Adult Genital Herpes Treatment in Florida
MD-only online genital herpes evaluation for adults in Florida with guideline-based antiviral treatment when appropriate. $49 flat-fee video visit, no insurance required.
Genital herpes is viral (HSV-1 or HSV-2). Antibiotics do not treat herpes outbreaks. Antiviral medication can shorten outbreaks and reduce transmission risk when used correctly.
- Assessment of HSV vs yeast, BV, UTI, folliculitis, or syphilis lesions
- Antiviral prescribing when clinically appropriate
- Outbreak care, prevention counseling, and partner guidance
- Clear thresholds for in-person testing and urgent evaluation
- Adults only (18+)
What Is Genital Herpes?
Genital herpes is a common viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus, most often HSV-2 and sometimes HSV-1. Many adults have mild symptoms or no symptoms, but the virus can still be transmitted through skin contact. When outbreaks occur, they often begin with tingling, burning, or pain, followed by clusters of blisters that can open into shallow ulcers and then heal.
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only online care in Florida focused on accurate recognition, antiviral treatment when appropriate, education on contagiousness, and clear guidance on when in-person testing or urgent care is needed.
Genital Herpes Symptoms and Red Flags
TeleDirectMD evaluates lesion pattern, timing, recurrence history, pregnancy status, immune status, urinary symptoms, and any neurologic or eye symptoms. This helps confirm the diagnosis and identify situations that need in-person evaluation.
| Symptom or pattern | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person or ER care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tingling or burning, then grouped blisters or shallow ulcers | Typical HSV outbreak | Often yes | Eye pain or vision changes |
| First episode with significant pain and swollen groin nodes | Possible primary outbreak | Sometimes | High fever, inability to keep fluids down, fainting |
| Burning with urination due to sores, but able to void | HSV irritation, consider UTI if urinary frequency present | Often yes | Unable to urinate or severe urinary retention |
| Widespread lesions or severe symptoms in immunocompromised | Higher risk course | Sometimes | Immunocompromised with extensive lesions or systemic symptoms |
| New severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion | Possible neurologic complication, uncommon but serious | No | Immediate emergency evaluation |
| Painful expanding redness, warmth, pus | Possible secondary bacterial infection or cellulitis | Sometimes | Rapid spread, high fever, severe tenderness |
Conditions That Can Mimic Genital Herpes
Several conditions can cause genital irritation, bumps, or ulcers. Your TeleDirectMD physician uses appearance, symptoms, and history to guide the most likely diagnosis and whether testing is needed.
Yeast Infection
Often causes itching and irritation. It typically does not cause grouped blisters or ulcers.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Often causes odor and discharge. Ulcer-like lesions are not typical.
UTI
Causes urinary frequency and burning. Visible sores suggest HSV, but overlap can occur.
Folliculitis or Ingrown Hair
Usually isolated bumps around hair follicles, often not ulcerating and not clustered.
Syphilis
Can cause painless ulcers. Testing is important when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Contact Dermatitis
Irritation from soaps, wipes, condoms, or lubricants can cause redness and burning without viral ulcers.
When Genital Herpes Can Be Managed Through Telehealth
TeleDirectMD is best for adults with stable symptoms and lesions that look consistent with HSV, especially when started early. Some cases require in-person examination or testing.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ with typical HSV symptoms or a known prior diagnosis with a recurrent outbreak.
- Symptoms started recently, ideally within 72 hours for best antiviral benefit.
- No severe headache with stiff neck, no confusion, and no eye symptoms.
- Able to urinate and drink fluids.
- Physically located in Florida at the time of the visit.
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Severe headache with stiff neck, new confusion, or fainting.
- Eye pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes.
- Unable to urinate, severe pelvic pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
- High fever, severe weakness, or dehydration.
- Immunocompromised with extensive lesions or systemic symptoms.
- Pregnancy with new genital ulcers needs urgent obstetric coordination.
How TeleDirectMD Treats Genital Herpes in Adults
HSV care focuses on antiviral therapy when appropriate, symptom relief, and reducing transmission risk. Antivirals are most effective when started early in an outbreak.
Episodic Antiviral Treatment
- Valacyclovir, acyclovir, or famciclovir may be used based on history and clinical scenario.
- Best started as soon as symptoms begin.
- Shortens symptom duration for many patients.
Suppressive Therapy for Frequent Outbreaks
- Daily antivirals can reduce outbreak frequency and reduce transmission risk.
- Discussed when outbreaks are frequent, severe, or when reducing transmission is a priority.
- Requires clinical review of history and safety factors.
Symptom Relief and Prevention
- Keep the area clean and dry, avoid friction and tight clothing.
- Oral pain relief options may be discussed when safe for you.
- Avoid sex during outbreaks and use condoms to reduce risk between outbreaks.
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances for HSV visits. If lesions are atypical, severe, or recurrent without clear diagnosis, in-person testing may be recommended.
Medication Table for Adult Genital Herpes
These are common adult regimens used for HSV when clinically appropriate. TeleDirectMD individualizes therapy based on timing, kidney history, pregnancy status, immune status, and first episode versus recurrence.
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valacyclovir | 1000 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 7 to 10 days | First episode treatment when clinically appropriate. |
| Acyclovir | 400 mg by mouth 3 times daily | 7 to 10 days | Alternative first episode regimen when clinically appropriate. |
| Valacyclovir | 500 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 3 days | Recurrent outbreak episodic regimen, started early. |
| Valacyclovir | 1000 mg by mouth once daily | 5 days | Recurrent outbreak episodic regimen, started early. |
| Famciclovir | 1000 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 1 day | Alternative recurrent outbreak regimen when appropriate. |
| Valacyclovir | 500 mg by mouth once daily | Long-term | Suppressive therapy option for many patients, individualized by history. |
| Valacyclovir | 1000 mg by mouth once daily | Long-term | Suppressive therapy option for frequent outbreaks or transmission reduction strategy. |
If you are pregnant or might be pregnant, tell your physician. HSV management and delivery planning require obstetric coordination.
Home Care and Return to Work
Genital herpes does not spread through casual contact at work. Most adults can continue normal daily activities. The key is avoiding sexual contact during outbreaks and following prevention steps between outbreaks.
Home Care Checklist
- Start antiviral medication early if prescribed.
- Keep the area clean and dry, avoid friction and tight clothing.
- Avoid sex during outbreaks and until lesions are fully healed.
- Use condoms to reduce risk between outbreaks, risk is reduced but not zero.
- Consider discussing suppressive therapy if outbreaks are frequent or transmission prevention is a priority.
When to Recheck
- Lesions are worsening or not improving after several days of treatment.
- New fever, severe pelvic pain, inability to urinate, or severe weakness.
- New eye pain, vision changes, or neurologic symptoms.
- Uncertain diagnosis or new types of lesions.
TeleDirectMD Genital Herpes Care: What to Expect
TeleDirectMD provides MD-only virtual urgent care for adults for $49 flat-fee video visits in 25+ states. For genital herpes in Florida, your physician reviews symptoms, lesion pattern, timing, history of prior outbreaks, and red flags. When appropriate, we prescribe antiviral treatment and provide guidance on symptom relief, transmission risk, and prevention. No controlled substances are prescribed.