Even with today’s medical discoveries, there is still no known cure for the herpes virus. Fortunately antiviral medications can help reduce the frequency, severity and duration of the outbreaks. These antiviral drugs can help reduce shedding. These viral shedding occurs often if infected people do not undergo antiviral herpes treatment. Over the counter analgesics can help alleviate pain and fever during these outbreaks. There are also topical treatments like lidocaine and prilocaine that can relieve any pain or itching.

Antiviral medicines can be used to interfere with the replication of the virus. It helps slow down replication of the virus effectively and to provide the immune system to respond to the virus. These antiviral drugs are converted into triphosphate which interferes with the herpes simplex virus replication. There are various antiviral medicines like valaciclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir can help control outbreaks. Aciclovir is taken during pregnancy by infected mothers to prevent the transmission of the virus from the infected mother to the newborn baby. These antiviral medicines are available in topical form also. These help treat outbreaks that are found on the lips. Topical medications are applied directly on the affected areas of the skin. The ointment prevents the virus from fusing into the cells. Tromantadine is a gel that prevents the virus from entering and spreading in the cells.

There are other drugs that can help recurrence of the viral infection. Aspirin helps reduce prostaglandins; this will help lessen the inflammation in the affected areas. Aspirin will also help reduce the fever experienced during outbreaks. There is now a vaccine that is being researched, to help fight against type 2 herpes simplex virus. The vaccine has only shown effectiveness in women who have not been exposed to herpes simplex virus type 1. There are also alternative treatments like dietary supplements and other alternative remedies that are beneficial in treating herpes. These can be taken alone or together with antiviral medication that is prescribed by your doctor.