I don't take antiviral medication.
How can I get less outbreaks?

When working out which antiviral medication plan is best for you, consider how often you get outbreaks and how painful they are.
Another consideration is how bad they make you feel. Do the outbreaks get you down and really upset or annoy you?

There are two types of medication:

  1. Suppressive or preventative therapy which you take every day to help prevent outbreaks
  2. Episodic therapy which you take only when you get an outbreak to treat that outbreak

Taking antiviral medication every day might be a better option if:

  • You get a lot of outbreaks each year
  • The outbreaks are painful
  • You're sick of getting outbreaks at inappropriate times (such as when you're in a new relationship, during exams, during your monthly period or at other times when you're stressed out)
  • You're fed-up with being reminded each time you have an outbreak that you have herpes.

Suppressive or preventative therapy can reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

If you think this option suits you better, discuss it with your doctor and explain that you would like less outbreaks. Your doctor can provide you with a 'Less Outbreaks Information Kit' and a medication plan that is right for you.

Alternatively, if you only get outbreaks occasionally, if they are quite mild or if they don't stress you out too much then you can take antiviral medication to treat each outbreak. The aim is to reduce the symptoms and signs of the outbreak. These may include genital itching, tingling, rash, blisters or sores, or a vaginal discharge.

Episodic therapy is a good option if you don't get many outbreaks in a year, if they are not very severe or if they don't stress you out too much.

Again, discuss this with your doctor so you can develop a medication plan that works for you.