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Condition guide · /hiv-herpes/
HIV and herpes treatments
Reviewed by Dr. Arjun Mehta, PharmD — Head Pharmacist. Updated May 2025.
39M
People living with HIV
U=U
Undetectable = untransmissible
Daily
Lifelong therapy
PrEP
About this condition
Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV from a fatal infection into a manageable chronic condition. People on effective treatment have near-normal life expectancy and — once they reach an undetectable viral load — cannot transmit the virus sexually (U=U).
Herpes simplex (HSV-1 cold sores and HSV-2 genital herpes) is extremely common and managed with antivirals like acyclovir or valacyclovir. Treatment can be episodic (taking medication when an outbreak begins) or suppressive (daily medication to reduce outbreaks and onward transmission).
Treatment options
Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
Combination of typically three drugs taken daily for life. Modern regimens are often one tablet a day.
Acyclovir / valacyclovir
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Daily or on-demand tenofovir/emtricitabine. Highly effective HIV prevention for at-risk individuals.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
28-day course of ART started within 72 hours of a possible HIV exposure. Time-critical.
Common questions
What is U=U?
Undetectable equals untransmittable. A person with HIV on effective ART, with a sustained undetectable viral load, cannot transmit HIV sexually.
Is herpes curable?
No — antivirals control outbreaks and reduce transmission but do not eradicate the virus. Most people manage it well with episodic or suppressive treatment.
Who should consider PrEP?
People at substantial ongoing risk of HIV — including those with HIV-positive partners not virally suppressed, multiple sexual partners, or who inject drugs.
Dr. Arjun Mehta, PharmD · Head Pharmacist
/our-pharmacists/arjun-mehta/ — Reviewed May 2025
This guide is reviewed every 12 months or sooner when clinical guidance changes. If you have a specific medical question, call our pharmacist team — we answer the phone, not a bot.
