How Do I Talk With People About Having Herpes
It might feel scary to admit you have herpes, but talking about things can really ease your mind. You could lean on a close, non-judgmental friend that you trust to keep the conversation private. Parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and other family members can also be a source of comfort. Remember, herpes is really common, so its possible the person youre talking to has herpes, too.
There are a lot of online support groups for people who have herpes, and the American Sexual Health Association has a list of support groups that meet in person.
Talk To Your Doctor About Antiviral Medications
There are two brands of antiviral medications available to treat herpes. Either can be used to take daily as a suppressive therapy or episodically when there is an outbreak. Discuss with your doctor how often you are experiencing outbreaks and your symptoms. Together you can decide which, if any, medication is best for you.
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Is There Any Resistance To Genital Herpes Medication
Resistance to drugs that treat genital herpes even after 20 years of use is very rare. Herpes medications may not work as well in patients who are very immunosuppressed and have been treated with these drugs for a long time. Each individuals response to treatment may vary. In some cases, patients may need more drugs to suppress their viral outbreaks than others.
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What Happens If I Dont Receive Treatment
Genital herpes can cause painful genital sores and can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems.
If you touch your sores or fluids from the sores, you may transfer herpes to another body part like your eyes. Do not touch the sores or fluids to avoid spreading herpes to another part of your body. If you do touch the sores or fluids, quickly wash your hands thoroughly to help avoid spreading the infection.
If you are pregnant, there can be problems for you and your unborn fetus, or newborn baby. See Im pregnant. How could genital herpes affect my baby? for information about this.
What About Diet And Herpes
It’s important to look after yourself when managing herpes. A healthy diet is certainly part of that.
Some people with herpes have found that avoiding foods high in the amino acid Arginine, may reduce recurrences. Higher levels of Arginine are found in foods such as chocolate and many types of nuts. Excessive coffee , red wine and smoking are also triggers for some people. Of course, when anything is done in excess it can be detrimental to our health, but it’s important not to get into majorly restrictive eating. Some people have problematic symptoms even when they seem to be doing all the right things – so don’t beat yourself up.
Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle makes a difference, but only to a degree. The virus reacts differently in different people’s bodies and some people, even with a great deal of attention to wellbeing, continue to have more recurrences than other people. You may want to consult with a registered dietician, nutritionist or naturopath to ensure that you are maintaining a healthy diet.
When it comes to complementary medicines, Lysine is the most commonly mentioned in relation to treating the herpes simplex virus. Lysine is one of the essential amino acids that the body uses to build proteins. While many people living with herpes find taking Lysine helpful, the consensus in the scientific community is that Lysine supplements do not contribute to reducing the number of recurrences of genital herpes.
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Diet For Healthy Weight To Prevent Herpes Flare
A research study claims that obesity can work as a trigger for patients who are suffering from this infection. So check your BMI often and if you notice that youre in the overweight or obese category, try to maintain a healthy weight by watching your calorie intake and eating healthy meals that are high in protein and fiber. For high-protein and high-fiber meals, add lentils, eggs, milk, milk products, lean meat and all colourful fruits and vegetables in your diet.
How Will My Healthcare Provider Know If I Have Genital Herpes
Your healthcare provider may diagnose genital herpes by simply looking at any sores that are present. Providers can also take a sample from the sore and test it. If sores are not present, a blood test may be used to look for HSV antibodies.
Have an honest and open talk with your healthcare provider about herpes testing and other STDs.
Please note: A herpes blood test can help determine if you have herpes infection. It cannot tell you who gave you the infection or when you got the infection.
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Genital Herpes And Pregnancy
It is important to avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy. A first episode during pregnancy can create a greater risk of transmission to a newborn.
Fortunately, it is rare for women with genital herpes to infect their babies. If you know that you have genital herpes before becoming pregnant, your physician will monitor your condition throughout your pregnancy. If you have an active outbreak at the time of delivery, a C-section may be recommended. Depending on individual diagnosis, though, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorses suppressive therapy to reduce the frequency of C-section.
What Not To Eat When You Have Shingles Topic Guide
I’ve been out of work for three days already, and today I was just diagnosed with shingles. Ive got a treatment regimen with medication from the doctor, but I need to go back to work. I don’t get paid sick leave. What else can I do to get rid of shingles fast? For instance, is there a special diet? What are foods to avoid with shingles?
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Foodsto Avoid During A Herpes Outbreak
In addition,there are a number of foods that people should avoid as well. The virusrequires certain amino acids in order to replicate and build other copies ofthe virus. Specifically, the amino acid arginine has been implicated in thespread of Herpes Simplex Virus. Therefore, people should try to avoidfoods that are high in this amino acid such as rice, peanuts, and chocolate. Onthe other hand, the amino acid lysine has been shown to reduce the severity ofa Herpes Simplex Virus infection. Some people even recommend taking lysinesupplements to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks.
