Conditions
Genital herpes treatment online in Puerto Rico
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that causes blisters or sores on the genitals and comes back in outbreaks. There is no cure, but antiviral medicines shorten and prevent outbreaks. By video, the doctor evaluates you and, if needed, gives you a lab order. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy in Puerto Rico.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Pay now, then choose your time right away. Full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more ahead.
See the cancellation policy
You can cancel for a full refund or change the time up to 24 hours before your visit. Within 24 hours you can't cancel and there's no refund. If you don't join in the first 10 minutes, there's no refund.
If you choose a time less than 24 hours away, it can't be cancelled or changed.
If the clinic can't see you, for example because of a technical problem on our side, we refund you in full.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- You cannot urinate because of pain or swelling
- Severe headache with fever or vomiting during or after an outbreak
- New confusion or unusual drowsiness
- Sores on a newborn, or a baby with fever or who seems unwell
- Sexual assault, or a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours: go to the ER
Help lines
At a glance
Genital herpes
Common symptoms
- One or more blisters on the genitals, rectum or mouth
- Painful sores left when the blisters break
- Flu-like symptoms in the first outbreak, such as fever, body aches or swollen glands
- Outbreaks that come back, usually milder than the first
- Other names
- Genital herpes simplex · HSV-2
- Usual test
- NAAT on a sample from a sore, when needed
- Treatment
- Antiviral for each outbreak or daily, only when the medical evaluation calls for it
On this page(10)
What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is an infection with herpes simplex virus (type 1 or type 2). It spreads through sexual contact with a sore, saliva or genital fluids of someone who has it. According to the CDC, you can get it even if your partner has no visible sore or does not know they are infected.
Types of herpes. "Herpes" is used for three different things. Cold sores on the lips are almost always caused by herpes simplex type 1. Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex type 2 or type 1. Shingles (herpes zoster), a painful band-shaped rash on one side of the body, is caused by a different virus, the chickenpox virus, and is not a sexually transmitted infection. And skin-colored bumps on the genitals, without blisters, may be genital warts from HPV.
For parents: blisters on or around a child’s lips are usually cold sores, which spread through kisses and shared cups or utensils, not sexual contact. See cold sores. Sores inside the mouth, especially with fever or spots on the hands and feet, may be hand, foot and mouth disease. We see children of all ages with a parent or legal guardian on camera.
It is common: the CDC estimates about 572,000 new infections a year in the U.S. among people ages 14 to 49. Many people have no symptoms or very mild ones. Type 2 tends to cause more frequent outbreaks than type 1.
How we treat genital herpes by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience. No judgment, in English or Spanish. Join from a private place; visits are not recorded. Never send intimate photos by email: if the doctor needs to see something, it happens only inside your secure video link.
In a first outbreak, confirming the diagnosis matters. The CDC recommends a NAAT test on a sample from the sore; the doctor gives you a lab order or refers you to a place that takes the sample in person while the sore is open. Herpes blood tests can give false positives, so the doctor explains when they help.
If you already have a diagnosis and get outbreaks, the doctor works out with you whether to treat each outbreak or take a daily medicine. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. Because herpes is an STI, the doctor may also offer other STI tests by lab order.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Video doctor visits 24/7 — book online and choose your time right away.
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit" (or "Follow-up visit" if you only need a refill of your antiviral). You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
Get your plan.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. If needed, you get a lab order.
Price
A new outbreak or a new diagnosis is handled in a doctor visit, with no membership. If you already take an antiviral and only need a prescription refill, that is a follow-up visit. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the clinic can’t see you. See all prices.
Video visit
Doctor visit
$79
For a new problem, urgent care (non-emergencies), primary care, children, birth control, STIs, skin and acne, and visitors. Includes a doctor's note if you need one.
- You’re charged when you request the visit.
