Acyclovir and Burning: What Users Say

• Doe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2016

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "A year and a half ago, my BF went to New Mexico. While he was there, he contracted HSV-2. When he came back, he was honest about having the virus. I never saw an outbreak on him, so I thought he was paranoid. Last weekend, I noticed that I had burning after intercourse. By Monday, I was sure I had an outbreak. It burned when I urinated and felt like the bottom of my vagina was on fire. Tuesday, I went to the doctor, and she said it looked like herpes. I'm 39 years old. She prescribed acyclovir 400 mg 3x. This is my first day. So far, the burning is persistent, and the itchiness is driving me insane. Any ideas???"

• HSV...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 5, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I found out I contracted genital herpes from an ex-boyfriend about 5 years ago. It initially felt like a cut on my vagina that itched and burned. Went to the doctor the next day and sure enough-herpes (ugh). I take the medicine as needed and it works like a charm. If I do feel one coming, I take 400 mg three days for about 4-5 days. Clears right up. I also used to get cold sores a few times a year-haven't since taking this medicine. It's AMAZING. Just wish I never had to find out about it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 1, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I'm 48, and I was diagnosed with genital herpes when I was 35. I started dating a new guy, and within 2 weeks, I felt horrible burning when I urinated. I went to my midwives, and sure enough, I had herpes. The funny thing is I wasn't with anyone prior to him, and I was with him for 6 years, and not once did he ever test positive. They actually claim I could have had it on my face, touched it, and touched my genitals without washing my hands and transferred it. The outbreaks are less and less over the years, but when I feel one coming, I take acyclovir 500mg 2x daily. It helps right away. And I use a squirt bottle with warm water as I urinate to help reduce the burning."

• Cyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2020

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I had itching for 3 months before my first HSV-2 lesion appeared. It was very mild, but I had the fever, swollen lymph nodes, and intense burning. I took Acyclovir for 5 days, which reduced my symptoms quickly. I am now on 400 mg twice daily for suppression, however, I still get the odd itch here and there."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2015

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I'm 25 years old. When I first realized something was wrong was when I felt like I had a cut down in my genital area. I then realized there was a new form of a bump, and then the itching came along and the burning sensation when I used the restroom. I decided to see the clinic because I knew something was wrong. She ran tests, which I am still waiting for to come in this week, but from what she said, it looks like herpes. She prescribed me acyclovir 400 mg this past Monday, which was two days ago. I have to take one every 12 hours. It seems to work for so long, like a few hours, but I am still feeling the pain, and I feel like more bumps have appeared. I'm terrified. I still have a burning sensation."

• Slo...
• August 8, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "So I am 65 and haven’t had an outbreak for 4 years. In the past couple of days, I’ve had a burning sensation that comes and goes. It’s in a different place than I’ve ever had it. There is absolutely nothing to see, no blisters or sores. But it is so tender I’m lying around with ice on my crotch. My jean shorts were painful to the area. I have the Acyclovir on hand, but how do I know if it’s a herpes outbreak? It almost feels like it’s bruised. Again, nothing visible. Is this a giant outbreak waiting to surface? Is it harmful to take a course of it “just to be safe?”"

• way...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2012

Acyclovir for Herpes Zoster "I've had shingles a total of 6 times because I am immunocompromised. Each time, it was the same area of my back and wrapping around my side to my stomach. I do not recall the first few outbreaks, as it was during a time I was so ill that I am basically missing a few months of my life because I was not alert at all during that time. I do recall the last 4 outbreaks. One of the doctors and I have a theory about why I did not notice the burning, itching, etc., that tends to be very painful and annoying for most people. The meds I am already on. I take pain meds around the clock already, as well as taking gabapentin, which helps nerve pain. Now on 200 mg/day to prevent recurrence. I don't seem to have any issues with medication taken daily."

• Tam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2016

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I am 19 years old, and I just got diagnosed this 2 days ago. Someone took advantage because I was drunk, he began stroking, and I jumped up about 2 minutes into it. He was a creep all the way around, but that's the only person I could've gotten it from, and I'm positive about that. Now I can't get in contact with the boy, and my life is torn apart. I honestly am so upset about this because this pain is so unbearable. It hurts, burns, and itches to stand up, sit down, walk, etc. When I urinate, it burns super bad, and I am in misery. I can't deal with this for the rest of my life. I haven't even been showering because it burns so bad. I just started the meds 400 mg/8 hrs, no progress yet, though. Any suggestions?"

• swe...
• February 23, 2012

For Herpes Zoster "I had an outbreak, and I let it go for 3 days. I came to know that it is shingles. My clinic diagnosis confirmed. I was advised to take acyclovir for a period of 10 days (400 mg) five times a day. Even though the blisters were out, I am getting that shooting pain 4 to 5 times a day, a burning sensation, and as if I am attacked with 1,000 sharp needles at one time, and this pain in my skin frustrates me for the last 8 days."

• Ano...
• March 29, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "About 5 days ago, I realized a cut, I thought I had cut myself while shaving. It then got very uncomfortable and burned while I urinated. Finally, I took my camera down there and wanted to look. I noticed a few more cuts that looked like canker sores, so I made an appointment right away. She told me it looked like genital herpes. She gave me the cream and the pills. It's only been a day, and it doesn't feel like it's working. I know it's soon, but I still feel like I'm on fire, I'm itchy, and it still burns like crazy. Is there anything else I can do?"

• Jee...
• December 30, 2016

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I got oral herpes on my face when I was in the orange in Russia. I've had it since I was younger. I'm 22 now and deal with this. I hate it. But the medication is very effective for me. I'm currently between doctors and ran out of my pills :( and I have a flare-up. Too much stress lately. I don't know how it feels to have genital herpes, but I can tell you having it on my cheeks burns like crazy. Ugh, this cream isn't doing anything either."

• ano...
• July 27, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I just found out I had HSV. I have itching and a burning sensation, and the doctor put me on 200 mg daily. Will that be enough?"