Is Genital Herpes Related To Shingles
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella zoster virus , which causes chickenpox earlier in life. The natural history of varicella zoster infection is similar to genital herpes infection in that VZV also becomes latent in the sensory nerve roots. Later in life the virus may exit, causing shingles.
Recurrences in shingles cause blister lesions in a single area of skin called a dermatome. Shingles is not a sexually transmitted infection and is independent from genital herpes.
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Breakfast Foods To Keep Herpes At Bay
Although there’s no cure for herpes once you contract the virus, you may be able to manage outbreaks with lifestyle and dietary changes. Stress, for example, can trigger a flare-up of cold sores or genital blisters, and learning stress-management techniques may help with prevention. Food choices, too, can work in your favor, so start your day with a healthful breakfast with a good ratio of essential amino acids to help manage herpes. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to deal with your condition â don’t attempt to self-treat through diet.
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What You Can Eat
If you’re avoiding foods that may cause herpes outbreaks, that doesnt mean a boring diet. Many nutritious and delicious whole foods, such as grass-fed beef, fish, poultry, dairy products, beans, eggs and most brightly colored fruits and vegetables, have a high ratio of lysine to arginine and should make up the bulk of your meals. Picozzi also cites the benefits of foods like mushrooms, sea vegetables and garlic for managing herpes outbreaks naturally.
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What Can I Do If I Have Herpes Simplex 2
Many people who find out they have herpes feel depressed knowing they’ll always have the virus and can give it to others. But you arent alone. Herpes is one of the most common STIs, both in the U.S. and worldwide. If you have herpes, you should:
- Learn all you can about it. Information will help you to manage your disease and feel better about yourself.
- Talk about your illness with your doctor.
If you have herpes, you can still:
- Have sex if you use a condom or dental dam , and you tell your partner about your illness. Some couples, who have sexual relations only with each other, may choose not to use condoms even though one partner has herpes. Because each situation is different, you should ask your doctor if this is the right choice for you in your relationship.
- Have children. People with herpes can still give birth to healthy babies. If you have herpes and plan to have children, discuss your illness with your healthcare provider.
If you have herpes, you should also get checked for HIV and other STIs .
Foods To Avoid: High Arginine
The amino acid arginine feeds the herpes virus while lysine impedes it, according to integrative medicine practitioner Dr. Deborah Gordon on her website. The two compete for absorption, so keeping them in balance or choosing foods with more lysine than arginine can help your body resist the virus, says Gordon. Many favorite breakfast foods â such as cooked and ready-to-eat cereals, orange juice and nut butters â are high in arginine while simultaneously being low in lysine, so your morning meal will take some rethinking. Gordon advises you to avoid cereal, cream of wheat, oatmeal, white or whole-wheat toast and sugary breakfast items like muffins and pastries. Sugary processed foods can suppress the immune system, triggering herpes outbreaks.
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Additional Dietary Tips For Herpes
1. Eat Foods Good for Skin
- Wholegrain cereals
2. Eat Plenty of Cruciferous Vegetables
There are plenty of foods to avoid with herpes but cruciferous vegetables are not one of them. High in indole-3-carbinol , foods with this compound may hinder the virus by interfering with its reproduction. Studies are showing significant evidence supporting this finding. Foods include:
3. Eat Stress-Relieving Foods
Research has found that stress weakens the bodys immune system, making it more susceptible to illness. It is important to de-stress and relax whenever possible. Certain foods and nutrients can help your body fight tension and anxiety, thus warding off a herpes outbreak. Foods and drinks high in vitamin B and magnesium can help your body bounce back from stressful situations quicker. If you decide to take a supplement, make sure it is in the form of a vitamin B complex so you keep the nutrients in balance. The complex includes B1, B2, B6, B9 and B12. They help your body produce serotonin, which is the hormone that relaxes you and puts you at ease. Foods that can help you de-stress include:
- Green leafy vegetables
4. Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods
5. Drink Purified and Alkaline Water
Home Remedies For Herpes
Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus . Though the sexually transmitted infection may first spring to mind, it is caused by the type-2 version of the virus. The type-1 version causes cold sores, also known as fever blisters. Though neither type of HSV is curable, both are highly manageable with prescription medication and home remedies.
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How Is Genital Herpes Spread
- Saliva from a partner with an oral herpes infection
- Genital fluids from a partner with a genital herpes infection
- Skin in the oral area of a partner with oral herpes or
- Skin in the genital area of a partner with genital herpes.
