Relieving pain and discomfort

If you have painful symptoms, there are various ways to lessen the discomfort they can cause.

Pain relievers like aspirin and paracetamol can be very effective for a short time, but anaesthetic creams should be used sparingly because they can slow down the drying of sores.

Some women find peeing extremely painful when they have genital herpes. You can make it less painful by sitting in a cool bath to urinate. It is also helpful to drink plenty of fluids to dilute the urine and make it less acidic.

Wearing loose underwear made of natural fabrics is another simple way to reduce irritation.

Support group websites and newsletters are often a helpful source of practical tips like these. See Herpes Support Groups.