HSV-1 is commonly referred to as oral herpes.
Oral herpes tends to affect your mouth or face and causes cold sores.
It spreads through contact with saliva.
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HSV-2 causes genital herpes, infecting nearly 13% of the world’s population.
HSV-2 causes sores on the skin following physical contact with the genitals of an infected person.
Herpes sores typically last a week to 10 days.
VZV is spread via physical contact; once infected, the virus lives dormant in the body forever.
What Is Valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir is an orally administered medication that is taken as a swallowable tablet.
It is sold under the brand-name form Valtrex, which contains valacyclovir as its active ingredient.
Valtrex is generally safe for most people and carries noboxed warning.
How Does Valacyclovir Work?
Valacyclovir is a prodrug of acyclovir.
What Is Acyclovir?
Like valacyclovir, acyclovir is generally safe for most people and carries no boxed warning.
Additionally, branded versions of acyclovir are also on the market.
One such example is Zovirax, which is available as an ointment or cream.
How Does Acyclovir Work?
Acyclovir works the same way as valacyclovir once it is converted to the active form of the drug.
It inserts itself into the DNA chain of the herpes virus and inhibits further growth.
This stops the ability of the virus to keep producing more copies of itself.
However, blisters and rashes may take up to a couple of weeks to clear completely.
Its also essential to take them exactly as prescribed, several times daily.
Valacyclovir remains in your system longer than acyclovir, so some people can make it more accessible.
Both drugs work very similarly; generally, one is not recommended over the other.
These creams or ointments are applied directly to the cold sore to lessen pain or help treat the sore.
Applying these at the first sign of a cold sore is best.
you might also place ice on the cold sore or suck on ice chips to help numb the area.
Potential for Interaction
Valacyclovir and acyclovir dont have any known significant interactions with other medications.
Your healthcare provider will consider your preferences and other factors to determine your best choice.
Keep all acyclovir and valacyclovir out of reach of children.
Yes, if you have genital herpes, you are still contagious while taking valacyclovir or acyclovir.
Remember, these drugs reduce the risk of virus transmission but do not eliminate the risk.
As a result, you should use protection, including condoms, during sexual intercourse.
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