 [ Symptoms ] i had a flu vaccine this season am i protected against swine flu [ Disease ] i do not know why but over the 20+ years i have had it   i have noticed as soon as i change out of my clothing from the day i have this problem i just figured it must have something to do with the area suddenly being exposed to oxygen i have learned to not wear tight jeans during a breakout to avoid agitation i have found it comforting to gently wash the area before bed with just water and a clean washcloth another thing i have done for relief if it is unbearable which my husband came up with is get chamomile tea bags steep 1 in a bowl of hot water lie on a folded towel you do not mind staining or you will make tea on your sheets place the tea bag on the sore re steep and continue until the water is cold it will help and relax you so you can sleep but if the sore is already burst open and the chamomile agitates the skin   discontinue then wear fresh all cotton white briefs underwear to bed during a breakout even if you normally do not and finally the zovirax cream is wonderful   just a little bit a few times a day  or of course following your dr is instructions for dosing  right where the sore is    and do not scratch i do not take the zovirax pills as a preventative anymore they make me feel a bit cruddy so with a mild breakout i just use the cream but if i have swollen glands in my groin andor have that just kicked in the crotch and hit by a truck feeling    i take the pills for 3 days plus the cream of course during a breakout we abstain from sex due to pain anyway but for a while after healed use condoms in 18 years i have not infected my husband best wishes i know life with this illness is a drag but it is manageable & after a while does not seem like the end of the world over time you should go long periods without breakouts stress and lack of rest can bring them on so take good care of you k