You also can get genital herpes from a sex partner who does not have a visible sore or is unaware of their infection. It is also possible to get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a partner with oral herpes.
You will not get herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools. You also will not get it from touching objects, such as silverware, soap, or towels.
If you have more questions about herpes, consider discussing your concerns with a healthcare provider.
I Had Lesions When I Was Evaluated But My Culture Was Negative Does This Mean That I Dont Have Herpes
Not necessarily. Although lesions can be caused by something other than herpes, false negative herpes tests can occur if the samples are not taken appropriately, if there is a long transport time between the clinic and the laboratory, or if cultures were taken late in the course of the lesions. Lesions that occur early in the course of a herpes outbreak are much more likely to have positive cultures than cultures taken after the lesions crust over.
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What Causes Cold Sores
The herpes simplex virus type 1 causes cold sores. This is a different from herpes simplex virus type 2 . HSV-2 causes lesions in the genital area called genital herpes. Even though HSV-1 typically causes sores around the mouth and HSV-2 causes genital sores, these viruses can cause sores in either place.
How Is Herpes Simplex Treated
Some people have few to no herpes outbreaks and choose not to have treatment. But many people prefer to use medications that shorten outbreaks and reduce symptoms.
During an outbreak, you may use an antiviral ointment or cream to help lessen your symptoms and help them go away faster, but it only works if you start it soon after you start an outbreak. Many people with HSV-2 take daily oral medications to keep outbreaks at bay.
Your provider may prescribe a topical medication or oral medication such as:
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Best And Worst Foods For Herpes
Beverly Meyer, Clinical Nutritionist, MBA
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As I write and speak about in this post and Podcast on Herpes or Shingles, the ratio of the amino acids Arginine to Lysine is the key. Arginine feeds all Herpes viruses . Arginine is balanced by Lysine. Reducing high Arginine foods, handling your stress, and taking a small dose of Lysine daily can be a big help. I also take a few Monolaurin every week as a preventative. My Olive Leaf is whole leaf I take it daily.
A Diet High In Lysine
Clinical studies and research suggest a possibility that a diet high in lysine may have the potential to control herpes outbreaks.
Herpesyl is a 100% natural blend that targets and eliminates herpes virus in the body.
Positive Singles is a safe, supportive community to meet others with HSV! Dating profiles, blogs, support groups, and active discussion. Avoid the awkward herpes talk.
L-Lysine is an amino acid that may cut the occurrence, severity, and duration of herpes outbreaks. Why? Well, it has to do with another amino acid: Arginine.
Back in the 60s, researchers showed that elevated arginine levels in the human diet made herpes outbreaks worse. It turns out the herpes virus needs arginine to replicate .
So what does lysine have to do with it? Simple. Lysine and arginine compete for absorption in the body .
The idea is that you want to consume more lysine in your diet than arginine. Then youve taken a step to reduce the amount of herpes virus that replicates in your system. Once the reproduction of herpes simplex virus is stopped or minimized, it could reduce the duration and frequency of a herpes outbreak.
There is no clinical data proving the effectiveness of dietary lysine for herpes in humans, only small preliminary studies on lysine supplements. Still, it remains a popular and well-known diet change for various types of HSV.
Here are some lysine-rich foods:
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How Long Do Sores From Herpes Simplex Last
If youre infected with HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes, you may notice tingling or burning around your mouth in the days before a cold sore appears. These blisters break open and ooze fluid before forming a crust. Usually, sores last for seven to 10 days.
If youre infected with HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes, your first outbreak may last between two to four weeks. Recurrent outbreaks usually last between three to seven days.
Diet High In Lysine And Low In Arginine
In previous sessions I told you about the relationship between herpes and lysine and also between herpes and arginine.
You already know that lysine intake helps to prevent herpes outbreaks and arginine intake contributes to their appearance and increases their intensity and duration.
For this reason, your diet should be rich in lysine and poor in arginine.
You will achieve this purpose if you consume foods high in lysine and low in arginine such as milk and its derivatives.
A classic combination is to eat brown rice with cooked dried beans. While brown rice is rich in arginine, dried beans contain an excess of lysine that overcomes the lack of this amino acid in brown rice.
Popcorn contains more arginine than lysine, but people infected with the herpes virus can enjoy popcorn if they sprinkle it with nutritional yeast that adds a cheesy flavor.
Arginine is neutralized because one tablespoon of nutritional yeast contains 190 mg more lysine than arginine.
Fish, meats and dairy products are rich in lysine. However, eating too much of these protein-rich foods can raise your bodys acidity and cause a herpes outbreak. Moderation is the key.
If you cant get the foods you like to make up a diet high in lysine and low in arginine, you can use a lysine supplement.
Lysine supplement.
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