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 system’s 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 .
Is There An Over
Yes, but OTC medications are generally less effective in treating herpes than prescription ones. Abreva is an over-the-counter topical drug that many people use to treat cold sores from HSV-1, but not HSV-2. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and Tylenol are OTC drugs that reduce pain and discomfort, but they do not treat herpes directly.
Can Genital Herpes Be Prevented
Practising safe sex is the best way to help prevent genital herpes infection.
It is safest to:
- always use condoms and dental dams, even when there are no sores or blisters present
- avoid sex when there are sores or blisters present you are most infectious at this time
- avoid sex with someone who has any blisters, sores or other symptoms of genital herpes
- avoid oral sex when there is any sign of a cold sore
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Genital Herpes Treatment In Pregnancy
You may be offered antiviral treatment:
- to treat outbreaks in pregnancy
- from 36 weeks to reduce the chance of an outbreak during birth
- from diagnosis until the birth if you first get herpes after 28 weeks of pregnancy
Many women with genital herpes have a vaginal delivery. You may be offered a caesarean, depending on your circumstances.
When Treatments For Genital Herpes Are Given
- Initial treatment. If you have symptoms such as sores when you’re first diagnosed with genital herpes, your doctor will usually give you a brief course of antiviral therapy to relieve them or prevent them from getting worse. Your doctor may keep you on the drugs longer if the sores don’t heal in that time.
After the first treatment, work with your doctor to come up with the best way to take antiviral therapies. There are two options:
- Intermittent treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for you to keep on hand in case you have another flare-up this is called intermittent therapy. You can take the pills for two to five days as soon as you notice sores or when you feel an outbreak coming on. Sores will heal and disappear on their own, but taking the drugs can make the symptoms less severe and make them go away faster.
- Suppressive treatment. If you have outbreaks often, you may want to consider taking an antiviral drug every day. Doctors call this suppressive therapy. For someone who has more than six outbreaks a year, suppressive therapy can reduce the number of outbreaks by 70% to 80%. Many people who take the antiviral drugs daily have no outbreaks at all.
There is no set number of outbreaks per year that doctors use to decide when someone should start suppressive therapy. Rather, more important factors are how often the outbreaks happen and if they are severe enough to interfere with your life.
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Tip #10 Drink Purified Alkaline Water
Not only is the amount of water you drink important, but the quality of your water can make a difference too. Some chemicals such as chlorine are necessary to filter germs from our water, but this chemical is also extremely toxic to our health and ideally should be removed from the water before drinking.
Carbon filters are available which filter chlorine from your water and can be fitted either to the house or just to a particular tap or fosset. A reverse-osmosis filter is another type of filter which will remove all heavy metals and chemicals from your water. However, this process removes a lot of the beneficial minerals too, so it is important to find a filter that also replaces these minerals, such as through the use of a coral or mineral cartridge.
Very importantly, it is preferable to drink water that is alkaline. By alkalizing the body you help your entire system fight off free radicals which can cause deterioration of the cells. Many scientists claim miraculous benefits for a wide range of health conditions through the regular consumption of alkalizing water.
If you dont have access to alkaline or filtered water, try having a glass of water with freshly squeeze lemon or lime juice each morning and night. This is highly alkalizing and will help provide you with a good start.
Is There A Home Treatment For Herpes
Although its not available at-home for treating herpes, there are natural remedieswhich can help relieve the symptoms associated with herpes simplex virus infection including hot compresses and topical treatment.
A change in diet can even be helpful in preventing a further outbreak. Many believe that hey must eek for prescription medications forgetting that there are natural treatments.
You probably may think that both natural and home remedies only serves to relieve symptoms or prevent outbreaks bit this is not trues.
Several foods and plants at home have antiviral properties that can serve the purpose of herpes medications.
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Sex And Physical Irritation
Friction from intercourse can irritate tissue and trigger a herpes outbreak.
Obviously, that doesnt mean to avoid having sex forever or that youll break out if you do.
But it does mean if youre having early warning signs that an outbreak is coming on, like sensitivity or tingling, then wait for them to pass.
They may be prodrome symptoms that signal contagiousness and an impending outbreak. And making them worse might encourage the outbreak to happen.
So since sex can sometimes trigger outbreaks, just be careful to minimize irritation. Try using a water-based lubricant. However, lubricants that contain the spermicide nonoxynol-9 can irritate soft tissue of the vaginal walls.
