How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Herpes Simplex
Preventing HSV-1
You can reduce your risk of contracting HSV-1 by avoiding physical contact with someone who has a cold sore. People can still spread HSV-1 when cold sores arent present, but its less likely.
If someone has an active HSV-1 infection, avoid:
- Sharing utensils, cups, lip balms or other personal care products.
- Touching the skin near their mouth.
Preventing HSV-2
If youre sexually active, you can take these steps to protect yourself and others from the herpes virus and other STIs:
- Be monogamous with one sexual partner or limit your number of partners.
- Get tested for STIs and complete any prescribed treatment.
- Tell your sexual partners if you have genital herpes so they can get tested.
- Use condoms during intercourse and dental dams during oral sex.
Wash your hands often if you have an outbreak or are around someone with symptoms.
If your sexual partner has genital herpes, these actions can lower your risk of getting the virus:
- Dont have sex when your partner has active symptoms. Condoms may not cover all sores, so you may still get the virus.
- Make sure your partner takes antiviral medication as prescribed.
- Wait to have sex until scabs fall off active lesions.
How Common Is Herpes Esophagitis
Infectious esophagitis is a relatively rare condition. The vast majority of cases of esophagitis are caused by non-infectious conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease . Infectious esophagitis is so uncommon that scientists dont make estimates about its prevalence in the general population.
Research suggests that the vast majority of infectious esophagitis cases are caused by Candida species . Herpes infection and cytomegalovirus infection make up most of the rest. However, esophagitis can also be caused by other bacterial and viral infections, including HIV.
Recommended Reading: Can Acyclovir Cream Be Used For Genital Herpes
How Is It Treated
Genital herpes can be treated, but it cannot be cured.Anti-viral medicines can make outbreaks:
Living with genital herpes causes some people to:
- Feel embarrassed or ashamed
- Worry about infecting a sexual partner
- Worry that having herpes will affect relationships with sexual partners
- Avoid dating or sexual relationships
Most people with herpes are able to live with the virusand manage their outbreaks. Talking to trusted healthcare providers and friends can help. Your health careprovider can talk to you about medicines that treatoutbreaks and about ways to reduce the chance ofpassing the virus on to a sexual partner.
Medicines can help lower the chance that you will pass the virus to others.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Herpes Out Of Your Body
Also Check: How Do You Date If You Have Herpes
Tips For Preventing Oral Herpes
Oral herpes is very contagious and its nearly impossible to prevent exposure.Exposure is very common for most people by the time they reach adulthood.
To prevent herpes sores recurrence, you can keep the area around your mouth clean and dry and take antiviral medications at the first sign of a flare-up.
Many people feel a tingling or burning sensation before a sore develops, which is when they can begin taking an antiviral medication.
Over-the-counter topical medications are also available to lessen the severity and duration of symptoms.
In this article
When To Call The Doctor
Even though HSV sores can hurt and be unsightly, most cases of herpes do not cause serious illness. The sores go away in a few days. Contact the health provider if:
- Sores are present and you think it might be a first herpes infection. The diagnosis is usually made by examining the sores. If the sores have not healed, sometimes a laboratory test is done.
- Sores do not heal by themselves or show signs of infection such as pus, spreading redness or fever.
- Sores are near the eyes.
- You have another health condition with a weakened immune system.
Recommended Reading: Can You Test Positive For Herpes Without An Outbreak
Causes Of Herpes On Hands
Lesions on hands may be caused by both a bacteria and a virus. Herpes on hands occur due to an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus . This is a virus known to cause cold sores as well as genital herpes. Both herpes simplex virus-I and II are a culprit in causing herpetic whitlow infection on hands. It is easy for doctors to misdiagnose the presence of lesions on hands. For example, bacteria whitlow is mostly caused by bacteria while herpetic whitlow is caused by herpes simplex virus. Both infections require different treatment approaches.
According to a case report presented by Dr. Peter Gathier, it indicated that most whitlow cases usually arise from a bacterial infections, but in rare cases, pathogens like herpes may also be responsible.
HSV-I infections commonly occur around a persons mouth, lips, face, or nose while HSV-II infections are mainly seen in areas around an individuals genitals. Herpes infection on hands can occur from both types of HSV. Herpes infection in general can occur in women and men of all ages, but HSV-I is mostly common in kids and young adults.
Home Remedies For Herpes Treatment
Herpes is an infection, caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is a very itchy and painful problem, generally seen in both men and women. It appears in the form of small red, swelled and liquid-filled blisters or sores near eyes, mouth, lips, and genitals. But can you treat herpes at home? Well, yes! Here are some easy and quick natural remedies for a herpes treatment. Take a look.
Recommended Reading: How Contagious Is Herpes 1
Don’t Miss: How Does Herpes Turn Into Hiv
When To Seek Medical Care
When to call the doctor
- Because the sores are painful, you may have difficulty eating or drinking. To prevent dehydration, call your doctor as soon as you cannot eat or drink.
