If you choose episodic therapy, ask your doctor for a prescription and have it filled before an outbreak. Then you can start taking medicine as soon as symptoms begin. This means taking medicine every day to help prevent symptoms. Suppressive therapy greatly reduces the number of outbreaks for most people. It can prevent outbreaks altogether for some.
Studies are under way to find out whether suppressive therapy can help prevent transmission.
Antiviral medicine can help newly diagnosed people regain a feeling of control over their lives. It can bring great relief to people who have frequent or bothersome outbreaks. Talk with you health care provider about what is right for you. The fingers, eyes and other body areas can become infected in this way. If you do, wash your hands as soon as possible.