Creams or ointments that are placed on the sores are not effective for initial herpes outbreaks. For preventing later outbreaks, people with recurring genital herpes infections also may benefit from the antiviral medications. Treatment is started when the recurrence first begins and continues for 5 days. For continuous prevention, a few people who have frequent outbreaks can only control the outbreaks by taking medication every day. Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir are all used to treat recurrent disease.
Recurrences are likely to have less severe symptoms.
Sores usually last a shorter period of time. Anyone with active disease should avoid any sexual contact when sores are present. Even the use of a condom does not prevent the spread of disease because not all sores are covered by the condom. Although the chance of spreading disease is greatest when sores are present, people who have had genital herpes may always be contagious to some degree, even if they have received medical treatment. The virus can become active and be transmitted to a sexual partner even when the skin appears completely normal.