreak, the doctor is likely to prescribe a herpes treatment of antiviral drugs, like Valacyclovir (Valtrex) or Acyclovir, for 7 to 10 days. Over the counter mediation for herpes or antiviral medication are extremely effective at reducing the severity of the symptoms, curbing, and preventing future outbreaks.

The two main antiviral medications—acyclovir and valacyclovir—are FDA-approved antiviral drugs that have been used as trusted herpes treatments for over two decades. The over the counter medications for herpes are available as pills and creams. While they are highly effective in their oral pill form, some studies have pointed out that pairing the pills with the same drugs in a topical cream increases the effectiveness of treatment.

Half-baked knowledge and fear often give rise to more problems than the real problem. Educate yourself and treat the herpes infection with the help of a trusted physician and over the counter medications for herpes.