What medicine is good for genital herpes?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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For topical treatment of genital herpes, clinicians generally use antiviral medications such as acyclovir ointment, penciclovir cream, sodium phosphonoformate ointment, interferon ointment, and so on. If there is a concurrent bacterial infection, ointments like erythromycin, fusidic acid cream, and mupirocin ointment can be used in combination. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine ointments that detoxify and dry dampness, such as borax and zinc oxide menthol ointment, can also be used.

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Written by Luo Hong
Dermatology Department
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How is genital herpes tested?

Herpes viruses are generally divided into two types, type 1 and type 2 genital herpes, mainly caused by type 2 herpes virus. The best approach for type 2 herpes virus is to use blister fluid for PCR testing of DNA. If testing is not possible, you can also consider blood tests for herpes virus antibodies. If the IGM for type 2 herpes virus is positive, then consider it a current symptomatic infection. If the IGM is negative, but HCG is positive, then consider this herpes as a past infection.

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Written by Luo Hong
Dermatology Department
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Is genital herpes serology accurate?

Serological testing for genital herpes in hospitals generally provides testing for type 1 and type 2 viruses, including IgM and IgG. Over 90% of genital herpes cases are primarily caused by type 2 virus, so the focus is typically on type 2 virus IgG and IgM. However, IgM represents an active infection, meaning a current infection stage. If IgM is negative and IgG is positive, it indicates a past infection. These results are generally accurate, but their timeliness is not as high as DNA's timeliness. Therefore, if possible, it is best to collect vesicle fluid on the first or second day of a herpes outbreak and use PCR to test the DNA for the most accurate results.

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Written by Wang Zhi Guo
Dermatology
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Is genital herpes incurable forever?

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease characterized by its tendency to recur frequently. It often flares up when the body's resistance is low, during sleep deprivation, fatigue, or after drinking alcohol. Genital herpes is not incurable; it is generally treated with oral antiviral medications such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir. Topical applications, like acyclovir cream or penciclovir gel, can also be used. Recovery generally takes about a week. For those who suffer from frequent recurrences, oral immunomodulatory drugs such as thymopentin or pidotimod can be taken. Additionally, it’s important to exercise, avoid alcohol, and enhance the body's resistance to potentially achieve gradual recovery.

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Written by Luo Hong
Dermatology Department
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Is blood testing for genital herpes accurate?

Genital herpes testing, blood tests generally reflect antibodies, which have a certain window period. If genital herpes has just occurred, and blisters have just formed, it is very possible that the antibodies are still negative, but the disease has already manifested. Or, the genital herpes may have healed, but the antibodies are positive. Therefore, blood tests can generally only diagnose past infections and are not very accurate for current infections. Thus, the best method for testing genital herpes is to collect blister fluid for DNA testing using PCR methods when blisters are present. This approach is the most accurate, while blood tests can only serve as a reference.

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Written by Wang Zhi Guo
Dermatology
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Are genital herpes and shingles caused by the same virus?

Genital herpes and shingles are caused by different viruses. Genital herpes is an infection with the herpes simplex virus, most often type 2 and in rare cases type 1; the causative agent of shingles is the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox, hence the two viruses are completely different. Another important characteristic is that herpes simplex virus infections tend to recur, especially during periods of low immunity, fever, or fatigue, whereas varicella-zoster virus infection can provide lasting immunity, with most people experiencing it only once in their lifetime, and only a very few with low immunity experiencing it more than once.