Preventing Recurrent Genital Herpes
Some people with recurrent infections take
genital herpes medication daily to prevent outbreaks. Suppressive therapy can lower the number of outbreaks and, for many people, prevent them altogether. Suppressive therapy also reduces (but does not eliminate) subclinical shedding.
Recent
genital herpes research shows that
Valtrex also helps to reduce sexual transmission of herpes. However, prevention is not complete; even if you are taking suppressive therapy, you must inform your partner that you have herpes and continue to take precautions to protect your uninfected sex partner(s) and prevent
genital herpes transmission.
Pain Relief and Other Treatments for Genital Herpes
During a herpes outbreak, there are different ways to relieve pain. These are especially helpful in initial genital herpes outbreaks. Some of these pain relief methods include the following:
- Take warm baths. After bathing, carefully dry affected areas gently with a soft, clean towel or use a hair dryer set on low.
- Wear loose cotton clothes to prevent chafing.
- Keep the area dry by sprinkling cornstarch in underwear.
- Hold cool compresses to the sores for a few minutes several times a day.
- Hold ice packs to the sores for a few minutes several times a day.
- Take aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) to relieve pain and fever.
During herpes outbreaks, other steps can speed healing and prevent spreading of the infection to other sites of the body or to other people:
- Keep the infected area clean and dry.
- Try not to touch the sores.
- Wash hands after contact.
- Avoid sexual contact from the time the herpes symptoms are first noticed until the sores have healed.
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