Articles Ongenital Herpes Treatment
Scientists have studied alternative treatments, like herbal extracts and nutritional supplements, based on some genital herpes patients claims that they help relieve symptoms. Some study results have been promising, others discouraging.
Many people say that an extract of the echinacea plant helps boost the immune systems ability to fight the genital herpes infection. Some say it decreases the frequency and severity of genital herpes outbreaks. Researchers in the U.K. compared the effect of echinacea with that of a placebo. They gave echinacea to 50 people with genital herpes for six months and a placebo for another six months. There was no significant difference in the number of herpes outbreaks during the two periods.
Another study showed that an ointment containing propolis, a waxy substance that honeybees make, may help genital herpes sores heal. Sores healed faster for people using the propolis ointment than in those using ointments containing the antiviral drug acyclovir or a placebo. The ointment was applied to herpes sores four times a day. After 10 days, 24 of the 30 people using propolis ointment said their sores healed, compared with 14 of the 30 people using acyclovir ointment and 12 of the 30 using a placebo.
Researchers have also found that the herb Prunella vulgaris, and an edible mushroom, Rozites caperata , contain chemicals that fight both the oral herpes virus and the genital herpes virus .
How To Treat Genital Herpes
There is no cure for genital herpes. It lays dormant in the body for long periods, then reappears as an outbreak of sores.
However, doctors can prescribe medications that reduce the likelihood of recurring outbreaks. These medicines may also lower the risk of transmitting the virus.
When a person has a genital herpes outbreak, they may be able to promote healing and lower the risk of transmitting the virus by:
- avoiding sexual contact with another person until the sores have healed
- keeping the sores clean and dry
- refraining from touching the sores whenever possible
- washing the hands immediately after touching the sores
- using barrier protection during sexual contact until told otherwise by a doctor
The first herpes outbreak is usually the worst subsequent outbreaks tend to become less bothersome.
Genital herpes does not typically cause serious health complications. However, it can make a person more vulnerable to contracting HIV.
If a person has genital herpes sores, viruses and bacteria, including HIV, have more opportunity to enter the body. Avoid scratching the sores, as this can lead to bacterial infection.
Also, having HIV can make genital herpes outbreaks more severe.
Epsom Salt For Herpes
Image: Shutterstock
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this twice a day.
Why This Works
This is one of the best home remedies for herpes that works well for genitals. The salt soak will soothe the itching and pain caused by the sores . It will also dry out the sores because of its hygroscopic nature .
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How Effective Is Herpes Medication
Antiviral herpes medication will not cure oral or genital herpes infections. However, suppressive therapy significantly ameliorates its symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that this treatment can reduce genital herpes outbreaks by 70%-80% in patients that frequently experience them.
Herpecillin & Herpecillin Plus
Herpecillin and Herpecillin Plus are the only two-in-one supplements in this lineup: you take both supplements simultaneously to help protect your body against HSV-1, cold sores, fever, blisters, and other infection symptoms.
Vitamin C, L-lysine, zinc, astragalus , and Momordica charantia fruit are among the ingredients used in these extra-strong supplements. With the first signs of an outbreak, you should take one serving of each supplement. The supplier promotes it as a 100 % advanced and helpful way to defend your body against herpes, using all-natural components.
Herpecillin and Herpecillin Plus are herpes supplements with unique ingredients not found elsewhere on this list. Other than fighting off the vicious symptoms of herpes, these supplements might also very well help you manage virus symptoms.
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The Process Of Rating The Best Herpes Supplements
Each herpes supplement states to help your body shield itself against the herpes simplex virus. Several of these supplements are sincere, while others are frauds.
Our editors and writers did thorough research and used the following indicators to distinguish between the best and worst herpes supplements available on the market and ready for you to use.
How Does Herpes Simplex Spread
Herpes spreads through close contact with a person who has the infection. The virus can be found in skin and saliva. If you have herpes simplex, you are most likely to pass the virus to another person when you have sores. But you can infect someone else even if you have no symptoms. Healthcare providers call this asymptomatic viral shedding.
People may get HSV-1 through
- Touching a persons skin near the mouth.
- Sharing food utensils, lip balm or razors.
- If you receive oral sex from someone who has a cold sore, it may spread a herpes infection to your genitals.
People may get HSV-2 through
- Oral sex with someone whos infected.
- Touching open sores, including while breastfeeding.
- Childbirth by a mother or gestational parent who has an active infection.
You cant get genital herpes from objects like toilet seats. But you could pass genital herpes through shared sex toys.
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Best For Skin Barrier: Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly
- Price: $3.2917.70
- Pros: available in a range of sizes, suitable for sensitive skin
- Cons: reports of product hygiene issues from online sellers
A person can purchase Vaseline online through Amazon.
