How to Manage and Prevent Outbreak of Genital Herpes

Many people in the UK who are sexually active carry some form of herpes simplex virus. This common sexually transmitted infection usually spread due to skin to skin contact at the time of sexual activity. Some people infected with this virus may have mild symptoms to no symptoms at all. Others can have itching, pain and sores around the anus, genitals or mouth.

If you have just found that you are suffering from HSV-2, there are certain steps to take and lessen the impact of virus on your daily life. You need to talk to your GP and know when to test for genital herpes for staying protected. Though there is no cure for herpes, the medicines can ease the symptoms. It can even lessen the risk of infecting others. It is advisable to use condoms and prevent the spread of this infection.

Go through this post to know about some ways for managing and preventing the outbreak of HSV-2.

How you can prevent the occurrence of genital herpes

The most effective way to decrease the frequency of genital herpes outbreak is by taking antiviral medication regularly. You may also lessen the occurrence by taking proper care of your body, eating foods which are rich in vitamin and getting sufficient hours of sleep. By lessening the stress level regularly, you can actually lessen the outbreak of herpes.

Though you will not be able to prevent the outbreak of genital herpes completely, there are some steps to take for lessening the chances of unwanted painful sores.

Mindfulness

Low stress level allows the immune system to control viral activity in the body and function properly. You should take time out during the day to relax with different techniques such as meditation, yoga and journaling. These can help to control stress levels and keep your body functioning well.

Good lifestyle

Having healthy diet and doing daily can maintain good immune system. Some people who suffer from HSV-2 find that avoiding certain foods with huge amount of amino acid Arginine decreases the number of outbreaks. When you take excess amount of alcohol and are addicted to smoking, it is important to avoid them and keep your body healthy to fight against the virus.

Lubrication

Friction at the time of masturbation or sexual intercourse can sometimes cause genital sores. You may use water-based lubricants at the time of performing sexual activity to lessen friction and minimise irritation.

How you can deal with the symptoms of genital herpes

The occurrence of herpes seems to be inconvenient and painful and there are three ways to speed up recovery process and decrease the risk of transmission.

Antiviral medication

When you take antiviral medication such as Valtrex or Acyclovir, this is the most effective way to treat these outbreaks. Regular medications generally work by inhabiting DNA and stopping virus from replicating. Make sure you take the medication daily or at least 7 to 10 days when symptoms appear for the first time. This may prevent the outbreak from becoming worse and help sores to recover quickly.

Avoid sex

You should try to avoid sexual intercourse till all genital sores are treated completely. If you want to know more on reducing the transmission of genital herpes then speak with your doctor about necessary precautions to take and protect yourself as well as your sex partner from getting infected.

Leave sores alone

Though it seems to be tempting to pick at blisters when there is an outbreak, you should avoid touching the area completely. Wearing tight-fitted underwear or touching sores can cause irritation to the area and increase the chance of getting further infection.

What triggers the outbreak of genital herpes

If you want to know how the outbreaks of herpes can be avoided, you should first detect the triggers. Since everyone experiences genital herpes in a different way, you might also find it different from others.

Initial transmission

Most people suffer from the worst outbreak of herpes one to two weeks after the transmission. This occurrence seems to be the longest when your body hasn’t had sufficient time to build up immune response to viral load. Also, herpes outbreaks on the genitals take place often within the first year of infection and this should slow down in due course.

UV light

Excess exposure to sun may increase the amount of ultraviolet radiation that your body should be exposed to. The UV radiation can affect the immune system negatively which makes viral activity more difficult to control. This can sometimes lead to the outbreak of sores.

Too much stress

Low moods and long-term stress may have a great effect on your overall health condition. This can also have a negative impact on your immune system. Having a weak immune system is a common factor in the outbreaks of genital herpes which allows viral activity to succeed and lead to further outbreaks.

Is it possible to treat genital herpes?

It is actually not possible to treat HSV-1 or HSV-2. But there are steps to take for lessening the outbreak of herpes and transmission of it to others. Most treatment around this kind of virus usually focuses on improving the symptoms. Certain medications like Valtrex, can be taken on a daily basis to decrease viral shedding of herpes and lessen the outbreaks.

The repeated outbreaks usually get milder and less frequent as the older you get. Become. Some people might suffer from one outbreak only while others do not face any at all. Thankfully, genital herpes is not life-threatening for the adults and you will be able to enjoy a normal life after the diagnosis.

Should your partner get tested for genital herpes?

Even when you take virus suppressors daily and practice safe sex, the risk of transmission is not completely zero. Your partner needs to get tested for herpes on a daily basis so that they do not pass on this virus to their sex partners in future.

The testing for herpes is not straightforward like other STDs, chlamydia. The NHS will not test you for herpes till you remain active for visible sores. When your partner does not have active sores and you still want to perform the test for HSV-1 and HSV-2, it is advisable to visit a private sexual health clinic for herpes screening. The screening for genital herpes should be done with different methods for getting the most accurate result.

If your partner wants to test from their home’s comfort, they can try Heroes Simplex I/II test. The test will be delivered in a discreet way or your sexual health practitioner can visit the address for taking your sample.

How you can test for genital herpes related to your sexual health

When you do not have any visible sores on the genital area, you may still have herpes. The only way you can be sure is by conducting a screening test for herpes. There are different ways to perform tests for STDs at the clinic or in the comfort of your home.

Like other health care providers, your GP will ask to conduct tests for genital herpes and know about your sexual health condition. He will also give advice to manage your diagnosis positively and provide effective care from the start to the end.

Thus, if you are having further questions related to the outbreak of genital herpes, then click here and speak with your GP for getting further advice and proper assistance.