Treatment Systemic antiviral drugs can partially control the signs oy and symptoms of herpes episodes when used to treat first clinical and recurrent episodes or when used as daily suppressive therapy Systemic antiviral drugs neither eradicate latent virus nor affect the risk, frequency, or severity of recurrences after the drug is discontinuedTreatment Systemic antiviral drugs can partially control the signs and symptoms of herpes episodes when used to treat first clinical and recurrent episodes, or when used as daily suppressive therapy. Systemic antiviral drugs neither eradicate latent virus nor affect the risk, frequency, or severity of recurrences after the drug is discontinued