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

Managing outbreaks

Knowing what may trigger your outbreaks can help you avoid situations that can lead to one. The following are things you can do to reduce the impact of your outbreaks:

Learn how to manage your stress.
Stress is one of the more common triggers associated with recurrent outbreaks. Prolonged stress of any kind – whether physical or emotional – can weaken the immune system, making you vulnerable to illness, infection and of course, genital herpes outbreaks.2,3,4

For that reason, you need to look after yourself and your immune system by getting enough sleep and eating a balanced and nutritious diet. Relaxation is key. Regular exercise further helps to reduce stress and keep your immune system, and you, healthy.

Find ways to relieve the discomfort.
During an outbreak, you may find the following helpful:

  • Keep sores clean. Wash with a mild, non-perfumed soap and lukewarm water and use a blow dryer set to a low/cool setting to dry sores that are sensitive to touch or hard to reach.
  • An ice pack applied to the sores may help provide a soothing, numbing effect.
  • Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear that “breathes” and won’t trap moisture.
  • If urination is painful, urinate in the shower or bath or pour warm water over your genitals.
  • Avoid touching or picking your sores.
  • Do not use any ointments or creams, including those that contain cortisone [?].

Find out about suppressive therapy to reduce the number of outbreaks you get.
If your recurrences are frequent and severe, ask your doctor about suppressive therapy, which can help to decrease the frequency and severity of outbreaks. In fact, many people can remain recurrence free while on suppressive therapy.5

References

 
1. Clarke P. The Impact of a Herpes Diagnosis and the Implications for Patient Counseling. Clinical Management of Herpes Viruses,1995: 75-85. IOS Print, Washington, DC.

2. Whitley RJ, Kimberlin DW and Roizman B. Herpes Simplex Viruses. Clin Infect Dis 1998;26(3):541-553.

3. Sacks S. The Truth About Herpes. 4th Ed., 1997. Gordon Soules Book Publishing Ltd.

4. Kemeny ME, Cohen F, Zegans LS et al. Psychological and Immunological Predictors of Genital Herpes Recurrence. Psych Med 1989;51:195-208.

5. Aoki FY. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 Edition; Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections. Public Health Agency of Canada http://phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti_2006/pdf/sti2006_e.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2006.

6. Cuisini M and Ghislanzoni M.The importance of diagnosing genital herpes. J Antimicrob Chemo 2001;47(Topic T1):9-16.

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