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A member asked:
Does hsv outbreaks respond to antibiotics?
3 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
No: Since hsv is a viral infection, antibiotics (which are used for bacterial infections) will have no effect on an hsv outbreak. On the other hand, there are antiviral meds available that often will help either reduce the severity of the symptoms and/or shorten the duration of an outbreak such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir. If outbreaks are frequent, these meds can be given daily.
Answered 3/27/2014
4.3k views
No: Hsv is an infection caused by a virus. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat an infection caused by bacteria. Sometimes a bacterial infection can occur secondary to the viral outbreak. In that case an antibiotic would be helpful.
Answered 9/28/2016
4.3k views
No: Hsv (herpes simplex virus) will respond to antivirals such as valacyclovir or acyclovir. It will not respond to antibiotics, which would treat infections of a bacterial origin.
Answered 3/27/2014
4.3k views
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