- Call your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms, which suggest dehydration, occur:
- A decrease in urination
When to go to the hospital
Signs and symptoms of dehydration may warrant going to a hospital’s emergency department.
How Do You Treat Herpes On The Tongue
Oral herpes on the tongue will go away on its own, but having said that, the sores can be quite painful and irritating.
Consulting a physician should be the first step towards treatment. Providers usually prescribe a topical anesthetic to relieve pain and may recommend additional medications depending on the severity of the herpes sores symptoms. However, there are some at-home practices to treat herpes sores on your tongue.
These remedies dont rely on having to go to the doctor, but your symptoms may not necessarily be tongue herpes, and you might be trying to treat the wrong disease. Therefore, its always recommended to consult a doctor. Home remedies can work well if youre treating a recurrence.
Heres a summary of how you can treat this:
Recommended Reading: How Does Someone Get Herpes
Also Check: How Can You Get Tested For Herpes
Treatment Of Cold Sores
Currently, there are no cures or vaccines for cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus . Frequent hand washing will help reduce the spread of the virus to other parts of the body or to other people. Also, applying cool, moist compresses to the lesion may decrease pain and keep the lesion from drying and cracking.
- Many people acquire the virus and have no symptoms or signs.
- For others, painful fluid-filled small blisters appear near the area where the virus entered the body.
- Typically, the blisters heal completely but may reappear at some point in the future.
- In between attacks, the virus resides deep in the roots of the nerves of the involved area.
- When herpes simplex flare-ups appear in their most common location, around the mouth, chin, and upper lip, people often refer to them as “cold sores” or “fever blisters.”
- Oral herpes may cause ulcers, fluid-filled blisters, or sores anywhere inside the mouth, including the gums and the tongue.
- It may also cause sores inside the nose and around the nostrils. Herpes may also affect the eye.
What Does Herpes On The Tongue Look Like
The infection may manifest starting with small, shallow, gray-colored ulcers with a red base. Thereafter, they turn into crusted, scabbed, dry and yellow blisters. For some serious cases, a grayish coating on the tonsils may appear and the patient may also experience a sore throat with shallow ulcers.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Herpes At Home
Recommended Reading: Will The Shingles Vaccine Help With Genital Herpes
Over The Counter Medications For Cold Sores And Fever Blisters
- Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.
- Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.
- OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.
example:L-Lysine®
Also Check: How Many Mg Of Lysine For 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:
You May Like: Can Herpes Cause Back Pain
Signs And Symptoms Of Herpes
Both kinds of herpes cause outbreaks of painful sores on the skin. Symptoms of herpes include:
Oral herpes sores
Sometimes called cold sores, HSV-1 produces painful sores that look like blisters at first. They eventually burst and crust over. It usually takes a week to 10 days for the sores to clear up.
Genital herpes sores
The sores that appear in the genital area can come from HSV-1 or HSV-2. Like the sores on the mouth, they start as painful blisters, then dry up and heal over time.
Other sores
Although they usually show up around the mouth or genitals, herpes sores can appear anywhere on the body.
Flu-like symptoms
During a herpes outbreak, you might feel other symptoms such as fever, tiredness, or body aches.
Not all people who have herpes have frequent outbreaks. Some people might have a single outbreak then never show symptoms again. The virus may stay dormant in their body.
Could You Refer To The Cure For Herpes In Your Case
Suspecting I was infected, I sought help from Dr. Ken Languin and so began the research that led to HSV Eraser a herpes treatment that eliminates the virus from our bodies.
The first major outcome of our research was the discovery that a certain combination of chemicals is able to separate the protein makes the virus resistant to the action of the immune system.
The other important outcome was if we strengthen the immune system, it can eliminate the virus from our body, if we are able to separate the protein that protects the virus.
Don’t Miss: Can I Get Tested For Herpes Without An Outbreak
Why Is It Difficult To Cure Herpes
Herpes behaves in a specific way in the body, which is why it is hard to cure. You can certainly try suppressive therapy to prevent outbreaks or try ways to reduce the pain associated with an outbreak, but you cannot cure it completely. The problem is that the virus that causes herpes hides out in the cells of your nervous system when it is not active. Even during outbreaks, the infection is latent and is not visible to drugs and the immune system. When the virus is active, you can use some treatment options to reduce its severity, but there is no way to target the virus that remains hidden in the cells. That is why there is still no cure available for herpes.
Improve Your Sleep Habits
Sleep is one of your most valuable defenses against disease. Rest doesnt just refresh your mind, it recharges your immune system as well.
