Sleeping aid dangers

Q: I was diagnosed with genital herpes three years ago, and this diagnosis has left me full of emotions.

For fear of scorn and rejection, I cannot disclose this to anyone. I won't ask for a prescription because if I got it filled, anyone who works in the store would know, even the kids they hire after school.

Are there any over-the-counter vitamins I can take to help with the discomfort and pain? I feel tremendous pressure to maintain this secret. The only reason I haven't killed myself is because I have kids. I am afraid I could pass this on to them, so I constantly wash my hands and disinfect the house and car.

A: You are not alone. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans (45 million) is infected with genital herpes. Counseling can sometimes help overcome the emotional strain of this infection.

There are effective antiviral medications to prevent outbreaks or shorten the duration of an attack (Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, February 2008). Your doctor could prescribe acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) or valacyclovir (Valtrex).

You should not worry about the pharmacy where you purchase the medication. Your privacy is protected. If you prefer, though, you could use an online or mail-order pharmacy service.

The virus that causes genital herpes is spread primarily by sexual contact, so you won't infect your children. Of course, during an outbreak, frequent hand-washing is advisable.

Q: I have a history of sleeping problems. I just started taking half an acetaminophen PM tablet (1/4 the adult dose) just before bed. This allows me to sleep through the night. Is this safe?

A: If pain is not an issue, you don't need the acetaminophen. The PM part of the pill is diphenhydramine (DPH). This is the antihistamine found in Benadryl, and it makes people drowsy. At the dose you are using, there should be few, if any, side effects.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them c/o King Features Syndicate, 888 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10019, or via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.org