Genital Herpes Simplex

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Genital herpes is caused by a germ called the herpes simplex virus. It causes painful sores on or around the sex organs. Herpes is spread by sexual contact with a partner who has herpes sores. Genital herpes cannot be cured. But it can be treated with medicine. The herpes virus stays in the body after the blisters go away. You may get a herpes infection more than once. Usually you can be treated in a caregiver's office. But if the herpes spreads in the body and causes problems, you may need hospital care.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Your medicines are: ____.

• Keep a written list of what medicines you take and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines. Do not take any medicines without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking it until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks), take them until they are all gone even if you feel better.
  
  
• If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Comfort: Following are things you can do to be more comfortable when the infection is active.

• Keep the blisters clean and dry. Wash the blisters with soap and water and dry gently.
  
  
• Men and women should wear loose-fitting cotton underwear to help lessen pain.
  
  
• Women should wear pantyhose with a cotton crotch. Do not douche your vagina unless your caregiver has told you to do so.
  
  
• Some medicine can lessen the chance of having another breakout. There are also medicines to treat the infection, and help lessen pain.
  
  
• Sometimes it hurts a woman with herpes to urinate. Following are ways to lessen this pain.
  
  
  • Urinate while in the shower.
    
    
  • Urinate through a tube, such as a toilet paper roll. This can help lessen the pain by keeping the urine from touching the sore.
    
    
  • Pour a cup of warm water between your legs while you urinate. This may also help lessen pain or burning.
  
  
• Taking warm baths also helps lessen pain, redness, and swelling of infected skin. Putting wet tea bags on sores may be helpful. Warm baths with a tablespoon of salt can also help ease the pain.
  
  
• Both men and women can put petroleum jelly on the sores. The jelly covers the sores and keeps urine and perspiration from touching them.

Prevention: Following are things you can do to prevent spreading the infection to others.

• Tell all the people that you had sex with before you were treated that you have herpes. They also may be infected and need to be treated.
  
  
• Do not have sex until all the sores clear up (about 1 month). Do not have sex when you or your partner has blisters or sores. Do not have oral sex with a partner who has cold sores around the mouth.
  
  
• When having sex, you or your partner should use a latex condom. Using a condom or spermicide that contains nonoxynol-9 increases protection. This helps protect against catching or spreading gonorrhea and other infections.

Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, be sure to tell your caregiver that you have genital herpes. Pregnant women infected with herpes are at risk for miscarriage or going into labor too early. Herpes also can be passed to the baby during birth and cause serious problems.

CALL ____ IF:

• You have any bleeding from your vagina that is not normal.
  
  
• You get a temperature over ____F (____C) while you are being treated.
  
  
• You get a headache or start to vomit (throw up).
  
  
• Your symptoms become worse or do not improve 1 week after starting treatment.
  
  
• Your symptoms return after you have been treated. Your herpes may have returned and you may need to be treated again.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms. This may mean you are allergic (uh-ler-jik) to your medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a stiff neck and fever.
  
  
• You have a headache and fever.
  
  
• You have trouble thinking clearly.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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