Symptomatic Relief For Genital Herpes

Herpes simplex is not curable and hence all forms of remedies for herpes simplex or their goals would be to reduce the occurrence of the condition as well as providing symptomatic relief during an outbreak.

Genital herpes is manageable. Over the years, a number of treatments offering effective relief from symptoms of genital herpes have been developed.

The following non-specific treatments can alleviate the pain and discomfort of genital sores.

•    SALT BATHS, used to wash the genital area, can clean, soothe and dry the sores. Use 1 teaspoon of salt in 600 ml of water or a handful in a shallow bath.

•    PAIN RELIEVERS include simple analgesics (such as aspirin and paracetamol), ice (which can be soothing if applied directly to the sores) and creams with an anaesthetic component. Creams, however, can slow down drying and should therefore be used sparingly and only for pain relief. In addition, topical creams have limited value on moist mucosal surfaces, particularly in women.

•    LOOSE UNDERCLOTHES, preferably cotton (not nylon), can help minimize discomfort and allow healing.

For anyone experiencing extreme pain when urinating, the process can be less painful when done in a cool bath. And it is important to remember to drink plenty of fluids as this dilutes the urine.

The standard, effective and specific treatment for genital herpes is antiviral therapy, which is usually in tablet form. Antiviral drugs stop HSV from replicating in the body. The treatment only works while you are taking the drug, and cannot prevent future outbreaks once you stop taking it.

Antiviral treatments can:

    - shorten the duration of a genital herpes outbreak and help speed healing; and
    - reduce the number of outbreaks suffered - or prevent them completely.

Antiviral medications can be used in two ways:

    (1) to treat outbreaks as they happen - this is known as 'episodic' treatment. With episodic treatment, the aim is to shorten the time each outbreak lasts and to relieve symptoms. If you are coping well and your outbreaks are not too frequent, you and your doctor may agree that episodic treatment is the most appropriate option; and

    (2) to prevent or delay recurrent outbreaks - this is known as 'suppressive' therapy. If your recurrent outbreaks are frequent or severe - or if you find them particularly bothersome - your doctor may recommend that you take oral antiviral medication every day to help prevent outbreaks happening. Suppressive therapy is taken continuously, e.g. daily, for months or even years.

Oral antiviral medication is only available by prescription. If you are taking 'episodic' therapy, then the earlier treatment starts after symptoms of an outbreak first appear, the more effective it will be. So see your doctor and ask him/her to prescribe treatment in advance that you can self-initiate immediately you detect the early symptoms of a herpes episode.

Some Herpes Simplex remedies involve a stringent practice of hygiene. The sores must not be touched while the hands should be washed frequently throughout the day. Plenty of water must be consumed throughout the day in order to help flush out toxins from the body. The cold sores or the blisters must be kept clean and dry. However do not use talcum powder but try cornstarch as an agent for keeping the sores dry and clean. An application of an icepack is also useful in alleviating the pain and reducing the frequency of the occurrence as it helps in suppressing the virus.

Aloe Vera can be used as an emollient or an ointment for relief from burning sores. A preparation made from propolis is also useful in symptomatic relief from herpes simplex. However since it is a chronic disease, all forms of herbal remedies for Herpes Simplex as well as natural remedies for Herpes Simplex must be taken with extreme caution.

It is important to note that herpes simplex is not curable and hence all forms of natural remedies for herpes simplex or their goals would be to reduce the occurrence of the condition as well as providing symptomatic relief during an outbreak.

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Symptomatic Relief For Genital Herpes

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