258. Simple Steps against Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex (type 1 or type 2) virus. Type 2 is most often the cause. Symptoms include sores with blisters on the genital area and anus. If infected for the first time, you may experience flu-like symptoms, such as swollen glands, fever, and body aches, but subsequent outbreaks are almost always much milder and much shorter in duration.
So far, no cure for genital herpes exists, but it is treatable.
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•To help prevent outbreaks and shorten their duration, ask your doctor about taking an oral antiviral drug (e.g., acyclovir [brand name Zovirax], famciclovir [brand name Famvir], or valacyclovir [brand name Valtrex]).
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•When outbreaks occur, bathe the affected genital area twice a day with mild soap and water or use sitz baths to soak the affected area. Take a mild pain reliever.
To avoid spreading the virus to your eyes, don’t touch your eyes during an outbreak. Avoid oral sex if someone has symptoms of oral herpes; genital-to-genital contact for symptoms of genital herpes. Even when no symptoms are present, use latex or polyurethane barriers to reduce the risk of transmission.
