How To Deal With Herpes

How To Prevent Further Herpes Outbreaks

Great news ââ you can prevent herpes outbreaks with the right treatment.

The same treatment used to treat outbreaks can also be taken as a preventative measure. But daily suppressive antivirals may not be right for everyone, so youâll need to ask your doctor if this type of treatment is worth it for you.

According to one study, people who see six or more genital herpes outbreaks per year can see a 70%â80% reduction in outbreaks with daily antiviral treatment.

You may also be able to reduce herpes outbreaks by reducing stress. A meta-analysis of the relationship between psychosocial stress and symptomatic herpes simplex virus recurrence revealed âa robust relationship between psychosocial stress and symptomatic HSV recurrence.â You may want to take some deep breaths and develop some solid stress management strategies.

What If I Am Pregnant

It is important to tell your obstetrician that you or a partner have had genital herpes, so that they can monitor you for symptoms and manage your pregnancy safely. There is a risk you can pass the virus on to your baby if you have a vaginal delivery during a first attack of genital herpes. If this happens you may be recommended to have a caesarean delivery.

Treatment If The Blisters Come Back

Go to a GP or sexual health clinic if you have been diagnosed with genital herpes and need treatment for an outbreak.

Antiviral medicine may help shorten an outbreak by 1 or 2 days if you start taking it as soon as symptoms appear.

But outbreaks usually settle by themselves, so you may not need treatment.

Recurrent outbreaks are usually milder than the first episode of genital herpes.

Over time, outbreaks tend to happen less often and be less severe. Some people never have outbreaks.

Some people who have more than 6 outbreaks in a year may benefit from taking antiviral medicine for 6 to 12 months.

If you still have outbreaks of genital herpes during this time, you may be referred to a specialist.

You May Like: Do Mouth Herpes Go Away

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• What is the best treatment for me?
• Are there any side effects to my treatment?
• Is it safe to have unprotected sex if I dont have any sores?
• Can I give myself genital herpes if I also have oral herpes?
• Can I give someone else herpes even if Im not having an outbreak?
• What is the best way to prevent herpes outbreaks?
• Can I live a normal life with herpes?
• Am I at risk of developing any other diseases?
• Are there any support groups in my area?
• If I give my baby herpes, what is the treatment?

A Holistic Approach To Prevention And Treatment

While herpes normally isnt a life-threatening illness, itis pervasive, persistent, painful and often embarrassing to theapproximately 60 to 90 percent of the U.S. population who have it. SinceAIDS surfaced more than 15 years ago, herpes another oftensexually-transmitted disease has received little media attention andresearch dollars. Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine warned that herpes lesions increase a persons risk ofcontracting the AIDS virus. In addition, the Centers for Disease Controlhave reported that about 1 in 5 Americans age 12 years and older hasherpes, most of whom dont know they are infected. Since the late 1970s,the incidence of genital herpes has risen 30 percent.

To compound theproblem, what conventional medical care offers people with herpes issurprisingly little. Current prescription medicines can be expensive,ineffective for certain individuals, and carry potentially serious sideeffects. The fact is, natural remedies offer many more options toeffectively relieve the discomfort and to prevent future herpes outbreaks.CONTROLLING HERPES NATURALLY: A Holistic Approach to Prevention andTreatment is a supportive, easy-to-use guide to help people withherpes take control of their health. It offers them the tools to liberatethemselves from the cruelty of facial and genital herpes.

CQ Editors Review:

Recommended Reading: How Do You Stop Herpes From Spreading

Don’t Miss: Can Herpes Turn Into Aids

How To Learn And Talk About Genital Herpes

Herpes is almost never a life-threatening illness, and it has few long-term health effects for most people. For this reason, says Henderson, you can come to view it as an inconvenience. Its only right, however, to deal with it responsibly.

Here are tips to help you stay calm while you deal with all the thoughts and feelings that a herpes diagnosis can bring.

Before discussing herpes with a partner, learn the facts yourself. Really educate yourself as much as you can so you can help your partner or potential partner to understand, says Henderson. Knowledge is power, and it supports your emotional power.

Dr. Handsfield agrees. Herpes has a tremendous psychological overlay, he says, but knowledge about the disease can reduce that.

See a medical professional. To get your facts straight, speak with a doctor or other healthcare practitioner. You can do internet research for general background information, says Henderson, but talking with a medical professional can make a world of difference. A doctor can tell you what is going on with you specifically, and also be empathetic.

If you dont have your own physician, visit a Planned Parenthood Center or a community health center. You can find low-cost or free healthcare at these centers, depending on your income.

For the best protection against giving another person the virus, says Handsfield, you would have to do three things:

• First, avoid sex during outbreaks.
• Second, use condoms regularly.
• Third, take antiviral drugs.

