Doctors usually prescribe antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) for patients during a herpes outbreak. These drugs treat the symptoms and aim to reduce recovery time of cold sores, fever blisters, genital herpes sores, and other symptoms. After the outbreak has passed, treatment is usually stooped. In other words, standard practice recommends no treatment during the latent phase. The reason for this recommendation is the belief that latent viruses are harmless.