Approximately 20% of adults and teenagers in the US are infected with genital herpes, called herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Unfortunately there is currently no cure for genital herpes, but there are some things that can help reduce the number of herpes outbreaks and also outbreak time.

Physicians and researchers are working on a cure for genital herpes, and some in the field of holistic medicine claim they already have a cure for genital herpes. One can see a number of products available online that claim to cure HSV-2. The trouble with these products is that the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated their claims.

Any evidence cited by these companies is anecdotal. It does not consist of the double blind testing that would be needed to confirm that these products actually offer a cure for genital herpes. The 90-day money back guarantee on some of these products is laughable, as herpes can lay dormant in the system for many years. This makes it difficult to tell if a product has provided a cure for genital herpes.

There are a few approved medications, which can help although they do not offer a cure for genital herpes. Zovirax® (acyclovir) can be taken either orally, or it may be used in a lotion or ointment form to reduce the time of an outbreak. When taken orally, acyclovir can cause fairly severe stomach upset or nausea. Lotions containing the medicine have fewer side effects and are applied directly on the site of the herpes outbreak. Symptoms can take a few days to a week to clear.

It is important to note that the person with herpes should use particular caution when applying acyclovir. Hands should be washed for two minutes with warm soapy water after using the topical versions. One may also want to consider using gloves. It is technically possible to spread the infection from the genitals to the mouth, so using good sense safety and keeping the hands away from the face can help reduce risk.

Famciclovir (Famvir®) is another oral medication that can reduce time of a break out, and also suppress further breakouts. Such suppression is not a cure for genital herpes but can help people with frequent outbreaks live a more normal life, since outbreaks can be both painful and uncomfortable. Famciclovir takes about five days before an outbreak begins crusting over and then clears. It is also indicated in several side effects like nausea and headache, with HIV-infected patients reporting the most frequent side effects.

Famciclovir is not considered safe for use with those with kidney impairment. Women who wish to use famciclovir when pregnant should weigh risk versus benefits carefully. Famciclovir also passes through breast milk, and there is no clear evidence what its effect on infants and young children might be.

Valtrex® is the newest of the herpes suppression medications. It is taken orally to minimize outbreaks and cut down on outbreak time. Valtrex is most effective in patients with healthy immune systems, and those with kidney disease may need to take a different dosage.

Valtrex cannot give one a cure for genital herpes, but it does offer the most effective option for reducing outbreaks. It has about half the rate of side effects as Famciclovir and Acyclovir. Since the medication is relatively new, few tests have evaluated its possible risks during pregnancy or for breastfeeding mothers. Since Valtrex is new on the market, it may be more difficult to obtain insurance coverage for the medicine. One may need to pay a higher co-payment or the full price, since only the name brand version is available, and may not be covered by insurance.