Case Scenario

Justin, a 25-year-old male, presents to your pharmacy to fill a repeat prescription for valaciclovir 500 mg tablets, which he uses for episodic management of genital herpes. As you are counselling him, he reports that he has experienced six episodes so far this year.

He finds the symptoms to be quite severe, and it is beginning to have a negative impact on his overall health.

Justin wonders why he is experiencing so many episodes and asks you if there is anything else that he can do.

Learning objectives

After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:

 • Describe the transmission of herpes simplex virus

 • Describe the symptoms of genital herpes

 • Describe the difference between initial, episodic and suppressive treatment for genital herpes. 

Competencies assessed (2016):

1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5

Accreditation code: CAP2212CDMES 

Accreditation expiry date 30/11/2025

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Introduction 

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) cause

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