- Full refund if the clinic can’t see you
Genital herpes symptoms
Many people have no symptoms. When there are symptoms, they can include:
- One or more blisters on the genitals, rectum or mouth
- Painful sores left when the blisters break
- Flu-like symptoms in the first outbreak, such as fever, body aches or swollen glands
- Outbreaks that come back, usually milder than the first
Genital herpes treatment: outbreaks and suppressive therapy
According to the CDC, there is no cure for genital herpes, but antivirals help in two ways:
- Treating an outbreak: a first outbreak is treated for 7 to 10 days. For repeat outbreaks, treatment works best when it starts within a day of symptoms.
- Daily (suppressive) therapy: in people with frequent outbreaks, it cuts outbreaks by 70% to 80%, and it also lowers the chance of passing the virus to a partner.
Antivirals do not clear the virus: if you stop them, outbreaks can return. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes the one that fits you.
Valacyclovir and acyclovir for herpes: no cure, but outbreak control
Valacyclovir (brand name Valtrex), acyclovir and famciclovir are the antivirals used for genital herpes, cold sores and shingles. According to MedlinePlus, valacyclovir does not cure genital herpes: it holds the virus back while you take it. That is why it is used to shorten an outbreak, to prevent outbreaks with daily suppressive therapy, and to lower the risk of passing herpes to a partner.
Before prescribing, the doctor reviews your other medicines and asks whether you have kidney or liver disease or a kidney transplant, because that changes the decision. The common side effects MedlinePlus lists include headache, nausea and stomach pain. Do not change or stop your antiviral without talking to the doctor.
Book an evaluation; the doctor decides whether a treatment is appropriate for you. If you already take valacyclovir or acyclovir and only need a refill, choose a follow-up visit.
Your partner and pregnancy
To protect a partner, the CDC recommends using condoms every time and avoiding sex during an outbreak. The virus can spread even without sores, especially in the first year after infection. Talk to your partner; the doctor helps you explain.
In pregnancy, tell your OB-GYN. According to the CDC, the risk to the baby is high (30% to 50%) if the mother gets herpes near delivery, and low (under 1%) if she already had herpes before. The OB may prescribe an antiviral late in pregnancy.
If you are under 21, a parent or legal guardian must sign the consent, stay on camera for the whole visit and show photo ID.
When to go to the ER
For your safety, go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have any of these signs:
- You cannot urinate because of pain or swelling
- Severe headache with fever or vomiting during or after an outbreak
- New confusion or unusual drowsiness
- Sores on a newborn, or a baby with fever or who seems unwell
- Sexual assault, or a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours
Why a video visit
| Comparison | By video | Emergency room |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | From home: join from your phone, tablet or computer. | Drive and find parking. |
| Hours and time | Every day, any time (Puerto Rico time). Video doctor visits 24/7 — book online and choose your time right away. | In Puerto Rico, a median of 4 h 52 min from arrival to departure for patients sent home (US: 2 h 42 min; Oct 2024–Sep 2025).1,2 |
| Price | $79 visit · $49 follow-up · $35 forms. You see it before you pay; no insurance needed. | Depends on your insurance and on what is done. |
For problems that are not emergencies. In an emergency, call 911.
Table sources
- 1. CMS Care Compare, “Timely and Effective Care – State”, measure OP-18b: median time in the emergency department, arrival to departure, for patients sent home (opens in a new tab), data for Oct 2024–Sep 2025 (accessed 2026-10-02)
- 2. CMS Care Compare, “Timely and Effective Care – National”, measure OP-18b (US figure) (opens in a new tab), data for Oct 2024–Sep 2025 (accessed 2026-10-02)
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get genital herpes treatment online?
Is there a cure for genital herpes?
Can I spread herpes without sores?
What are the types of herpes?
Does valacyclovir cure herpes?
How do I get a refill of my herpes medicine?
Related topics
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-11
Sources (7)
- CDC: About Genital Herpes (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- CDC: Genital Herpes, STI Treatment Guidelines 2021 (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Genital herpes (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- CDC: preventing HIV with PEP (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Genital warts (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Valacyclovir (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-09)
- Oral herpes (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-09)