If there is any question or possibility of having genital herpes or any other STD you have to stop having unprotected sex right away. No ifs’, ands’ or buts’ you have to simply stop having sex or use some protection to prevent the spread of herpes. It is actually best to refrain from sex until you know what you have and if it can be passed onto others.
The next step is to confirm if you have herpes or some other STD. That means going to a Doctor and getting tested. Once you have confirmation that you actually have genital herpes and not some other STD you get the right treatment. Medication is fundamental in controlling the outbreaks of herpes. Some medications are used to treat an outbreak and reduce its length. Others are used to prevent outbreaks. You will probably use both types when needed. Two common treatments prescribed to help herpes suppression are Valtrex and Acyclovir.
When you are having an outbreak there are some things you can do to give yourself some comfort.
- Don’t wear tight clothing. The looser fitting the better.
- Use a cool cloth on outbreak. This should sooth the area.
- Warm bath can offer some comfort.
- Stay clean and dry as much as possible when not soaking in a bath or using a cool cloth
- Don’t use a towel to dry off after bath or shower. Use a hair dryer on low power on any areas with painful sores.
- Avoid actually touching the sores or breaking open the blisters.
- If you do touch the sores wash hands immediately. Do not touch others until you wash your hands. Avoid touching your own face or eyes as well.
- Ladies should avoid using feminine sprays, deodorants or douches.
- Only use creams and ointments on any sores or blisters that have been prescribed by your Doctor or healthcare provider.
Don’t spread genital herpes
- You have to let any and all sexual partners know that you have herpes. They have to decide if they want to risk getting it. If they do have sex with you they have the opportunity to protect themselves from getting it.
- Just because you don’t have genital herpes symptoms does not mean you cannot give it to someone. So use a condom during sex, even when you don’t have an outbreak.
- Do not have sex when you do have active genital herpes symptoms. This means no vaginal, oral or anal sex at all until the genital herpes symptoms are gone.