Treatment for genital herpes can be divided into pain relief and antiviral medication. Outbreaks of genital herpes can be very uncomfortable, so pain relief is often needed to get through an episode. Antiviral medications are there to help your episode of genital herpes to clear up. The first outbreak of genital herpes is generally the worst.
Pain relief
Pain relief for outbreaks of genital herpes can start with something as simple as paracetamol. As with vaginal tears after childbirth, outbreaks of genital herpes can make passing urine very painful. To prevent painful urination, squirting lukewarm water on the area while you go to the bathroom can help. Drinking plenty of water will result in urine that is less concentrated, so it won't sting as much. There are topical anesthetic creams available, but an icepack on the affected area may be just as effective.
Antiviral medications
You have definitely heard about antiviral medications for oral herpes, like Zovirax or aciclovir. The same medications can also be used for genital herpes in consultation with your doctor. While these medications do not make the virus leave your body, they do shorten the period an outbreak will last and will hopefully make your symptoms less severe. Such antiviral medications are particularly useful for primary episodes of genital herpes. The earlier you commence the use of such antiviral creams or gels, the more effective they will generally be.
- www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/treatment.htm
- www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/herpes.htm
- Photo courtesy of Wellcome Images via Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zovirax,_packaging_Wellcome_L0067161.jpg
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