The herpes virus cannot be cured but medicine helps ease symptoms-ask a doctor about this. If you have herpes, symptoms will probably come and go throughout your life but the 1st outbreak is usually the worst. Eating lots of fruit/vegetables and not drinking/smoking/getting stressed can prevent symptoms returning. When you have symptoms it can help to bathe in clean warm water and wear loose clothing and cotton underwear to keep the area dry. Do not open/touch sores and do not apply creams unless advised to by a healthworker-the wrong creams may make herpes worse. People with HIV are likely to get worse herpes outbreaks more often. Abstain until sores have healed.
Attribution: Straight Talk Foundation