One of the most revolutionary new therapies in the history of the treatment of genital herpes simplex infections is now available.

Valacyclovir, which is released as Valtrex by GlaxoSmithKline, is a long-acting form of acyclovir which provides blood levels in excess of 400% higher than regular acyclovir. Valacyclovir (Valtrex) has now been approved to be used in a three day course for recurrences of genital herpes.

The paper cited below, by Leone, Trottier, and Miller, is the source of the information indicating that brief periods of use of an effective antiviral that achieves satisfactory blood levels of medication can be very effective in "aborting" outbreaks of genital herpes.

The concept of "aborting" an outbreak is a unique method of approaching recurrent diseases. In the case of genital herpes, the rapid use of medication - preferably as early as possible in the course of the outbreak - effectively shuts down the production of viral production by the blocking of viral "DNA polymerase", which is involved with the copying and assembly of the new viral particle. Symptoms rapidly disappear with the early use of the medication. If the herpes patient waits until the attack is well advanced, however, then treatment could potentially take longer.

SO IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THE PERSON WITH GENITAL HERPES KEEP MEDICATION AVAILABLE AND HANDY, INCLUDING AT THE OFFICE (SUCH AS IN A POCKETBOOK) OR IN A SUITCASE WHILE TRAVELING SO THAT IT MAY BE STARTED EARLY, WHEN THE FIRST SYMPTOMS OCCUR!

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR VALTREX PILLS TO HAVE ON HAND IN CASE YOU DEVELOP SYMPTOMS (AND FOR REFILLS SO THAT YOU HAVE MEDICATION HANDY WHEN YOU CAN'T REACH YOUR DOCTOR)!

Leone PA, Trottier S, Miller JM, et al. A comparison of oral valaciclovir 500 mg twice daily for three or five days in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes. In: Program and Abstracts of the 8th International Congress on Infectious Diseases, 1998; May 15-18, Boston, MA p 90, Poster 22.012.