Even though herpes has no cure and you’ll have to live with it, there are many ways you can manage it and reduce its outbreak. You may have many questions about herpes outbreaks, like can stress cause a herpes outbreak? Stay tuned to get answers to these questions but before we go further, let’s first understand herpes, its causes, symptoms, and treatment. 

 

What is herpes? 

 

Herpes is a common viral sexually transmitted disease caused by two types of viruses; herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 hence the two types of herpes. Herpes is contagious and can be transmitted through vaginal, oral, and anal sexual contact. It mostly affects women because of their unique anatomy. It is also common in youth and young adults between the age of 15-24. However, herpes can affect any gender and any age. 

 

The two common types of herpes are genital herpes and oral herpes. Genital herpes is mainly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 via vaginal sexual contact, though herpes simplex type 1 also causes it via oral sexual contact. Genital herpes is so common that in five women between the age of 14-49, at least one has genital herpes. There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are medications to prevent its outbreak and manage the symptoms. 

 

The symptoms of genital herpes may include:

 

  • Pain while urinating
  • Painful genitals and its surrounding, which also itch
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Urethral discharge
  • Scabbing 
  • Painful ulcers resulting from ruptured blisters
  • Small bumps around the anus, genitals, and mouth

 

You can also experience flu-like symptoms like;

 

 

Another type of herpes is oral herpes, mainly caused by HSV-1. It primarily affects the mouth and its surrounding hence the name. Oral herpes is mainly transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with the herpes sores during kissing and other contacts. You can also get it by sharing eating utensils, towels, and razors. HSV-2 can also cause oral herpes through oral sexual contact.  

 

What to do if you find out you have herpes 

 

Having different feelings after finding out you have herpes is normal. You might feel upset, mad, ashamed, and even embarrassed to share the ordeal. You should take it positively, and no that getting herpes doesn’t mean you are “dirty” or a bad person. Before these thoughts fill your brain, know that most people get at least one STD in their lifetime. 

 

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You should avoid stressing yourself because, ideally, stress triggers herpes outbreak which answers the question, can stress cause a herpes outbreak? Herpes is not life-threatening though its outbreaks can be painful and annoying. The frequency of the outbreaks reduces over time and may eventually stop completely in most people. 

 

When you find out you have herpes is to follow your doctor’s treatment directions. You can also try sharing it with your confidant or join a support group for people living with herpes to make you feel better. 

How to talk with people about having herpes 

 

The news of having herpes can be scary, and if you hold on to it for a long time and take it negatively, it can cause long-term stress, which can trigger its outbreak in the future. We have answered the question can stress cause a herpes outbreak, and now you know it can. Admitting that you have herpes and talking about it can ease your mind. 

 

The best thing is to share the news with a close and non-judgmental friend you trust to keep the conversation confidential. You can look for a source of comfort in your parents, aunts, brothers, uncles, sisters, and other family members. 

 

How to reduce future herpes outbreaks? 

 

Once infected, the herpes virus hides within your nerve cells and can remain dormant for a long time. The virus can reactivate though the frequency of reactivation differs from person to person. For example, some can have herpes outbreaks four times a year, while others only have it once. The following can trigger herpes outbreaks:

 

  • Injury
  • Fatigue
  • Genital irritation
  • Menstruation
  • Physical or emotional stress

 

Managing the outbreaks 

 

Now that you have the answer to the question can stress cause a herpes outbreak? The first step to managing outbreaks is to avoid what triggers them, like stress. But once the outbreak has occurred, do the following to ease the symptoms:

 

  • Take ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin to relieve the pain
  • Apply cool compresses to the sores many times a day to ease the pain and itching
  • If you have sores in the labia, urinate in a tub of water to avoid pain

 

Also, the following may speed up the healing process of the sores:

 

  • Gently wash sores with soap and water, then pat them dry
  • Avoid bandaging the sores as they need air to speed up the healing
  • Avoid picking at sores as they can get infected, thus slowing healing
  • Avoid using ointment or lotion on the sores unless your doctor prescribes it
  • Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear. Avoid synthetic pantyhose or nylon underwear.

 

Medication

 

Herpes is incurable, but some medications like acyclovir may help you relieve pain and discomfort and increase the healing process. These medications also help in reducing the number of outbreaks. Strictly follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take medicine. There are two ways to take herpes medicine, and they include:

 

  • The first one is to take them when there is an outbreak which is taken for about 7-10 days. This helps in shortening the time it takes for symptoms to clear up.
  • The second one is taken daily to prevent outbreaks

 

These medications have side effects though they are not that serious, they may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Seizures
  • Tremor
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rash

 

How to reduce outbreaks 

 

There are antiviral medications you can take daily to prevent herpes outbreaks. But you can also prevent these future outbreaks by keeping yourself healthy. You can do things like:

  • Getting plenty of sleep to keep your immune strong
  • Eat healthy foods to boost your immune system and make you stay strong.
  • Reduce stress. You have the answer to the question can stress cause a herpes outbreak, but you don’t know how. Stress weakens the immune system, especially if it is constant.
  • Avoid sun, wind, extreme cold, and heat.

 

How to prevent herpes from spreading?

 

Herpes rarely shows symptoms, but even without the symptoms, you can still spread the infection to your loved ones. Therefore, it is important to know some ways of preventing the spread of this contagious disease. You can prevent its spread by doing the following:

 

  • Let your sexual partner know you have the virus before having sex, so you take the precautionary measures
  • Using latex or polyurethane condoms every time you are having sex and avoiding sex during symptomatic outbreaks
  • Avoid vaginal, oral, or anal sex when sores are on or near these areas.
  • Avoid sharing towels, toothbrushes, lipstick, or eating utensils. Ensure you wash your dishes thoroughly with detergents before others use them. 
  • Ensure you and your partner get tested even if you haven’t had a herpes outbreak
  • Avoid kissing or having oral sex when having sores on your lips or inside your mouth.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Having genital herpes can be traumatizing, but it is not the end of the world as this infection is not deadly. Though genital herpes remains in the body for the rest of your life after infection, some medications help manage its symptoms and reduce its outbreaks. 

 

You can reduce the chances of having outbreaks by lowering your stress, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, etc.

Contributor: admin