Herpes is the most common STD in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least one out of six people in the USA aged 14 to 50 has genital herpes. This means there’s a chance you’ve contracted somewhere along the way, especially if you had unprotected sex. This particular disease is rather tricky because it tends to lie dormant in the body. Some people don’t even know they have it right until they infect someone else or until they experience the first outbreak. Living with herpes is not easy, but if you follow certain rules, you can avoid most unpleasant and painful situations. Just ask anyone from the herpes dating niche and you’ll see. So, without further ado, here are 5 crucial lifestyle tips for people with genital herpes.
Talk to Your Potential Partner About Your STD
Having a normal dating life when you have herpes is quite a challenge, especially because most people don’t want to start a relationship with someone who has this STD. This is one of the main reasons why some individuals tend to lie about their condition. They believe it’s the only way to get a date. This, of course, is a wrong approach. If you truly want to have a successful relationship, you need to be completely honest about your health condition. Yes, some people will reject you, but you must be patient and honest with potential dates. This is the only way you’ll find someone who will accept you for who you are.
Avoid Any Kind of Intimate Contact During an Outbreak
Once you find your perfect companion, it’s important to avoid any kind of intimate contact during an outbreak. If you don’t know, “outbreak” or a “flare-up” is a nasty period during which an infected person has to deal with painful and open blisters on their skin. Some of those blisters tend to be on genitals, which means any kind of sexual contact should be avoided. This way, you’ll protect your partner from getting infected.
Pay Attention to Your Immune System
Herpes does not always recur, and if it does, it is most likely to recur in the first year after infection. It depends on the person and their immune system. Individuals with weak immune systems are prone to these nasty outbreaks. So, if you want to keep it dormant, you should do whatever you can to live a healthy life. This means you have to eat quality food with lots of fruit and exercise regularly.
Personal Hygiene Is Very Important During Outbreaks
When sores appear, it is important to shower at least two times a day. Also, you should do your best to keep the area with blisters clean and dry. When the sores are open you should wash them with soap, because that way you’ll kill some of the viral fluid and help your skin heal.
Use Preventative Measures When Sleeping With a Partner
If you think that you can’t have a normal sexual relationship with your partner without infecting them, well, you’re wrong. There are various suppressants and drugs that can be used to help you reduce the risk of infecting the partner. However, you should still avoid any kind of intimate contact during outbreaks. Also, you must use protection during both oral and vaginal sex. Living with herpes is not easy, but these tips will help you have a pleasant and fulfilling life.
