Medications may be used to control outbreaks. There is no cure for genital herpes. However, daily use of antiviral medications can prevent or shorten outbreaks. Antiviral medicines can also reduce your chance of infecting it to others.
Most people are treated with an antiviral medication. An antiviral cream or ointment can relieve burning, itching, or tingling. An oral (pill) or intravenous (injection) antiviral medication can shorten an outbreak of herpes. Many people choose to treat herpes simplex because treatment can ease symptoms and shorten an outbreak.
Although there is no cure for herpes, there are many ways to treat symptoms and control the infection. Genital herpes outbreaks tend to occur less frequently and become shorter and weaker after a few years, regardless of whether they receive treatment or not. Antiviral drug treatment can help people who are bothered by outbreaks of genital herpes stay symptom-free longer. If you don't get treatment for herpes, you may continue to have regular outbreaks or they may only happen rarely.