What Is The Prognosis For Oral Herpes Can They Be Cured

Currently, there is no cure or vaccine for herpes simplex virus. Avoiding risk factors, such as sunburn and stress, can help prevent additional outbreaks. Cold sores will usually heal within 2 weeks without treatment. However, there are established cold sore treatments available to help decrease healing time, reduce pain, and in specific cases, suppress the recurrence of the virus.

Cold sores, if they recur, are most likely to do so during the first year after infection. They usually resolve on their own within 1-2 weeks. After the initial outbreak, cold sores may never appear again, or appear only when something triggers them. Usually people with cold sores lead normal lives and are not terribly affected by them unless they happen to recur very often .

Dont Miss: How To Clear Genital Herpes Fast

Don’t Miss: Best Medication For Herpes Type 2

Genital Herpes Symptoms & Treatment

FAST FACTS

• Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that causes infected sores or blisters.

• Its caused by the herpes simplex virus which can be passed on through close genital contact.

• You can reduce your chances of getting genital herpes by using condoms or dental dams during sex.

• If you think you have symptoms of genital herpes you should see a healthcare worker, they can take a swab from a blister and test to confirm if its caused by the herpes simplex virus.

• Treatment can help with herpes outbreaks, but the virus cannot be cured and will remain in the body. This means that blisters normally come back once in a while.

Also Check: What Are Signs That You Have Herpes

How Can I Prevent Herpes Outbreaks

If you have lots of herpes outbreaks, your doctor may tell you to take medicine every day this is called suppressive therapy. It can help prevent future herpes outbreaks, and lower your chances of giving herpes to your partners.

Whether or not you take medicine to treat herpes, taking care of yourself by eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and avoiding stress might help keep future outbreaks from popping up.

No one knows for sure what triggers genital herpes outbreaks. Other infections, surgery, sex, your period, skin irritations, and stress may cause outbreaks. Sunburns, injuries to your lips, or other infections can cause oral herpes flare-ups. Try to avoid getting sunburned if you have oral herpes.

Genital herpes outbreaks usually happen less often and become shorter and weaker after a few years whether or not you get treated.

Dont Miss: Do You Have To Take Medication For Herpes

Read Also: How Often Does Genital Herpes Flare Up

What Not To Eat

What to eat to prevent herpes outbreaks is important but what NOT to eat is even more crucial. In order to fully and naturally treat your HSV condition, knowing both is significantly beneficial. From what was mentioned above, you would probably be able to tell which types of food you need to avoid: acidic or high arginine. Acidic foods weaken your immune system while arginine boosts the reproduction of herpes viruses therefore they are the worst combination you need to avoid in order to avoid future outbreaks.

You May Like: Can You Get Genital Herpes Medication Over The Counter

Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

Many people who have genital herpes may not be aware they have the infection, because they may not have any symptoms.

The first episode of herpes can cause considerable pain and distress. Symptoms of the first episode may include:

• flu-like symptoms such as feeling unwell, headaches and pains in the back and legs, with or without enlarged glands in the groin
• small blisters around the genitals these break open to form shallow, painful ulcers, which scab over and heal after one to two weeks
• small cracks in the skin with or without an itch or tingling
• redness or a distinct rash
• some people also have considerable pain and swelling in the genital area, and hence may have additional pain and difficulty passing urine.

Also Check: How To Stop Herpes Outbreaks During Period

Can Genital Herpes Be Prevented

The only way to prevent genital herpes and other STDs is abstinence. This means not having sex . If someone decides to have sex, using a latex condom every time can prevent most STDs.

But condoms cant always prevent the spread of genital herpes. This is because the virus may be in the skin near the genitals .

Read Also: Is L Lysine Good For Genital Herpes

How To Get Rid Of Herpes Symptoms Naturally

By Joe Boland

• Facts and Statistics About Herpes

Herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases , prompting many to wonder how to get rid of herpes naturally.

The herpes virus can live dormant inside a persons immune system for a lifetime, periodically causing blisters that burst and turn into open cold sores or ulcers before healing. When left alone, herpes cold sores usually last about 1014 days and are uncomfortable for a variety of reasons causing redness, pain, burning and often embarrassment.

Many people wonder if there is a natural cure for herpes or are looking for ways on how to get rid of herpes for good. While technically the virus that causes herpes is not curable, there are many natural herpes remedies that can put herpes into remission. In fact, many people with herpes dont experience any symptoms at all, especially long term, once they learn to manage triggers of outbreaks. So while theres no guide for how to get rid of herpes naturally, there is a method for how to get rid of herpes symptoms the natural way and keep breakouts at bay.

You May Like: How To Cure Herpes Simplex 1

Learning To Support Yourself

While the support of others is integral in helping us move beyond adverse events, its just as important to make strides to support ourselves.

• Do your research: Review factual and scientific information about herpes from resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the World Health Organization, and the American Sexual Health Association . The fact sheets they offer helped me realize that herpes was not as rare as I once thought.

• Be realistic about search results: Google is both a treasure trove and a travesty. Beyond government and world health regulations, there are many writers , podcasters, and activists who share their real-life stories and experiences of living with genital herpes online. While these stories are integral to defeating stigma and normalizing the reality of genital herpes, there are some comments that do not always reflect a medically accurate perspective.

• Practice self-care: When was the last time since your diagnosis that you treated yourself and your body to something rewarding? Whether its a physical fitness class, guided meditation, tickets to a sporting event, or something else, a you day can do wonders for your self-esteem and remind you that you are worthy of this life.

• Be accountable: Know when you may need to ask for help, whether thats from a friend, loved one, or health care professional.

Is It Safe To Breastfeed If I Have Genital Herpes

Yes as long as there isnt an open lesion on your chest or breast. If you have an active outbreak while breastfeeding, its possible to spread the infection to your nipples through touch. Careful hand-washing can prevent this spread. You shouldnt nurse from a breast that has herpes sores. You can pump breast milk until the sores heal. Dont give your baby expressed breast milk if the pump comes into contact with an open sore.

Also Check: What To Put On Herpes On Face

What You Need To Know

• Fifty percent to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes.
• Oral herpes can be spread through intimate contact with someone who is infected.
• Oral herpes can be difficult to diagnose. Often confused with many other infections, it can only be confirmed with a virus culture called PCR, blood test or biopsy. PCR is the preferred test for diagnosing herpes infections.
• The best treatment for oral herpes is antiviral oral medication. Symptomatic treatment may include antiviral ointment, over-the-counter topical anesthetics or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents.

Whether you call it a cold sore or a fever blister, oral herpes is a common infection of the mouth area that is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 . Fifty percent to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 90 percent of adults have been exposed to the virus by age 50.

Once infected, a person will have herpes simplex virus for the rest of his or her life. When inactive, the virus lies dormant in a group of nerve cells. While some people never develop any symptoms from the virus, others will have periodic outbreaks of infections.

You May Like: How Do I Treat Herpes

How Long Do Sores From Herpes Simplex Last

If youre infected with HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes, you may notice tingling or burning around your mouth in the days before a cold sore appears. These blisters break open and ooze fluid before forming a crust. Usually, sores last for seven to 10 days.

If youre infected with HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes, your first outbreak may last between two to four weeks. Recurrent outbreaks usually last between three to seven days.

Don’t Miss: Can Genital Herpes Be Transmitted Through Saliva

Who Might Get Genital Herpes

Genital herpes affects sexually active teens and adults of all genders and races. It can spread if you have multiple sexual partners and dont use condoms, including dental dams.

Women are more at risk. Delicate vaginal tissue can tear, making it easier for the infection to get in. Black women are especially vulnerable. An estimated 1 in 2 Black women between the ages of 14 and 49 is infected with HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes.

Symptoms Of Recurrent Infection

The symptoms associated with recurrent infection are generally found to be less severe when compared to primary ones.

Herpes on the lips of young woman

These symptoms are observed to last for almost 10 days the list includes:

• Cold sores at mouth area.
• Women may feel ulceration or blisters in cervix.
• Tingling sensation or burning around the genitals.

Read Also: Can I Get Pregnant If I Have Herpes

Can Genital Herpes Come Back

Yes. Genital herpes symptoms can come and go, but the virus stays inside your body even after all signs of the infection have gone away. The virus becomes “active” from time to time, leading to an outbreak. Some people have outbreaks only once or twice. Other people may have four or five outbreaks within a year. Over time, the outbreaks usually happen less often and are less severe.

Experts do not know what causes the virus to become active. Some women say the virus comes back when they are sick, under stress, out in the sun, or during their period.

What Do I Do If I Find Out I Have Herpes

Its normal to have lots of different feelings after you find out that you have herpes. You might feel mad, embarrassed, ashamed, or upset at first. But youll probably feel a lot better as time goes by, and you see that having herpes doesnt have to be a big deal. People with herpes have relationships and live totally normal lives. There are treatments for herpes, and theres a lot you can do to make sure you dont give herpes to anyone you have sex with.

Millions and millions of people have herpes youre definitely not alone. Most people get at least one STD in their lifetime, and having herpes or another STD is nothing to feel ashamed of or embarrassed about. It doesnt mean youre dirty or a bad person it means youre a normal human who got a really common infection. The reality is that herpes can happen to anybody who has ever been kissed on the lips or had sex thats a LOT of people.

Herpes isnt deadly and it usually doesnt cause any serious health problems. While herpes outbreaks can be annoying and painful, the first flare-up is usually the worst. For many people, outbreaks happen less over time and may eventually stop completely. Even though the virus hangs around in your body for life, it doesnt mean youll be getting sores all the time.

And tell anyone you have sex with that you have herpes. Its not the easiest conversation, but its an important one. Here are some tips:

Also Check: What Do Genital Herpes Feel Like