Question 1

does echinacea help suppress herpes?

Accepted Answer

No : Systemic use is believed to act like an immunostimulant for preventing and treating infection. Recent studies suggest no benefits. 
Barrett (2002) ann intern med 137:939-46
yale (2004) arch intern med 164:1237-41.

Question 2

i take 500 mg of l-lysine daily to suppress herpes 2. is it ok to take l-lysine with birth control (loestrin fe)?

Accepted Answer

Should be OK: However that, there is no scientific evidence that anything but anti virals can reduce recurrence of hsv.

Question 3

how contagious is genital herpes? is there any treatment that will suppress genital herpes for a long period of time? i just want to know how contagious genital herpes is. also i want to know if there are any treatments to suppress hsv2 for a long period

Accepted Answer

Hello. : Hello.  If you have active disease it is very contagious. If you have sores you should not have sex.  Even if a condom is used it might not adequately prevent contact with all of the  lesions.  Remember that herpes can be spread even when there aren't active lesions.  Regarding suppression, some people with frequent outbreaks receive daily medication (i.e., acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir).

Question 4

i take zovirax (acyclovir) for herpes simplex (genital). i take 40 mg everyday to suppress the herpes simplex eruptions. will this drug suppress shingles too?

Accepted Answer

That'sALotOfPills!!: The FDA has not approved it for use like that unless you are immunocompromised by AIDS or Multiple Myeloma,etc. It's used 'off-label' for those(i.e. not FDA approved but seem to or may  work).As far as for you, I'd bet it would be prescribed like Gatoraid if anyone thought it would work (there's so many people with Herpes out there), but since Shingles comes-on later in life, that's a lot to take!

Question 5

will my doc allow me to suppress my genital herpes after just my 1st outbreak of hsv1 on my genitals i'm afraid to pass this on to my kids?

Accepted Answer

Manageable risks: If a mother delivers vaginally with her first genital outbreak, there is ~30% risk the baby could get it and have a terrible illness. If a recurrent outbreak, this drops to ~4% but suppression of outbreaks (meds) or c-section delivery before the membranes are open 4 hours can cancel the risk. Rarely, some women shed herpes without an outbreak and could pass it , baby sick  around 2 wks.

Question 6

is there medicine that can suppress/prevent cold sores from herpes?

Accepted Answer

Cold sore med: Yes Valtrex (valacyclovir) (and others) is an antiviral pill that if taken at the first hint (tingle or hotness, etc) can abort or reduce an attack. The treatment only takes one day ! see your doctor for an  rx
there are also creams that help but not as well as the pills.

Question 7

is there medicine that can suppress/prevent cold sores like herpes?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Acyclovir and related drugs such as valAcyclovir can prevent the recurrence of cold sores due to herpes simplex virus.  They must be taken every day.

Question 8

is there any proof that oil pulling can cure herpes or just suppress the outbreaks?

Accepted Answer

Oil pulling: Oil pulling has gained in popularity over the last few years, but there is no sound scientific evidence that it is effective for anything at all. Instructions are to swish ail in your mouth for a full 20 minutes as a substitute for brushing for 2 minutes. It may slightly reduce the bacterial levels in your mouth, but will do nothing to treat the viruses that live along  your nerve trunks.

Question 9

where should i go for suppressive therapy for herpes?

Accepted Answer

Herpes treatment: Any doctor can prescribe valacyclovir or acyclovir for herpes suppression. But best to be sure you have a doctor who understands herpes well. Good luck.

Question 10

is zovirax the suppressive drug for herpes ? how is it different from valtrex (valacyclovir) ?

Accepted Answer

Similar: Both are anti-viral medications made by different companies. For the most part, they work equally well. Valtrex (valacyclovir) is advantageous in that you need to take it less often.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Suppressing herpes

A member asked:

Does echinacea help suppress herpes?

A member asked:

I take 500 mg of l-lysine daily to suppress herpes 2. is it ok to take l-lysine with birth control (loestrin fe)?

A member asked:

How contagious is genital herpes? is there any treatment that will suppress genital herpes for a long period of time? i just want to know how contagious genital herpes is. also i want to know if there are any treatments to suppress hsv2 for a long period

A member asked:

I take zovirax (acyclovir) for herpes simplex (genital). i take 40 mg everyday to suppress the herpes simplex eruptions. will this drug suppress shingles too?

A member asked:

Will my doc allow me to suppress my genital herpes after just my 1st outbreak of hsv1 on my genitals i'm afraid to pass this on to my kids?

A member asked:

Is there medicine that can suppress/prevent cold sores from herpes?

A member asked:

Is there medicine that can suppress/prevent cold sores like herpes?

A member asked:

Is there any proof that oil pulling can cure herpes or just suppress the outbreaks?

A member asked:

Where should i go for suppressive therapy for herpes?

A member asked:

Is zovirax the suppressive drug for herpes ? how is it different from valtrex (valacyclovir) ?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?