Genital Herpes Treatment Online in California

Yes. California Business and Professions Code Section 2290.5 permits California-licensed physicians to evaluate and prescribe antiviral treatment for genital herpes by synchronous video visit. The Medical Board of California holds telehealth physicians to the same standard of care as in-person physicians. Per the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines 2021, antiviral therapy — valacyclovir, acyclovir, or famciclovir — reduces symptom duration, viral shedding, and recurrence frequency. Telehealth is appropriate for adults with an established diagnosis and classic recurrent lesions. Self pay is $79. Aetna is in-network as of April 30, 2026.

Per CDC STI Treatment Guidelines 2021, first-line antivirals include: valacyclovir 500 mg twice daily × 3 days for episodic treatment, or 500 mg once daily for suppressive therapy (GoodRx approximately $38 / 90 tablets at goodrx.com); acyclovir 400 mg three times daily × 5–10 days episodic or 400 mg twice daily suppressive (approximately $11 / 30 tablets); and famciclovir 250 mg three times daily episodic (approximately $30–$60 with coupon). Prescription costs at the pharmacy are separate from the $79 TeleDirectMD visit fee.

Genital herpes affects approximately 1 in 6 Americans aged 14–49, per CDC data. With California's population of approximately 39 million, an estimated 5–6 million Californians may have genital herpes — most without knowing they are infected because HSV serology is not part of routine STI screening per CDC. Genital herpes is not reportable in California; the CDPH tracks it through sentinel surveillance rather than mandatory case reporting.

Suppressive antiviral therapy — taking a daily antiviral — reduces genital herpes recurrence frequency by approximately 70–80% and reduces asymptomatic viral shedding by approximately 47%, per the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines 2021. Suppressive therapy also reduces transmission risk to uninfected partners. Valacyclovir 500 mg once daily is a common suppressive regimen. A TeleDirectMD physician can prescribe and manage suppressive therapy for patients with an established genital herpes diagnosis.

No. Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), which establishes latency in nerve ganglia and cannot be eliminated by current antiviral medications. Antivirals reduce viral replication, symptom severity, and recurrence frequency — but do not provide a cure. Per CDC, antiviral therapy is most effective when started within the first 24–72 hours of symptom onset for episodic outbreaks. Consistent use of condoms reduces (but does not eliminate) transmission risk.

Seek in-person evaluation if: this is your first episode ever (primary infection requires HSV type-specific serologic testing or culture for confirmation); you have severe symptoms such as urinary retention, meningitis symptoms, or sacral nerve involvement; you are immunocompromised (HIV, chemotherapy, organ transplant); you are pregnant with active lesions (neonatal herpes risk requires OB/GYN management); or you have atypical lesions needing culture confirmation. Planned Parenthood California provides in-person STI evaluation with sliding-scale fees.

Aetna became in-network for TeleDirectMD in California effective April 30, 2026. Always verify plan eligibility with Aetna before your visit, as plan eligibility varies by specific plan type. Self pay ($79) is available regardless of insurance status.

TeleDirectMD is not currently enrolled as a Medi-Cal rendering provider. California DHCS confirms Medi-Cal covers telehealth for enrolled providers. For free or low-cost herpes evaluation, contact Planned Parenthood California or California Family PACT. TeleDirectMD self-pay is $79 for adults who prefer to use out-of-pocket payment.

California Insurance Code §10123.85 (AB 744, 2019) requires commercial health plans to reimburse telehealth on the same basis as in-person services when TeleDirectMD is in-network. Aetna (active April 30, 2026) and UnitedHealthcare Commercial (approved May 29, 2026, covering commercial and Medicare Advantage plans) are currently in-network in California for TeleDirectMD.

No. Genital herpes in pregnancy requires specialized obstetric management — neonatal herpes from peripartum transmission is a serious condition with high morbidity and mortality. Pregnant patients with genital herpes must be managed in person by their OB/GYN or maternal-fetal medicine specialist. TeleDirectMD does not manage herpes in pregnancy and refers all pregnant patients to in-person obstetric care immediately.

California requires all prescriptions to be issued electronically under Assembly Bill 2789 (effective January 1, 2022), per the Medical Board of California. If valacyclovir or another antiviral is appropriate, TeleDirectMD sends an e-prescription to your chosen California pharmacy during or after your visit. Most pharmacies fill within 1–4 hours. Antivirals for herpes are not controlled substances.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) classically causes oral cold sores; HSV-2 classically causes genital herpes. However, genital HSV-1 infection — acquired through oral-genital contact — is increasingly common and accounts for a substantial proportion of primary genital herpes cases in the US, per CDC. Both types are treated with the same antiviral medications. HSV-1 genital infection tends to recur less frequently than HSV-2. Type-specific serologic testing (HSV IgG) can differentiate HSV-1 from HSV-2 and is available through in-person testing.