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Herpes Treatment Options

Herpes Treatment Options

Antiviral Therapy

Zovirax (Acyclovir:):  Oral medication taken either as needed during an outbreak or daily to suppress the virus and reduce the frequency of outbreaks.  Zovirax attacks the herpes virus and disrupts its ability to multiply.

Valtrex (Valcyclovir):  Oral medication taken either as needed during an outbreak or daily to suppress the virus and reduce the frequency of outbreaks.  Valtrex attacks the herpes virus and disrupts its ability to multiply.

Famvir (Famcylovir):  Oral medication taken either as needed during an outbreak or daily to suppress the virus and reduce the frequency of outbreaks.  Famvir attacks the herpes virus and disrupts its ability to multiply.

 

Other Treatment Options

L-Lysine:    An essential amino acid (obtained by food or supplements) believed by some people to speed recovery time and reduce the chance of recurrent outbreaks of the herpes infection, though these reports are anecdotal and have not been supported by research.

Resiquimod: An immune response modifier some believe to reduce the recurrence rate of herpes, though these reports are anecdotal and have not been supported by research

Non-Medical treatments include exercise, counseling, massage, meditation and relaxation techniques.

 

Vaccine as an early style of treatment options

Researchers are currently testing two herpes vaccines.  The first is effective only for women without HSV-1 or HSV-2, and helps reduce the chance of contracting herpes.  The second vaccine trial is for all people who have HSV-2, and helps increase the body’s immune response to herpes, thereby decreasing the frequency of outbreaks and shedding.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

"Alex" Caroline Robboy,

“Alex” Caroline Robboy, CAS, MSW, ACSW, AAMFT, CSTS, LCSW is the founder and executive director of the Center for Growth Inc / Sex Therapy in Philadelphia, a counseling organization that has an office in Ocean City, New Jersey, Richmond Virginia, Alphretta Georgia and 2 offices in Center City, Philadelphia PA.   In her space time she launched the directory sextherapy.com as a resource tool for professionals dedicated to improving peoples sexual health.  Alex has 25+ years of clinical experience working with adults and children. Specifically, she works with people struggling with compulsion problems, personality disorders, neurodiversity (dyslexia, tourettes, sensory issues, adhd, and high functioning autism) anxiety, depression, postpartum depression, shame, trauma, low self-esteem, grief, relationship issues, sexual function & dysfunction, blended families and parenting concerns. Currently, she provides individual, couples, family therapy and group therapy. Lastly, she offers supervision to both staff and therapists outside of this agency seeking their LCSW or AASECT Certification in sex therapy.  Lastly, thru the Philadelphia International Women’s Project, she led a two year sex therapy group for West African women who experienced Female Genital Cutting as well as a sex therapy group for Sudanese women who experienced Female Genital Cutting. 

Ms. Robboy earned three graduate degrees at the University of Pennsylvania; Masters in Social Work, Post-Masters in Certificate Marriage and Family Therapy with a Specialization in Sex Therapy and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Human Sexuality Education (otherwise known as ABD) as well as a Certificate in Home and School Social Work. Additionally, Ms. Robboy is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor of Sex Therapy and an ABS Certified Sexologist. Lastly, she is a Certified Imago Therapist. She is currently pursuing certification in CBIT.