After taking Valtrex do the symptoms go away?

by Dave
(Winter Park, Florida)

I just recently went to the doc. and was told I had herpes. After taking Valtrex do the symptoms go away?



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Dear Dave,

First of all, I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Getting diagnosed with Herpes may be the worst moment of your life, but the truth to the matter is, it is only a minor skin condition that presents some inconvenience from time to time. And if you’ve read the statistics, one in every 6 adults in the US has herpes, so you’re definitely not alone in this!

Since it is your first outbreak, it is difficult to tell how long the symptoms will last. Some people get very bad outbreaks that last 2 or 3 weeks, while some people have milder ones that only last for a couple of days.

Valtrex is the strongest herpes medication on the market. It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline with the generic name valacyclovir. It has been scientifically proven to treat a myriad of herpes symptoms (Oral and Genital Herpes) and other herpes-related conditions such Shingles, Chicken Pox, and Epstein-Barr virus.

Valtrex works by directly releasing the active ingredient (acyclovir) into the bloodstream. This active ingredient’s mechanism of action is to
block the viral enzyme called DNA polymerase which the herpes virus needs in order to multiply. By suppressing this viral replication, it controls the spread of infection to other healthy cells in the body.

Because it has a 55% absorption rate, you only need to take one 500mg of Valtrex a day. However, Valtrex is not for everyone (people with decreased kidney function or liver transplants) so it is best to talk to your doctor about the correct dosage for your condition. In case you experience any side effect (hallucinations, tremors), consult your doctor immediately.

Given that Valtrex is so powerful, the downside is that it is quite expensive and can cost up to $400 a month. Instead of going to your local pharmacy, I recommend buying from an online pharmacy. You can get Valtrex at a much, much lower cost and save hundreds of dollars a month.

Just keep in mind that you should religiously follow the regimen prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel the infection clearing up. Also, continue practising safe sex as taking Valtrex does not completely eliminate the risk of transmitting the virus to a non-Herpes positive partner.

Hope things improve for you soon!

Gary

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