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Is Suppressive Therapy the Key to Managing Genital Herpes?
Published: Mar 09, 2024
Suppressive therapy could be a breakthrough in managing genital herpes. Discover how daily medication can change lives.
Understanding Suppressive Therapy
Suppressive therapy involves taking antiviral medication daily to prevent outbreaks. Valacyclovir and acyclovir are commonly used and help reduce the frequency of symptoms and viral shedding. These medications are safe and have minimal side effects.
Benefits for Discordant Couples
For couples where only one partner has herpes, suppressive therapy can significantly lower transmission risk. Daily use of valacyclovir has been shown to cut down the likelihood of passing the virus to an uninfected partner by about 50%. It also reduces the number of days with viral shedding.
Considerations in Immunocompromised Patients
In immunocompromised individuals, suppressive therapy is crucial to control clinical disease. It may be less effective in certain cases, like those not on ART for HIV, but it still plays a vital role in managing symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's daily medication to reduce herpes outbreaks and transmission risk.
It reduces transmission risk by about 50% and decreases symptoms.
Yes, suppressive therapy is generally safe with minimal side effects.
Wrapping Up
Suppressive therapy offers a promising way to manage and reduce the spread of genital herpes.
References
- Corey L, Wald A, Patel R, et al. Once-daily valacyclovir to reduce the risk of transmission of genital herpes. N Engl J Med 2004; 350:11.
- Gupta R, Wald A, Krantz E, et al. Valacyclovir and acyclovir for suppression of shedding of herpes simplex virus in the genital tract. J Infect Dis 2004; 190:1374.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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