Vaseline states it is hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive, dry skin.
It also claims that its product helps seal in moisture, which may help the skin heal naturally. Additionally, petroleum jelly creates a barrier between the skin and outside elements.
This Vaseline product may be best suited to people with cold sores.
Vaseline costs between $3.2917.70, depending on the tub size.
Pros: suitable for smaller budgets, high volume per bottle, third-party testedCons: limited research into the effectiveness of L-lysine for herpes
These caplets are suitable for vegetarians and free of allergens such as yeast, wheat, gluten, milk, and lactose. They are also free of sugar.
CVS Pharmacy claims these caplets may help support healthy skin, collagen production, and tissue maintenance.
CVS states it requires third-party testing for all supplements.
The company recommends taking one caplet a day on an empty stomach. Each pill contains 1,000 mg of L-lysine.
CVS Pharmacy L-Lysin Caplets cost $11.29.
The Best Herpes Prevention Supplements For 2021 Conclusion
Herpes has no known treatment, and that is that. You can, however, help your bodys immune system by taking the right herpes supplements prescribed by your doctor. There are various price ranges, so you have the option to choose what is best suited for you and your budget.
Although this viral infection may cause excruciating pain if not treated properly, these supplements are here to help lessen the burden caused by this pesky infection.
As medicine advances throughout the years, some even better options may occur in the future, but these supplements are top-shelf for now!
Be responsible towards yourself and others, and check out some of the guides we mentioned so you dont end up feeling lost and distressed while battling herpes.
Go on routine checkups and follow your doctors advice.
Even though this viral infection is permanent, it wont prevent you from having an everyday life. The difference on whether or not this will be a difficult journey for you to go through is the precaution measures you would take.
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Home Remedies For Hsv
Herpes is not a curable disease, but it is treatable.
There are many ways to lessen the severity and frequency of herpes flare-ups, including home remedies that can be used alongside prescription medications.
While most people who have herpes do not experience symptoms at all, others experience one initial outbreak, and others have recurrent outbreaks with painful sores, blisters, or lesions, most often on the mouth or genitals.
For these patients, the goal of treatment is to reduce discomfort, support the healing process, hasten remission, and reduce the frequency of future outbreaks.
In this article, Ill explore how home remedies can help accomplish these treatment goals.
Ill explain the difference between oral and genital herpes, and review the most common symptoms.
Ill go over the major dos and donts for herpes outbreaks.
Then Ill review the latest recommendations around home remedies for herpes, including dietary changes, and Ill explain how these home remedies can be used alongside other treatment options.
Ill discuss steps you can take at home to prevent herpes from flaring up and spreading.
And Ill tell you when to see a doctor about herpes.
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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Can I Use It When Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Use this drug with caution if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Use during pregnancy and during breastfeeding is indicated only in cases where the intended benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus and child. There have been no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies on the safety of the drug during pregnancy. Post-marketing studies have shown that the use of acyclovir in women during pregnancy does not lead to an increase in the number of birth defects in newborns. Animal studies have not revealed embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of the drug. In experimental studies on animals when the drug was administered subcutaneously in high doses, fetal developmental defects were revealed. The medicine is found in breast milk after the systemic use of the drug by a nursing mother.
Why Use Herbs To Fight Viruses
Unlike prescription medicines, whose list of potential side effects are often longer than their list of benefits, antiviral herbs often have little to no side effects. These herbs can be traced back to as early as Ancient Egypt and China, where they were also used as natural remedies.
Many, like licorice root, are also so effective that they are being considered for use as broad-spectrum, non-prescription antivirals .
By sticking with these antiviral herbs, you can stop viruses in their tracks, boost your immune system, and avoid the chemical toxins found in prescription drugs.
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Faqs About Herpes Supplements
We get a lot of inquiries about herpes supplements. Below, well answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the treatment of herpes involving supplements.
Q: What is genital herpes?
A: Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease due to two herpes simplex viruses, herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 .
Q: What is oral herpes?
A: HSV-1 is the most common cause of oral herpes. It causes cold sores and skin irritation around the mouth. Many people have oral herpes but are asymptomatic. The majority of people with oral herpes got it from non-sexual contact with saliva when they were children or young adults.
Q: How are genital and oral herpes linked?
A: Most oral herpes cases are caused by HSV-1, while HSV-2 causes most genital herpes cases. But even so, genital and oral herpes can disperse from the mouth to the genital area via oral sex, which is why some cases of genital herpes are linked to HSV-1.
Q: What is the prevalence of genital herpes?
A: Approximately 1 in every 8 people in the United States between 14 and 49 have genital herpes. This is a relatively high percentage of infected young individuals.
