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It is normal to feel upset and distressed as with any new diagnosis of a medical condition. Remember that herpes doesn't discriminate and you don't need to 'blame' yourself for what is actually a very common condition.
Make sure you have a follow up appointment with your doctor a week after your diagnosis. Ensure you are comfortable with the health provider you are using. Your local sexual health clinic are experts in caring for people with herpes and provide free check-ups, resources and counselling support. You may wish to take your partner or someone you trust to your appointment with you.
Inform yourself with accurate, up-to-date information that can be downloaded from the New Zealand Herpes Foundation (NZHF) website. There is also a Herpes Helpline 0508 11 12 13, which is a free service providing education and support (for people in New Zealand only). Use the Herpes Helpline for free advice and counselling to reassure you about how a diagnosis may affect your current or new relationships. Remind yourself that this infection will not affect your fertility, give you cancer or mean that you can't have a healthy, enjoyable sex life. Herpes is not life threatening and does not change who you are as a person. You may find using a support group helpful: reassurance can be gained through discussion with people who have a similar condition, the NZHF can facilitate this process. If you experience anxiety or depressive symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks, your doctor can refer you for professional counselling with your consent.
The first herpes episode is usually the most severe in terms of symptoms. Look after your physical comfort and after a few days you should start to feel symptoms ease.
The following treatments may alleviate the pain and discomfort of genital sores:
Remember, herpes is like any skin condition and can be managed with appropriate treatment.
This website is brought to you by the Sexually Transmitted Infections Education Foundation (STIEF) - an initiative funded by the Ministry of Health through collective District Health Boards (20) to educate New Zealanders about STIs. District Health Boards (DHBs) are responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services in their district.
The medical information in this website is based on the STIEF Guidelines for the Management of Genital Herpes in New Zealand. The New Zealand Ministry of Health supports the use of these clinical guidelines, developed by clinical experts and professional associations to guide clinical care in New Zealand.
The Guidelines are a consensus opinion of the STIEF Professional Advisory Group (PAG). The PAG has representation from nationwide medical, nursing and allied disciplines involved in the management of STIs. The Guidelines are produced by considering available literature, both New Zealand wide and international, and by basing the medical recommendations on the evidence in the literature or reasonable supposition and opinions of medical experts.
Toll Free Phone: 0508 11 12 13
From a Mobile: 09 433 6526
Email: [email protected]
NZ Herpes Foundation
C/- Sexually Transmitted Infections Education Foundation (STIEF)
CPO Box 2437, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140
New Zealand
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