Stop fatigue from zapping your immune system and making you vulnerable to cold sore outbreaks with these tips:
- – Create a soothing sleep environment
- – Reduce technology and blue light before bedtime
- – Develop a consistent evening routine to wind down
- – Get regular exercise during the day
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Herpes At Home
So How Should I Treat Oral Herpes
Antiviral pills are your best choice for treating oral herpes. They are more reasonably priced and are effective. Antiviral therapy can quickly heal lesions if the medications are used in the first 72 hours after a lesion appears.
If you have persistent oral herpes infections, taking 1 of these 3 antiviral medications at the very start of a herpes outbreak is your best chance to relieve pain and shorten the outbreak:
-
2000 mg twice in 24 hours shortens healing time and duration of pain.
-
1500 mg , taken at once, also shortens healing time and pain duration.
-
400 mg 5 times a day for 5 days reduces pain duration but doesnt shorten healing time.
How To Cope After Diagnosis
Many posters were occupied with the issue of passing on the infection. Yolandayw points out that you can minimise the risk of transmission by postponing sex until all the sores have healed. She also mentioned that condoms should be used. They wont completely prevent transmission but they will help.
Ending on a positive note, many posters emphasised that there was light at the end of the tunnel. Learning of the diagnosis may feel stressful at first, but its a manageable condition and certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Lucy03934 has had genital herpes for 25 years. Shes been married for 18 years and has two sons living proof that there is life after herpes.
Don’t Miss: What Medicine Is Prescribed For Genital Herpes
Where Does It Occur
Herpes in the mouth is located mostly on the lips or near the mouth. However, sores may also appear elsewhere on the face, tongue, or gums. Make sure to practice good hygiene and avoid touching the sores or picking at scabs when sores are healing to prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of your body.
What Types Of Herpes Can Be Cured With Hsv Rapid Remedy
The types of herpes depend on the criteria you choose. It is common to use the causative virus to differentiate one type of herpes from another.
It is also common to establish herpes types by the part of the body affected by the disease. The best known types by this criterion are cold sores and genital herpes.
There is a relationship between the part of the body that herpes affects and the virus that causes the disease. Herpes that affects the genitals is primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 and herpes simplex virus type 1 causes the disease most often in the upper parts of the body.
Treatment works against all herpes of these types it is a permanent cure for genital herpes, which affects thousands of people.
I would now like you to refer to the results that have been achieved with the treatment in the patients who have used it.
Read Also: How To Ease Herpes Pain
Don’t Miss: How To Avoid An Outbreak Herpes
Are There Treatments And Medications For Oral Herpes
Treatment includes medication for fever and taking plenty of fluids.
- A topical anesthetic such as viscous lidocaine may be prescribed to relieve pain associated with oral blisters and lesions.
- Oral or IV medication does exist for HSV but is not recommended for people with a normal immune system. It is used only for people with weakened immune systems, infants younger than 6 weeks of age, or people with severe disease.
- Some people may require hospital admission.
- Those with severe local infection
- People whose infection has spread to other organ systems
- People with weakened immune systems
- Dehydrated individuals who need IV hydration
- Infants younger than 6 weeks of age
Mild uncomplicated eruptions of herpes simplex require no treatment. Severe infection may require treatment with an antiviral agent. Oral antiviral drugs include
To reduce the chance of acquiring HSV-1, avoid touching saliva, skin, or mucous membranes of people who have HSV-1 lesions. Prevention of genital HSV may be accomplished by latex condoms, but protection is never 100%. Spermicides do not protect against HSV. Some clinicians recommend using dental dams during oral sex, but like condoms, they are not 100% protective.
Also Check: Can Herpes Make You Sick
Which Specialist Treats Herpes
Usually it will be a dermatologist who will detect the symptoms of oral herpes sores in the patient and who will analyse the wounds. In cases of genital herpes, a gynaecologist or urologist may be the one to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment. If you are worried about possible symptoms of herpes, you can also visit your nearest sexual health clinic.
You May Like: Which Virus Causes Genital Herpes
Why Is A Definitive Cure For Herpes Difficult
There are two vaccines for treating shingles, but there are no conventional medical treatments to cure herpes simplex.
This disease is caused by an easily spread virus that is transmitted by contact between two people and between different parts of the same persons body.
The virus encodes specific proteins that mimic interleukin by this method it evades the immune system response.
Interleukin is a protein that is found naturally in the human body as the main means of communication between cells when a microbial invasion occurs.
Another method the herpes virus uses to avoid detection by the immune system is through the downward regulation of the Major Histocompatibility Complex II in infected cells.
This complex is made up of a family of genes that are fundamental in activating the immune system against invasion by pathogenic organisms.
Due to the regulation of MHC II by the virus in the infected cells, immune response to fight it are not activated and therefore the virus spreads rapidly through healthy tissue.
In short, a permanent cure for herpes is difficult because the virus that causes the disease has been able to evade the action of our bodys immune system.