Suppressing Herpes with Famvir : Health Articles - Latest Health News On Accessrx

Suppressing Herpes with Famvir

Wednesday, October 15 2008

It is believed that nearly one out every five people over the ages 14-49 in the U.S. is infected with the Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) that causes genital herpes, with an estimated million more new cases each year. Genital herpes is spread through any physical contact, usually but not always intimate skin-to-skin contact of a sexual nature.

Many people with herpes don’t even know they have it, as the virus doesn’t always show itself. But people with herpes symptoms can suffer greatly, not just with the itching and burning that can accompany herpes lesions and blisters, but with the psychological effects and stigma as well.

Characteristics of a Herpes Outbreak

Some people with genital herpes never go through an outbreak of the infection, but can still be highly contagious. For many, however, herpes symptoms can be severe, especially the first outbreak. Some symptoms of that initial outbreak can include:

Sores and blisters in the region of the mouth and lips, and around the genital and anal areas, that itch and burn;
Swollen Glands
Fever
Aching muscles

Available through online pharmacy AccessRx.com, Famvir is a prescription drug that addresses these symptoms, while making it less likely for another outbreak to occur when taken regularly.

Who Gets Herpes

No one is immune from herpes, and the more sexually active a person is with multiple partners, the greater the likelihood that they will either contract the herpes virus or that they will, often unwittingly, spread it to another person. Genital herpes affects more than 20% of adolescents and adults in the U.S. It is more widespread in blacks than in Caucasians, and more prone to infect women than men. Compared to just 20 years ago, genital herpes is about five times more common in whites in the 12- to 19-year-old age group, and twice as common in adults between the ages of 20 to 29. So it is spreading rapidly.

How to Prevent Herpes

The only way to make absolutely sure you don’t contract herpes is to be celibate, period. Other than that, condom use is the next line of protection, but it isn’t 100% effective because areas of the body that are not covered by a condom may be exposed and come into contact with both partners. And unless you’ve had a blood test for herpes, there’s always the possibility that you already have it and don’t know it. So to be safe, get tested, and either be celibate, or stay with one person who you know is also unaffected by the virus.

Famvir Can Make a Difference Today and Tomorrow

Famvir is an oral antiviral medication that was originally marketed for treatment of herpes outbreaks, and while it is effective for that, it is now also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for suppression of recurrent genital herpes outbreaks. For people who have more than six outbreaks in a year, or if your outbreaks are especially severe, you may consider using Famvir for suppression.

Possible Side Effects of Famvir

Prescription medications and their possible side effects affect different people in different ways, and Famvir may have side effects in some individuals like any medicine. The following side effects are a possibility with Famvir. It’s always important to remember, though, that when side effects are listed with a pharmaceutical product, not everyone will experience those side effects, and many people will experience none of the side effects at all.