4 ms·

While this advice is good, the article is discussing HSV (herpes simplex virus), not HPV (human papilloma virus), which have quite different symptoms and epidem

While this advice is good, the article is discussing HSV (herpes simplex virus), not HPV (human papilloma virus), which have quite different symptoms and epidemiology. There are, as yet, no approved HSV vaccines.

sitkack 1y ago
Second part of the PSA, one should keep prophylactic antiviral medication on hand incase you get exposed to someone with HSV. With 60% of the population positive for HSV, everyone should have an antiviral on hand. acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525787/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525787/
- OutOfHere 1y ago
  And where/how does one acquire them from?
  - yakshaving_jgt 1y ago
    They’re available OTC basically everywhere.
    - OutOfHere 1y ago
      They're not OTC medicines. They are prescription-only medicines.
      - sitkack 1y ago
        Prescriptions are easy to come by. Talk to people, their signature unlocks worlds.
        dylanmulvaney 1y ago
        [dead]
      - yakshaving_jgt 1y ago
        It depends on the country. There are many countries where oral antivirals are available OTC. To say this drug is prescription-only is plainly not true.
  - wao0uuno 1y ago
    Acyclovir is OTC.
- deleted 1y ago
  [deleted]
- 8f2ab37a-ed6c 1y ago
  HSV-targeting antivirals like acyclovir lower the chances of transmission when taken regularly by an infected individual. They do nothing if taken by those not carrying the virus. Keeping them on hand accomplishes nothing. From the page you link: > If you have genital herpes, you will probably be somewhat less likely to infect your partner if you use antiviral medication for prevention. The medications used for this purpose include acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir. They must be taken every day over a long period of time, though. Using them as a creme or ointment is not suitable.
  - smegger001 1y ago
    I wonder how effective they are on other viruses in the same family as genitel herpes like oral herpes and chickenpox/shingles, Epstein-Barr etc?
  - 01100011 1y ago
    So it's been a while since I had an HSV scare, but from my research at the time you definitely want to start antivirals as soon as possible after symptoms start(assuming you know since it doesn't always cause symptoms). You want to reduce the viral load and let your body catch up which limits the spread and reduces severity of future breakouts.
interludead 1y ago
That said, I feel like any thread about viral transmission is probably a good place for an HPV vaccine reminder too

sitkack 1y ago

Second part of the PSA, one should keep prophylactic antiviral medication on hand incase you get exposed to someone with HSV. With 60% of the population positive for HSV, everyone should have an antiviral on hand. acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525787/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525787/

OutOfHere 1y ago
And where/how does one acquire them from?
- yakshaving_jgt 1y ago
  They’re available OTC basically everywhere.
  - OutOfHere 1y ago
    They're not OTC medicines. They are prescription-only medicines.
    - sitkack 1y ago
      Prescriptions are easy to come by. Talk to people, their signature unlocks worlds.
      - dylanmulvaney 1y ago
        [dead]
    - yakshaving_jgt 1y ago
      It depends on the country. There are many countries where oral antivirals are available OTC. To say this drug is prescription-only is plainly not true.
- wao0uuno 1y ago
  Acyclovir is OTC.
deleted 1y ago
[deleted]
8f2ab37a-ed6c 1y ago
HSV-targeting antivirals like acyclovir lower the chances of transmission when taken regularly by an infected individual. They do nothing if taken by those not carrying the virus. Keeping them on hand accomplishes nothing. From the page you link: > If you have genital herpes, you will probably be somewhat less likely to infect your partner if you use antiviral medication for prevention. The medications used for this purpose include acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir. They must be taken every day over a long period of time, though. Using them as a creme or ointment is not suitable.
- smegger001 1y ago
  I wonder how effective they are on other viruses in the same family as genitel herpes like oral herpes and chickenpox/shingles, Epstein-Barr etc?
- 01100011 1y ago
  So it's been a while since I had an HSV scare, but from my research at the time you definitely want to start antivirals as soon as possible after symptoms start(assuming you know since it doesn't always cause symptoms). You want to reduce the viral load and let your body catch up which limits the spread and reduces severity of future breakouts.

interludead 1y ago

That said, I feel like any thread about viral transmission is probably a good place for an HPV vaccine reminder too