Question 1

How do you treat a herpes outbreak?

Accepted Answer

There are two different types of antiviral regimens when it comes to treating recurrent genital herpes and oral herpes: suppressive treatment and episodic treatment. Suppressive treatment consists of taking daily antiviral medication to “suppress” the number of outbreaks and thus is often suggested for people who have multiple outbreaks per year. Episodic treatment is more of a “reactive” treatment initiated on the first signs of an outbreak, what is known as the “prodrome,” or first signs of a lesion. Antiviral medications, like acyclovir and valacyclovir, can be used for both types of treatment, although the dosages and the durations vary.

Question 2

What are herpes antivirals?

Accepted Answer

Valacyclovir (Valtrex) and Acyclovir are are equally effective at treating + preventing cold sores. They are prescription antiviral drugs approved by the FDA for herpes treatment—to treat and prevent outbreaks that occur on the mouth and/or genitals. Valacyclovir is more bioavailable (more easily processed and absorbed by the body) so you do not have to take it as frequently as Acyclovir, which needs to be taken more frequently to achieve the same results.

Question 3

How often should I take antivirals for herpes?

Accepted Answer

Suppressive treatment, taken everyday, can reduce your risk of an outbreak by at least 80%, and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others down to 1% of the time (taken daily, Valacyclovir has shown to reduce the chances of infecting a partner by 75%) Episodic treatment, taken just when you feel an outbreak coming, reduces the severity and duration of an outbreak but does not reduce your risk of getting an outbreak in the first place. Episodic treatment does not reduce your chance of spreading the virus to your sexual partner(s). When taken at the first sign of symptoms, episodic treatments can prevent an outbreak from fully forming.

Question 4

What should I take to get rid of a herpes outbreak fast?

Accepted Answer

Taking Valacyclovir 1 gram is considered an effective "episodic" treatment that will stop an outbreak in the early stages. Using a home remedy for cold sores in mouth may not be as effective for early cold sore treatment as prescription herpes medication. To get rid of a cold sore asap, always take a trusted antiviral medication for cold sores at the first sign of a fever blister. However, sometimes the best cold sore medicine is to change the frequency and dosage of your antiviral prescription, i.e. taking a daily suppressive dose, instead of only when symptoms start, to prevent herpes outbreaks altogether.

Question 5

Is there a daily medication I can just take that prevents outbreaks?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can take this medication two ways: Just when you feel an outbreak coming (episodic), which is a 5-day treatment that speeds up recovery and reduces the severity and length of the outbreak but does not reduce your risk of getting an outbreak nor spreading the virus to your partners. Everyday (suppressive), which can reduce your risk of an outbreak by at least 70-80%, and reduce your risk of spreading the virus to sexual partners down to 1% of the time.

Question 6

How quickly do cold sore pills work?

Accepted Answer

Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is one of the most effective drugs on the market today for treating cold sores, shingles and genital herpes outbreaks—they are also used to treat chickenpox (VZV). The most important thing for preventing an outbreak is beginning treatment within 48 hours of feeling the first symptoms in the area you're treating (itchiness, tingling, burning, pain). The quicker you take valacyclovir or acyclovir, the less likely (if at all) you are to experience an outbreak.

Question 7

Do you require a herpes test for treatment?

Accepted Answer

No, our doctors will be able view your information and discuss your symptoms with you. Herpes testing is an antibody test and many patients experiencing their first outbreak will not test positive. Most physicians (in-person or through telemedicine) do not require a positive test for treatment.

Question 8

How fast will meds be delivered to my house?

Accepted Answer

Our doctors will review your information within 1-2 hours and, if safe and appropriate, prescribe medication. We ship via USPS, and your package will arrive within 3-5 business days at no extra cost.

Question 9

Are there any age restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Wisp treats patients 18 - 64 for this condition. Wisp prioritizes patient safety and treatment effectiveness. Due to age-related changes in immunity, alongside the complexities of comorbidities, alterations in medication metabolism, and the potential for treatments to weaken the immune system in adults over 65, in-person monitoring ensures the best oversight and safety in treatment protocols.

Question 10

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Wisp does not currently accept insurance for consultation or prescription costs. Our services are priced based on the cost of subscription and one-time purchase amount, and vary based on the needs of each patient. The medication cost is included in our prices when shipped from our pharmacy. Wisp Care access, included with subscription, is priced to provide access for anyone who needs access to a doctor regardless of insurance. If you have insurance, depending on your plan, it may be possible to bill insurance specifically for your meds if you choose same day pick up at the pharmacy.

Question 11

Can I pay for Wisp with FSA & HSA?

Accepted Answer

Yes! At checkout you will be able to enter a Credit Card and your FSA or HSA card.

Question 12

How do I know Wisp is legitimate?

Accepted Answer

You can check our LegitScript certification at the bottom of our site (a 3rd party accreditation service that Google uses and requires in order to advertise prescription drugs). All of our physicians and partner pharmacies are U.S. licensed & Board Certified (they can only dispense medication from certified manufacturers), we store all of your data in a HIPAA compliant manner, and our payment processing is PCI compliant.

Question 13

What information do I need to provide after placing my order?

Accepted Answer

Patients need to provide the following so our providers can verify that treatments will be safe and effective: A current/valid form of ID Height and weight A list of current medications A list of any drug allergies A list of current diagnoses or conditions for taking prescriptive medications For hormonal treatments, patients may need to provide: Blood pressure readings taken within the last year (required for combination birth control pills) The date of your last menstrual period Disclaimer: Additional lab and/or diagnostics (like photos) may be required based on treatment request

Herpes Quiz: Online Treatment & Diagnosis for Oral & Genital Herpes

Herpes Quiz: Online Treatment & Diagnosis for Oral & Genital Herpes