Does genital herpes outbreak go away on it's own or do i have to always take medication?

You will always have herpes but here are a few tips on how to keep it away and if you do have an outbreak how to deal with it.


Try not to worry: worrying is known to affect the immune system and lower our ability to fight infections. The more you know about simplex, the less concerned you will be and since your immune system works best when you are not stressed, by worrying less you will be healthier. (Stress can also be a trigger factor for many other skin conditions, e.g. eczema, psoriasis.)
Get enough sleep and avoid getting overtired. Have an early night every week and pamper yourself a little.
Eat a well balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables every day.
If in doubt about your diet, take a multivitamin and mineral pill.
Taking 200 i.u. of vitamin E every day has been shown to boost the immune response.
Cut down on smoking and excessive alcohol.
Take regular exercise: 20 minutes brisk walk each day is a good start.
Try taking one soluble aspirin each day with food: this has been reported effective by many people. It is not suitable if your stomach is delicate, for children, or if you have been told not to by a doctor.
If the skin gets sore, this may trigger a recurrence. This may be the result of horse riding, bike riding or wearing tight trousers or underwear e.g. thongs.
Sometimes having sex will trigger an outbreak. If this happens, use extra lubrication (KY) during sex and cool the area after sex with cold water or a cool damp flannel.
Wear loose fitting cotton or silk underpants rather than those made with synthetic material.
Women: try stockings or bare legs rather than tights.
Avoid direct sunlight or ultraviolet rays from sunbeds on the site of infection, i.e. no nude sunbathing! If you have cold sores (facial herpes simplex), use a sunblock to protect your skin.
If you prefer the idea of allopathic medicine (that means pills from the doctor) you can take aciclovir. It works in a way 'like a contraceptive pill for the virus' so while you are taking it, the virus cannot multiply properly and form blisters. It can be taken short-term to prevent an outbreak during a special weekend or holiday. It can be taken long-term if you are someone who gets lots of outbreaks. It is now a generic pill (which means any manufacturer can make it and the price has come right down) so the old problem of doctors not wanting to prescibe it long-term because of the price is no longer applicable.
Generally we find that indifference to your herpes simplex is the most effective treatment and the less you think about it the less you see of it.

When an outbreak occurs, take a painkiller, e.g. ibuprofen, paracetamol or soluble aspirin. This reduces pain and inflammation. (Always follow manufacturers' instructions - and don't take aspirin if you have been told not to by a doctor.)
Wash your hands before touching blisters/sores (e.g. when applying medication) as you could introduce bacteria. This could cause an additional infection and delay the healing process.
Apply a local anaesthetic ointment, e.g. Lignagel 2 % or lidocaine 5% ointment (this used to be called lignocaine). These may be used on genital or facial sores. If you need a stronger anaesthetic try Xylocaine 10% spray. Dab on (or spray on) as required to relieve pain, especially before urinating - see below. (These are all available from a pharmacy without a prescription.) Occasionally lignocaine/xylocaine can cause hypersensitivity. If it makes your skin more sore, stop using it and your skin will return to normal.
Keep the sores moist, e.g. apply petroleum jelly/Vaseline.
Keep the area clean: washing gently once a day is sufficient. Many people have found a warm salt water solution (1 teaspoon to 1 pint water) very soothing. Gently bathe the area using cotton wool.
Avoid scented soap and deodorants. It is best not to use wipes, gel or soap in this area, but if you do, use an unscented brand.
Avoid over-washing as this can increase irritation and delay healing.
Dab dry carefully with a tissue after washing or use a hair dryer set at 'cold'.
To reduce itching, keep the area as cool as is practical: try an ice pack well-wrapped in cloth for as long as you like (90 minutes). DO NOT put ice directly on the skin.
Women who experience pain when peeing during a first episode can try peeing while in the bath or shower, or sitting on the edge of the bath and pouring water over the area. This will dilute the urine and ease discomfort. Or pee through a tube or into a bottle to prevent urine coming into contact with the sores. You can put lignocaine/lidocaine BP ointment on the area about 15 minutes before urinating to anaesthetize the area, or use petroleum jelly/Vaseline or Orabase on the sore as a barrier.
Do not over-treat the sores - let the skin heal. Symptoms will heal with or without treatment.

Herpes sores will eventually go away on their own, even with no treatment. There is no permanent cure, so whether or not you treat it the symptoms will likely come and go.

Most people with genital herpes don't take any medication for it at all. Herpes isn't fatal, and it doesn't lead to other diseases, and it doesn't cause infertility, so there is no real NEED to treat it.

There are several reasons why people might WANT to take medication. First, it means that you will have fewer outbreaks, and that the outbreaks won't last as long. Second, it reduces the chances that you spread herpes when no symptoms are present - so it helps you protect your partner. Finally, when a woman with herpes is going to have a baby, the doctor will often put her on antivirals to avoid spreading to the baby during birth.

An outbreak will go away, but it can always return.
The best way to keep it at bay is to get adequate sleep, good diet and not worrying! Stress is one of the things which bring it on rapidly!
Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex virus, which is dormant in most humans, but stress and being run down will make it appear, painfully.
You only need meds when you feel it starting and can do without once it clears up.
When it is active you must abstain from sexual contact with another person, it is very easy to catch!

Outbreaks will go away on their own. Meds are much quicker though. If money is a factor get Acyclovir instead of Valtrex. Acyclovir is waaaay cheaper.