How to Live With Herpes

Herpes is a virus that lies dormant in the body between outbreaks. There are many different types of herpes, but the most common types are herpes simplex type 1, or HSV-1, and herpes simplex type 2, or HSV-2. They cause sores on or near the mouth or genitals. Learn how to live with herpes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Live a healthy lifestyle and refrain from stressful activities and situations. Stress lowers immune response, which can allow herpes to emerge from remission and cause symptoms.

2. Eat a well-balanced diet. Vitamin supplements can be helpful, and there is evidence that the amino acids and lysine, available in tablets or cream, can also help.

3. Treat your oncoming symptoms of herpes by asking your doctor for a prescription. There are medications which can lessen the symptoms of an outbreak and sometimes even prevent them.

4. Wear a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunblock. The sun's rays can activate herpes and bring it out of remission.

5. Inform your sexual partner that you have herpes. It is possible for herpes to be spread by viral shedding, even when you aren't experiencing any symptoms. It's unethical to expose your partner to this risk without warning.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry your herpes sores with a clean towel, which you must place promptly in the dirty clothes hamper or washing machine.
• You can also use a blow dryer for drying your sores after bathing.
• Avoid kissing or sexual relations during a live outbreak or when symptoms of an oncoming outbreak present themselves. Herpes is very contagious when an outbreak begins.
• Don't touch open herpes sores—you risk spreading the virus to other parts of your body. If you touch them, immediately wash your hands with soap and warm water.
• Skip foods such as nuts, seeds, chocolate and cereal grains during an outbreak. These arginine-containing foods can prolong an outbreak.

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[cuteblackgirl]

on 8/23/2008 I was diagnosed at 17 yrs old as genital herpes.After then I noticed tingling in my arms and legs as a sighn I was about to have an outbreak.I'm 29 now and I have had the same sex partner who is very understanding to this.We have been together 9 years, when we got together I noticed I wasn't getting genital outbreaks...but inner ear outbreaks? I noticed heat (being hot in the car especially)and a new pair of earrings in my second hole in my ear would star an outbreak.I tinted my car windows and only put new earrings in that are surgical steel and only if i will be in air conditioning a couple of days after i do it. I'd like to point out to you that I havent had an outbreak down there or in my ears for about 4 years now. why is that??? Not that I'm happy, but I'm beginning to think maybe I never had it, and if I do I don't want it to pop up in the right place.

[cuteblackgirl]

on 8/23/2008 I was diagnosed at 17 yrs old as genital herpes.After then I noticed tingling in my arms and legs as a sighn I was about to have an outbreak.I'm 29 now and I have had the same sex partner who is very understanding to this.We have been together 9 years, when we got together I noticed I wasn't getting genital outbreaks...but inner ear outbreaks? I noticed heat (being hot in the car especially)and a new pair of earrings in my second hole in my ear would star an outbreak.I tinted my car windows and only put new earrings in that are surgical steel and only if i will be in air conditioning a couple of days after i do it. I'd like to point out to you that I havent had an outbreak down there or in my ears for about 4 years now. why is that??? Not that I'm happy, but I'm beginning to think maybe I never had it, and if I do I don't want it to pop up in the right place.

[cuteblackgirl]

on 8/23/2008 i was diagnosed w/ genital herpes.As i got older it stopped breaking out there, and started in my ear. I tinted my car windows and kept from using my second earring hole...the sunwould start an outbreak and new earrings. its been about 5 years and I havent had an outbreak since... not that im not happy but whats the deal???

[alexandriaR]

on 1/14/2008 How about curing them: Check out the Science Journal America and other publications: LicoriceBHT.com has a compilation. Licorice Root(GA extract) and BHT a food preservative go after the nucleas of the dormant cell.
Not just taking care of the outbreak as we have been doing.

[nicolexue]

on 10/10/2007 Find people living with herpes STDromance.com