How Long Does a Herpes Outbreak Last With Valtrex?

Valtrex is the trade name for the drug valacyclovir, and it is most typically used to treat infections by the herpes viruses that cause cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles.

Concerns about genital herpes or other sexually transmitted diseases are best attended to by a primary care physician or by a gynecologist. Valtrex is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes infections. The length of time Valtrex takes to act can rely on whether the herpes infection for which it was recommended is a brand-new infection or a reoccurrence in someone who has currently contracted the virus.

Recovery Time for Genital Herpes

In general, antiviral medications are usually recommended for 7-10 days which is how long ulcers typically take to recover. It is possible that your doctor may decide to recommend valtrex for longer than 10 days, in which case you need to take all your medication precisely as recommended.

In many individuals, dealing with herpes infections with valtrex can both shorten the duration of symptoms and decrease the occurrence of reactivation infections. In people who have multiple herpes break outs a year, beginning a course of valtrex with the first beginning of symptoms may be handy in shortening the duration of the outbreak. In this case, treatment is generally just for 5 days.

A really small number of people may have to take valtrex everyday to prevent herpes reactivation. This is typically just provided for people who have more than 6 contagious episodes a year. Dealing with herpes infections can be extremely aggravating. However, it is essential to keep in mind that taking all medication as recommended and practicing safe sex is the best way to reduce herpes outbreaks and prevent transmission to one’s partner.

When Valtrex Should Be Prescribed?

Valtrex can likewise be recommended to shorten the period and severity of chickenpox outbreaks in adults. While Valtrex does not cure the herpes infection, it typically makes the break outs less severe and much shorter. People who get frequent outbreaks of cold sores or genital herpes and who recognize the signs of an impending break out can take the drug as soon as the warning signs appear to assist make the outbreak as moderate as possible.

In addition to these typical uses for Valtrex, the drug is also used in other, less common situations. For example, it can be used to treat herpes infections of the eye, and can help prevent particular viral infections in people who have had organ transplants. Valtrex was authorized by the United States Food and Drug administration in 1995, and has a long and tested history of helping people deal with herpes break outs.

How Long Does It Take to Work?

For how long it takes Valtrex to work depends on a number of aspects, including the severity of the outbreak and how quickly you take it after you know a break out is beginning. Valtrex is generally recommended for a 7- to 10-day period, which is close to the time it considers the herpes blisters to recover. But if your doctor recommends the drug for a longer period, you ought to take it for that entire period, even if you feel relief rapidly.

For people who have actually duplicated herpes outbreaks and are familiar with the signs that precede a break out, the drug may be prescribed for a much shorter period of around 5 days. Lots of people who take Valtrex notice some remedy for symptoms within 2 or 3 days, with recovery of the blisters after about a week. Again, the sooner during a break out a person starts taking Valtrex, the much shorter and less severe the break out normally is.

How Valtrex Works

Valtrex is what’s referred to as a “prodrug” of acyclovir. This suggests the body transforms Valtrex to acyclovir after it’s taken in. The outcome is that the medication is delivered effectively and is absorbed well, so that it needs to be taken fewer times daily. Valtrex works by stopping the herpes viruses from recreating so it infects fewer cells within the body.

As soon as inside infected cells, the drug obstructs the action of an enzyme called DNA polymerase. This viral enzyme is needed by the herpes viruses to copy their hereditary product and infect other cells. When Valtrex obstructs DNA polymerase, the virus isn’t really able to multiply. The result is an infection that’s less severe, and that the body immune system has a much easier time coping with.

Valtrex for Short Term Use

The herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) that cause cold sores and genital herpes do not leave the body after an outbreak, however rather go inactive till they are triggered by triggering elements like stress, diet, alcohol, or breathing infections. A majority of Americans are infected with herpes viruses, but only around one-third ever have an outbreak. Some people have a preliminary outbreak then never ever have another one. After infection, people with HSV-1 tend to have fewer and less severe break outs than those with HSV-2, however this is not constantly the case. A minority of people infected with either kind of herpes, nevertheless, has repeated outbreaks, and for these people, Valtrex can make a huge distinction in quality of life.

Valtrex for Long Term Use in Those With Frequent Flare-Ups

People who have regular break outs of herpes, whether through cold sores or genital herpes, might be prescribed long-term treatment with Valtrex to decrease these break outs. Taking the drug frequently can assist those who get regular break outs reduce the virus and keep reoccurrences to a minimum. But even in these cases, people with herpes ought to avoid sexual contact whenever sores are present.

Valtrex Use in Organ Transplant Patients

Valtrex has another long-term use that does not have to do with the exact same herpes infection that causes cold sores and genital herpes. This infection, called cytomegalovirus (CMV), is a related infection that can likewise lie dormant in the body for long periods of time. Like the various herpes viruses, CMV exists in a big percentage of the population. It’s found in all geographic places and socioeconomic groups, and an estimated 50% to 80% of adults in the US have been infected with it.

In healthy individuals, a CMV break out may go completely undetected or produce moderate, cold-like symptoms, however in particular populations, CMV can be life-threatening. People with HIV, newborns, and people who have gotten transplanted organs are in threat of dangerous CMV break outs. In these people, who have actually compromised immune systems, Valtrex may be recommended long term to prevent CMV break outs.

Dealing With Herpes Outbreaks

For many people, cold sores and genital herpes may be painful and bothersome, however they are not life-threatening. Nevertheless, genital herpes may increase your risk of contracting HIV, because the blisters provide the virus much easier entry into the body.

Handling an outbreak of cold sores or genital herpes is a matter of taking prescription antivirals like Valtrex as directed, keeping the impacted areas clean and dry, and avoiding direct contact with others. Don’t share towels, clothes, or consuming utensils, and handle pain with over the counter medications like Advil or Tylenol if your doctor accepts it. If you get duplicated outbreaks, consult with your doctor about how to acknowledge symptoms of an approaching outbreak so you can treat it as immediately as possible.