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How Will I Know I Have Genital Herpes?
In order to make a diagnosis of genital herpes, a healthcare provider begins by asking a number of questions and performing a physical exam. The condition can often be diagnosed by looking at the sores. However, some cases are more difficult to diagnose, especially in between outbreaks. In these cases, other tests may be recommended, including a viral culture of a lesion (if one is present) or a blood test.
(Click Diagnosing Genital Herpes or Herpes Blood Tests to learn more, including conditions that share similar symptoms.)
While there is no cure for genital herpes, several prescription medications are effective in speeding up healing and in helping to prevent future outbreaks. They can also decrease the risk of passing herpes to sexual partners.
These medicines are known as antivirals. Antiviral medicines approved to treat genital herpes include:
- Acyclovir (Zovirax®)
- Famciclovir (Famvir®)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex®).
(Click Genital Herpes Medication to learn more about each of these medicines. You can also read more about treating the disease by clicking Genital Herpes Treatment or about living with herpes by clicking Coping With Genital Herpes.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD