Final answer:
Typical dosing for acyclovir during the first episode of genital herpes is 400 mg orally three times a day for 7 to 10 days. Acyclovir helps to reduce symptoms and episodes of the disease but is not curative because the virus remains latent in the body for life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The frequency of administration for acyclovir during the first episode of herpes simplex primarily depends on the prescriber's guidance, as it can vary based on the specifics of the case. However, typical dosing for a first episode of genital herpes is acyclovir 400 mg orally three times a day for 7 to 10 days. It is essential to manage the infection and keep the virus dormant to reduce symptoms, as no cure exists for herpes simplex virus (HSV). Antiviral medications like acyclovir help manage the symptoms of the infection by reducing the number and duration of episodes of active viral disease such as lesions on the skin, but cannot eradicate the virus as it remains latent in nervous tissue for life.