Acyclovir 

Acyclovir can be used in the treatment of Herpes Zoster, Herpes Simplex, and Genital Herpes.

Acyclovir is also used to prevent or reduce future outbreaks of the symptoms which accompany an active case of Herpes Zoster, Herpes Simplex or Genital Herpes.  Acyclovir is also know as the generic version of Zovirax

The following items have each been found to be factors that can trigger cold sores (herpes simplex). Many of these events have an association with those time periods when a person's immune system is weakened or stressed. If compromised a person's immune system, which under normal circumstances is able to keep the herpes simplex virus particles and cold sores in check, is overwhelmed and a window of opportunity for cold sores formation is opened.

• Emotional upset and stress.
• Physical stress and fatigue.
• Illnesses (including a cold or the flu).
• Injury to the lips or skin, such as physical trauma or severe chapping.
• Injury to the lips from excessive exposure to bright sunlight or ultraviolet lamps.
• Menstruation or pregnancy.
• An immune system deficiency.

Research has shown that today's antiviral medications for cold sores are able to significantly reduce cold sores (herpes simplex) severity and duration if their use is started early enough. By observing which factors typically trigger their cold sores a person can learn when to expect cold sores. If a person begins the use of antiviral medications early enough (preferably during the Tingle stage) they can quite possibly reduce cold sores symptoms dramatically.

Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, and both can cause genital herpes. herpes simplex virus type 1 most commonly infects the lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores, but it also can infect the genital area and produce sores. herpes simplex virus type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth causing cold sores.

How does someone get genital herpes?
Most people get genital herpes by having sex with someone who is having a herpes “outbreak.” This outbreak means that herpes simplex virus is active. When active, the virus usually causes visible lesions in the genital area.  Sometimes, however, a person can have an outbreak and have no visible sores at all. A person with genital herpes also can infect a sexual partner during oral sex.

What are the symptoms?
Early symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak include

Itching or burning feeling in the genital or anal area
Pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area
Discharge of fluid from the vagina
Feeling of pressure in the abdomen
Within a few days, sores appear near where the virus has entered the body, such as on the mouth, penis, or vagina. They also can occur inside the vagina and on the cervix in women, or in the urinary passage of women and men. Small red bumps appear first, develop into blisters, and then become painful open sores.

Other symptoms that may go with the first episode of genital herpes are fever, headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination, vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area.

Can outbreaks recur?
If you have been infected by herpes simplex virus 1 and/or herpes simplex virus 2, you will probably have symptoms or outbreaks from time to time.  In most people, the virus can become active several times a year. This is called a recurrence.

How is genital herpes treated?
Although there is no cure for genital herpes, your health care worker might prescribe one of three medicines to treat it as well as to help prevent future episodes.

Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Famciclovir (Famvir)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)