Herpes is among the most common sexually transmitted diseases, but unfortunately, there is no known cure for this condition. As with most viral diseases, this is a highly infectious disease that may quickly spread, but is not easy to suppress or cure. Fortunately, herpes can be managed with regular medication and proper home care. When you have this disease, you cannot take your lifestyle lightly. Since the symptoms of herpes are not only unsightly but very painful and uncomfortable as well, it is important to stick to your treatment schedule and work out home care plans that would keep you more comfortable. Here is what you can do.
Before you make a self diagnosis, or start hyperventilating about having herpes, go to a doctor and have your symptoms confirmed. You will have to undergo a viral profile test to identify if your symptoms are indeed from the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Your doctor will also chart out a plan for you to manage your symptoms. Since the disease has no cure yet, managing and treating the symptoms is the primary concern of all health care practitioners. Understand what medications you have to take, when you have to take them and how you have to change your lifestyle to better manage your life with this highly communicable disease.
Complementary Treatment
Once your diagnosis is confirmed, and you have a list of antiviral drugs for you to take, it is time to explore complementary treatments that can help you improve your quality of life. These therapies help you on several levels – they relieve symptoms, increase remission times and also lessen the severity of an outbreak. Traditional Chinese Medicine and naturopathy have some solutions to herpes, so you can find out a good practitioner and begin your alternative treatment. However, if you are planning on taking natural supplements or herbs, do consult your doctor about them before you start using them.
Home Care and Effective Management
Taking care of your body, especially during an outbreak, is very important. If you have sores, try to keep them clean, but even as you wash them with warm water and soap, try not to keep them wet. Dry them thoroughly after each wash so that they may not get infected further. This would certainly help speed up their healing. You may also reconsider the choice of your wardrobe. Your sores will get more difficult to manage if you are wearing tight, synthetic clothing. You may not have to turn to lose, breathable clothing. Fabrics like cotton and linen, allow air to reach your body. Loose fitting clothes allow sweat to evaporate. If you are wearing synthetic, tight clothing, sweat may get lodged in the areas where you have your sores, and then you would experience higher discomfort and more pain. If your ulcers are extremely painful and very uncomfortable to manage, you can consult your physician about topical anesthetics for relief. Your physician may tell you which one to use, how to use it and how regularly to use it.