Q: How is genital herpes transmitted?
Q: Is it possible to contract herpes from a toilet seat, hotel bedding, swimming pool, cutlery, or other objects?
A: According to the CDC, you cannot get herpes from toilet seats, bedding, swimming pools, or touching household objects, despite popular belief on this subject.
Q: Can I get rid of herpes?
Treatment For Oral Herpes
The antiviral medications available in pill form have been specifically developed for the treatment of genital herpes. However, it is not uncommon for healthcare providers to prescribe the antiviral drugs to those who have frequent or severe outbreaks of oral herpes.
A recent study found valacyclovir to be effective for treating oral herpes in a one-day treatment of 2 grams taken at the first sign of a cold sore, and then again about 12 hours later.
There are two topical antiviral medications prescribed for the treatment of oral HSV symptoms: acyclovir ointment and penciclovir cream. Both work to speed up the healing process and reduce the viral activity. These topical drugs are put directly on the lesions themselves, but can also be used at the onset of prodrome.
Other topical treatments for oral herpes are available over-the-counter , but are not antiviral compounds like acyclovir and penciclovir. Some also contain ingredients that numb the area and induce temporary relief from the discomfort of an outbreak. Unfortunately, some OTC treatments may actually delay the healing time of symptoms because they can further irritate the area with repeated applications. There is only one OTC FDA-approved cream, called Abreva®, which has been clinically proven to help speed the healing process.
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The Wellbe Takeaway On Natural Virus Killers
Viruses range from pesky to downright deadly, and theyre a bit more complicated to treat than bacteria. However, we do have some concrete knowledge about what kills viruses naturally. Heres what to remember about preventing and treating viral infections without pharmaceuticals:
Have you benefited from natural virus killers? Which ones? Share your experience in the comments below!
Citations:
Compounds Against Hsvs Currently Being Assessed In Clinical Trials
Currently, several new anti-herpetic drugs are being assessed in clinical trials, such as brincidofovir , amenamevir , pritelivir , and nelfinavir mesylate .
Brincidofovir is an acyclic nucleotide phosphonate, similar to cidofovir, yet it is conjugated to a lipid . When brincidofovir enters the cell, the lipid sidechain is cleaved and the compound is phosphorylated, acting as a substrate inhibitor for the viral DNA polymerase. Noteworthy, brincidofovir accumulates within the cell significantly more than cidofovir, and has up to 1,000-fold higher antiviral activity as compared to the latter . Brincidofovir was evaluated in phase III clinical trial that has concluded, yet to our knowledge the results have not been reported .
On the other hand, amenamevir and pritelivir target the viral DNA helicase/primase complex . There are three finished clinical studies for pritelivir, yet similar to brincidofovir, the results have not been reported to the best of our knowledge . There is also one clinical study that is currently ongoing and is in the recruitment phase for immunocompromised subjects with acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection . Amenamevir is an oxadiazolephenyl derivate that belongs to the helicase-primase group of inhibitors and has been evaluated in at least three clinical trials, although the results have not been published . Regretfully, a study indicates that amenamevir displayed adverse events in an early clinical phase against HSV-1 and HSV-2 .
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To Use Buccal Acyclovir Follow These Steps:
If the delayed-release buccal tablet comes off within the first 6 hours of application, reapply the same tablet. If it still will not stick, then apply a new tablet. If you accidentally swallow the tablet within the first 6 hours of application, drink a glass of water and place a new tablet on your gum. If the tablet falls off or is swallowed 6 or more hours after application, do not apply a new tablet until your next regular time.
Home Remedies And Lifestyle
At-home treatments for herpes are used to relieve pain. They do nothing to alter the course of the infection but can make you more comfortable as the herpes sores begin to heal.
There are several things you can do if have an outbreak of oral or genital herpes:
- Use a cold compress. Place a cloth-covered ice pack on the sores for 15 minutes several times daily to reduce pain. Keep the ice pack moving to prevent frostbite.
- Do not touch or scratch. Avoid touching and rubbing the sores. Doing so can spread the infection to other areas of the skin.
- Keep the sores clean. Herpes sores can become infected with bacteria if touched with soiled hands. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the bathroom or before applying medications.
- Reduce stress. Stress can increase your sensitivity to pain during a herpes outbreak. You can reduce stress by performing gentle exercises or practicing mind-body therapies like meditation, yoga, and guided imagery.
To reduce the risk of spreading herpes, avoid kissing and sharing objects that come into contact with saliva, like drinking straws and eating utensils.
Its important to note that oral herpes can be spread to the genitals, and that genital herpes can be spread to the mouth. To reduce the risk of infection, use condoms and dental dams during oral sex. Better yet, avoid sex altogether if you are having an active herpes outbreak .
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