What Can Be Done For Herpes-Related Outbreaks?

Friday, November 14 2008

Reviewed by:  Daniel Williams, MD

Valtrex and Lifestyle Changes Can Limit Painful Occurrences.

The herpes simplex virus is a common affliction that affects the lives of millions of people in this country each year. The herpes virus usually responsible for cold sores around the mouth and shingles is usually Herpes Simplex Virus 1.

However, the largest and most severe condition is in the case of genital herpes.  An estimated 17% of the population ages 14-49 have the active sexually-transmittable disease Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2), commonly known as genital herpes. 
 

The vast majority of affected people are unaware of having it because they experience no symptoms. Thus they are silent carriers, spreading the virus unknowingly to their partners.  A genital herpes outbreak usually involves blisters and lesions, often painful or itchy, in the genital or anal regions. Learn more about Herpes FAQs.
 

Herpes is sometimes called the “Hidden Epidemic.”

Most people with genital herpes don't know they have it, and are unaware that they may be spreading it to others.  Genital herpes commonly affects more blacks than whites, and is more prevalent in women than men.  Some people believe that their recurrences are triggered by stress, illness, and poor nutrition, among other reasons, and some people mistake their symptoms for something else, such as insect bites, yeast infections or hemorrhoids.  When a genital herpes outbreak is an obvious occurrence, Valtrex can help. Available from well-respected online pharmacy AccessRx.com, Valtrex can help suppress future outbreaks of genital herpes, and help heal symptoms of current ones.

Follow these tips to avoid contracting, or spreading, genital herpes.

1. To avoid the transmission of any sexually-related disease or infection, abstinence is always best. Human nature being what it is, abstinence is usually easier preached than practiced.  However, so far abstinence is the only way of being completely safe from sexually transmitted diseases and infections, including genital herpes. 
    
2. Use a condom if you are going to have sexual contact. Monogamy is the next best thing to abstinence.  Being in a monogamous, mutually exclusive relationship with someone who has been tested for herpes (as have you) will let both of you know where you stand.  If you both test negative, faithfully maintaining the relationship will help you both stay that way.  If you are both positive for herpes, maintaining your relationship will definitely eliminate the risk of passing genital herpes on to others.  You should always be up-front with a new partner about herpes and STDs for their sake as well as yours. 
    
3. Condoms are a great idea to prevent against STDs, but are not a definite protection against herpes. Herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact, and can be contracted from people who don’t demonstrate obvious outward signs of being carriers. So while a condom may help, don’t count on it to keep you 100% safe from contracting herpes from someone, or to stop you from giving it to someone else.

The professional staff of AccessRx.com wants you to have the facts about your sexual health, and we want to help you lead the most fulfilling and rewarding life possible.

.About the Author:  Rich Bernstein is a professional health writer who specializes in Men's Health & Telemedicine.
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