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.
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
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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(8)
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.
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.
Sores on the mouth are a separate topic: see cold sores. A painful band-shaped rash on the body is usually shingles, a different disease. And skin-colored bumps on the genitals, without blisters, may be genital warts from HPV.
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 or text message: 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
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
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 US$79 doctor visit, with no membership. If you already take an antiviral and only need a prescription refill, that is a US$49 follow-up visit. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. See all prices.
Video visit
Doctor visit
US$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 visit can’t take place
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 and your partner
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) treatment: 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.
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
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. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
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?
How do I get a refill of my herpes medicine?
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: 2026-10-02
Sources (5)
- 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)