Other physical irritations can cause herpes outbreaks:
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Lysine Deficiency Herpes Diet
Failure to get enough lysine can lead to reproductive disorders, slow growth, agitation, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, anemia, and blood shot eyes. People who may not get enough lysine are burn patients , athletes , and vegans who do not eat enough legumes .
Although a vegan diet can be much healthier than a diet containing animal products, lysine is one thing that is not very prevalent in vegan foods. If you are a vegan who does not watch his or her nutritional intake closely , then you might just opt to take a lysine supplement. The other nutrient vegans may wish to supplement is B12. Like lysine, it is scarce in the vegan diet, but both can be obtained in vegan form for supplementation.
As you will see, making sure that you have enough lysine is critical to avoiding herpes outbreaks. Call it the Herpes Diet.
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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.
Screening For Hsv Infection
The CDC currently does not recommend routine screening for HSV-2 in the general population. This is due to several factors, such as the expense of testing, the risk of false-positives, and a lack of evidence of reduced spread of disease when asymptomatic patients are tested. Patients who should be screened for HSV-2 include those whose sexual partner has a known history of genital herpes and those who have multiple sexual partners.10 Tissue culture is the most specific and sensitive method for diagnosing the initial episode of genital herpes however, it is relatively insensitive when used during later stages of genital-ulcer healing or during recurrent infections. In those situations, viral culture is preferred. Although diagnosis can be confirmed only by laboratory testing, less stringent diagnostic criteria are frequently used in practice.1
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Why Are My Herpes Outbreaks Getting Worse
Manypeople with herpes go to the forum and ask a so common question Why aremy herpes outbreaks getting worse? If youre in the same situation, thisarticle is for you.
Herpesis a common skin infection in the United States. It has 2 main types includingoral herpes and genital herpes . Accordingto the NCHS, half of Americans have oral herpes and 12% of adults have genitalherpes. This means that anyone can contract herpes at some point in theirlifetime.
Differentpeople may have different symptoms. While some people have 1 or 2 outbreaks peryear, others have more than 5 outbreaks. Without treatment, herpes can go awayon its own in 2-3 weeks. However, symptoms are very painful and you can developoutbreaks frequently. In some cases, herpes may get worse and there are manyreasons for this.
bordersgirl
I was diagosed 13 years ago with Genital Herpes as the result of a very foolish short lived relationship.
The first attack was, as everyone says, the absolute worst . Since then I have had good years and bad years, sometimes many months with no attack. However over the last year I feel I have had back to back attacks. I am in misery, I have a couple of other health problems one of which is constant UTIâs and of course they are made worse by the herpes .
I know that plenty of people live with much worse conditions but this does seem to be a pretty bad thing to have.
4 likes, 25 replies
Complementary And Alternative Medicine
Some people use natural therapies to treat herpes, either on their own or to support standard medical care. The research supporting their use is generally weak, with little evidence that they can reduce either the severity or duration of an outbreak. Even so, many people swear by their effectiveness and consider them a vital part of managing herpes outbreaks.
Complementary and alternative therapies sometimes used to treat herpes include:
- Propolis: This is a sticky substance produced by bees that may help speed the healing of genital herpes. A 2017 study found that people who used propolis ointment experienced better healing by the 10th day of treatment compared to those who used a sham ointment.
- Algae extract: Lab studies suggest that algae extract can inhibit the growth of HSV-2 in test tubes. Whether it can do so in humans has yet to be proven.
- Acupuncture: A 2011 study concluded that acupuncture was mildly effective in reducing pain caused by the herpes zoster virus , the type of herpes virus that causes shingles. While this suggests that acupuncture may be useful in easing genital herpes pain, this has yet to be proven.
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What Is Neonatal Herpes
Neonatal herpes can be a very serious infection. Babies generally contract the virus from their birthing parent during childbirth even if the parent doesnt have active lesions. They may also get HSV-1 if an adult with an active cold sore kisses them. Breastfeeding babies can also get HSV-1 from the breast if there are lesions present. But babies cant get herpes from breast milk, so its safe to pump and feed.
Herpes simplex can be more dangerous for young babies because they dont have a fully developed immune system. But most babies with neonatal herpes can recover fully with treatment.
