Update on antiviral therapy for genital herpes infection.
For the primary infection of genital herpes, antiviral therapy with acyclovir is the gold standard. For recurrences, there are two options: antiviral treatment of each outbreak as it arises, or suppression of outbreaks with daily oral therapy. Patients tend to prefer the latter because it can decrease the number and severity of outbreaks, but it increases asymptomatic viral shedding and, therefore, the risk of unwittingly transmitting herpes simplex virus to uninfected sexual partners.
Geers
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TA
Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Akron General Medical Center, USA.
Isada
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CM
D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077595:Famciclovir; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017201:Virus Shedding
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000077595:Famciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir