Living with Genital Herpes


How is genital herpes affecting your life?

Only you know how genital herpes is affecting your physical and emotional well-being. Take a few moments to ask yourself: Are you living well with genital herpes? What you find out about yourself can help your doctor help you.

Knowing How to Live with Genital Herpes Helps Put You In Charge

Managing outbreaks

The good news is, recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes generally tend to be less severe and shorter-lived than a first outbreak3 and, for many, become less frequent over time.4 (To learn more about outbreak types, click here). The following are some helpful tips on managing recurrent outbreaks:

Know your triggers

Although you can't predict when an outbreak is going to occur, knowing what might trigger a recurrence can help you avoid those situations. Some triggers that have been associated with recurrent outbreaks include:

  • Stress2
  • Menstrual cycle2
  • Sexual intercourse2
  • Sunlight on the affected area5
  • Lack of sleep5
  • Illness2

Learn how to manage stress

Stress is one of the more commonly-reported triggers associated with recurrent outbreaks.6 Prolonged stress can weaken your immune system, potentially making you vulnerable to illness.

That's why looking after yourself and your immune system by getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and eating a balanced and nutritious diet is so important.4

Find ways to relieve the discomfort

During an outbreak, you may find the following helpful:

  • Keep sores clean. Wash with lukewarm water5 and use a blow dryer set to a low/cool setting to dry sores that are sensitive to touch or hard to reach.4
  • A cool cloth applied to the sores may help provide a soothing, numbing effect.5
  • Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear that "breathes".5
  • If urination is painful, urinate in the shower or bath or pour warm water over your genitals.5
  • Avoid touching or picking your sores.5

References
Print
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Fact Sheet - Genital Herpes. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010
  2. Public Health Agency of Canada. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections; Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Infections. 2008 Edition. Available at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti-its/guide-lignesdir-eng.php. Accessed Sept. 27, 2010.
  3. Cuisini M and Ghislanzoni M. The importance of diagnosing genital herpes. J Antimicro Chemo 2001;47(Topic T1):9-16.
  4. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. Sexually Transmitted Infections: What are they? Genital Herpes. Available at: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/sti-1-3.aspx. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
  5. College of Family Physicians of Canada. Herpes - What it is and how to deal with it. Available at: Ask Your Family Doctor College of Family Physicians of Canada. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
  6. Sacks SL. The Truth About Herpes. 4th ed. West Vancouver, BC: Gordon Soules Book Publishers Ltd.;1997.