The dangers of neonatal herpes are much higher if the infection spreads to the babys organs. If youre pregnant and have herpes, speak with your healthcare provider about how to lower the risk of passing the infection to your baby.
What Should I Do If I Have Genital Herpes
If you have genital herpes:
- See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible for testing and treatment.
- Take all of the medicine. Even if symptoms go away, you need to finish all of the antiviral medicine.
- Tell your sex partner so they can be tested and treated if necessary.
- Avoid any sexual contact while you are being treated for genital herpes or while you have an outbreak.
- Remember that genital herpes is a lifelong disease. Even though you may not have a genital herpes outbreak for long periods of time, you can still pass the virus to another person at any time. Talk with your doctor or nurse about how to prevent passing the virus to another person.
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Does Herpes Need To Be Treated
Treating herpes simplex symptoms may not be necessary. Herpes simplex infections clear up even if no treatment is given. But treating genital herpes can be helpful particularly if there are severe symptoms. Some people are affected more than others. See below for the rare occasions when it can be serious.
The Best Herpes Supplements In 2021 Final Thoughts
Though, indeed, there isnt a herpes cure , there are several things that you can do to support and strengthen your bodys immune system and to help your body naturally fight off the infection and prevent future outbreaks. Additionally, by making dietary and lifestyle changes, you can also lessen the effects of active outbreaks and prevent the risk of developing future outbreaks.
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Faqs About Herpes Supplements
Q: What is genital herpes?
A: Genital herpes is caused by two types of the herpes simplex virus. It is a sexually transmitted disease, typically referred to as HSV 1 or HSV 2.
Q: What is oral herpes?
A: Oral herpes impacts the mouth, leaving cold sores and blisters around the area. It is caused by HSV 1, and most people who suffer from it contracted it with a non-sexual contact when they were in their childhood. It can be transferred with saliva.
Q: How is genital and oral herpes connected?
A: The majority of cases of oral herpes come from HSV 1. However, genital herpes is predominantly caused by HSV 2. Oral sex can spread both of these conditions, which is how some genital herpes cases are connected to HSV 1.
Q: How common is genital herpes?
A: Based on statistics regarding Americans from age 14 to 49, about 12% of this demographic is diagnosed with genital herpes. It attacks the immune system of one out of every eight people.
Q: How is genital herpes spread?
Q: Is it possible to contract herpes from a toilet seat, hotel bedding, swimming pool, cutlery, or other objects?
Q: Can herpes be cured?
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Topical Otc Treatments For Genital Herpes
Several over-the-counter topical options are available for genital herpes treatment, but evidence suggests they arent all effective.
Start with a few simple DIY topical compresses. Research shows that topical therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks and even contribute to the prevention of outbreaks when used promptly.
Here are a few tried-and-true natural compress ideas to get you started:
- -Dry, warm compress using warmed rice in a sock
- -Cold compress using an ice pack or soft washcloth filled with ice
- -Baking soda paste
- -Crushed garlic cloves mixed with olive oil
- -Topical apple cider vinegar using one-part ACV and three-parts warm water
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Can Genital Herpes Be Treated
Your physician can prescribe different medications to help reduce your symptoms and speed up the healing of an outbreak. These medicines work best when you start them soon after an outbreak occurs.
To reduce pain during an outbreak:
- Sit in warm water in a portable bath or bathtub for about 20 minutes. Avoid bubble baths.
- Keep your genital area clean and dry, and avoid tight clothes.
- Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin.
Let your physician know if you are worried about your genital herpes. He or she can recommend a support group to help you cope with the virus.
How Is Genital Herpes Treated
Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus . The virus causes an outbreak of blisters which are common herpes symptoms. Treatment is with antiviral medication to help prevent and control outbreaks.
If youre unsure if you have herpes, you can take a genital herpes test at home.
There are 3 main types of treatment for genital herpes:
Aciclovir tablets are used for outbreaks of genital herpes or cold sores to treat the symptoms. They can also be used to prevent outbreaks from happening if you get them often. How much you take and how long you take them for can vary depending on what youre using it for whether youre using it to treat an outbreak or to prevent future outbreaks.
Valaciclovir tablets are known as a pro-drug, which means your body converts it into aciclovir after you take them. Like aciclovir tablets, they can be used to treat symptoms or to prevent outbreaks.
A doctor may prescribe famciclovir tablets if you find that aciclovir or valaciclovir havent worked for you.
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