The present invention provides a topical formulation containing NSAID, particularly diclofenac. The topical formulation is particularly useful for alleviating pain/inflammation associated with infection caused by herpes virus, especially herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Similar relief can be achieved where diclofenac is replaced with another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which includes, without limitation, etodolac, ketorolac, bromfenac, diflunisal, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, suprofen, meclofenamate, mefenamic acid, piroxicam, meloxicam, indomethacin, sulindac, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, and tolmetin. The topical formulation is further characterized by its fast relief on pain and/or inflammation associated with infection caused by herpes virus, i.e., a complete relief in no more than seven (7) days after the application of the topical formulation on skins of patients.