How Do You Get Rid Of Herpes

Genital Herpes Hiv And Sexual Health

Herpes virus treatment

Genital herpes is one of the most common co-infections for people living with HIV and can be a more serious condition if youre HIV positive meaning that outbreaks may last longer and blisters can be more severe. If youre having recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes, you should have an HIV test, as this may be a sign of a weakened immune system caused by HIV.

Having an STI such as genital herpes can increase your risk of getting and passing on HIV, as the blisters and sores provide an easy way for HIV to get into your body and cause an infection. People living with HIV who arent on treatment or who have a lower CD4 count are especially vulnerable to other infections, like herpes.

If youre taking antiretroviral treatment for HIV, its important to discuss with your doctor how treatment for herpes may interact with your HIV drugs.

What Is The Difference Between Genital Herpes And Genital Warts

Both genital herpes and are STIs, are spread through skin-to-skin contact, and are caused by a virus. But the viruses that cause genital herpes and genital warts are different:

Herpes simplex virus is the virus that causes genital herpes.
is the virus that causes genital warts.

There is no cure for either genital herpes or genital warts. But, different medicines can help manage the symptoms of herpes and treat the complications of HPV infections that can cause genital warts.

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.

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How Are Genital Herpes Diagnosed

Other STIs, like syphilis, cause similar symptoms. In addition to a physical exam, your healthcare provider will take a fluid sample from the blisters to test for the herpes virus. If your blisters are healed or you dont have blisters, a blood test can check for HSV-2 antibody, a marker that shows you have been exposed to the virus.

Print this Supplement Protocol page and post it somewhere you can easily reference it.

Begin on day one taking all the supplements as noted in the Supplement Protocol.

Also on day one, begin the Hydrogen Peroxide Protocol as follows:

You will need 35% Certified Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide and pure water.

Use the purest water you can obtain. Make sure the water you use does not contain fluoride.

1. Measure 8 ounces of pure water. Pour approximately 1/2 the water into your 8 oz. spray bottle. Add the recommended number of drops of 35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide . Fill your bottle with the rest of the pure water so it has a total 8 ounces of water. Give the bottle a little shake to mix well.

2. Take a shower and wash the area well with a high quality natural and organic soap. You want to use a high quality soap as you will be applying DMSO cream to the area and it will penetrate the skin taking everything that is on the skin with it.

3. After you have finished showering and washing the area, dry yourself off.

Where to spray the hydrogen peroxide mixture:

5. Blot the area dry with a clean towel.

When Should You Call Your Doctor About Genital Herpes

What Your Doctor Will Not Tell You about Herpes : A Natural Easy herbal ...

With an initial outbreak, if an individual has signs or symptoms of a genital herpes infection, he or she should seek the care of a doctor as soon as possible, particularly if the diagnosis of genital herpes has not been previously established. Although genital herpes infections generally are not medical emergencies, treatment is more effective when it is started within the first few days of the outbreak.

Subsequent outbreaks rarely need immediate medical attention.

If an individual has had a genital herpes outbreak before, discuss options for preventing further outbreaks with a doctor.
People with severe underlying medical problems are at higher risk of severe illness if the disease is untreated. These individuals should contact a doctor immediately upon noticing genital herpes sores.
A pregnant woman with signs or symptoms of genital herpes must inform her doctor as soon as possible. Prompt medical therapy may reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to newborn children by exposure in the birth canal.

In otherwise healthy people, genital herpes outbreaks rarely require hospital visits. If an individual is experiencing an initial episode of genital herpes and cannot be seen by a regular doctor within the first few days of the illness, it is advisable to go to a hospitals emergency department to have medical treatment started.

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Cold Sores: Common And Contagious

Cold sores are common and mostly harmless. Theyre caused by the herpes simplex virus, which spreads easily from person to person.

In some lucky people, the virus might cause a cold sore onceor twice and never rear its head again. But for other people, they come backagain and again, sometimes several times a year. And that gets old real fast.

They tend to go away on their own in 10 to 14 days, says Dr.Beers. But that doesnt make them any less annoying.

How Do You Get Genital Herpes

Herpes is a common infection caused by herpes virus. The virus causing herpes is of two types, namely, herpes simplex virus type 1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 .

Genital herpes is a type of sexually transmitted disease caused mostly by HSV-2. Although HSV-1 can cause herpes rash in the genital area, it is less frequent compared with HSV-2. HSV-1 spreads by skin-to-skin contact, whereas HSV-2 spreads by sexual contact. Genital herpes rash is present on or around the genitals . When rash is in or on around the lips, mouth and throat, it is called oral herpes.

Herpes virus dies quickly outside the body. You cannot get herpes from holding hands, hugging, coughing, sneezing or sitting on the toilet seat.

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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.

Facts And Statistics About Herpes

How Contagious is Herpes?

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated two-thirds of the global population under 50 years old are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 .
Estimates for HSV-1 prevalence in the U.S. among people aged 049 years are 178 million women and 142 million men .
In total, about 75 percent or more of the American adult population has the HSV-1 virus that usually causes oral herpes , and about 20 percent to 30 percent have HSV-2 that usually causes genital herpes.
Men and women are affected by HSV-1 about equally. Roughly 6 million women in the U.S. become infected with HSV-1 each year, along with 5 million men.
Slightly more women than men are affected by genital herpes, whether from HSV-1 or HSV-2. Middle-aged women are most likely to acquire genital herpes.
Transmission of HSV most often occurs without symptoms, so its estimated that 85 percent of people with genital herpes dont know it. Many dont have any symptoms at all after the initial infection, and only about 15 percent ever receive a HSV-2 infection diagnosis in their lifetimes.
Most primary oral/facial HSV infections are caused by HSV-1 however, facial infection by HSV-2 is increasingly becoming common.
Less children are becoming infected with HSV-1 than in the past in high-income countries, mostly due to better hygiene and living conditions.
After someone comes into contact with an active herpes outbreak on another person, the incubation period takes about one week.

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How Do You Manage A Herpes Outbreak

Antiviral medications are effective at managing herpes symptoms and partially controlling further outbreaks.

Youll likely be recommended acyclovir, valacyclovir , or famciclovireach of which has been proven to help manage genital herpes infections in clinical trials . These are all pills taken orally. For those who have frequent outbreaks, these antiviral medicines can reduce how often they occur by 70-80%.

Many people on antiviral therapy report never experiencing herpes symptoms . These drugs work by preventing the virus from spreading within your body, although medication cant prevent spreading to other people .

For oral herpes, antiviral pills are often preferred over topical products as creams have to be applied multiple times a day, and research has found topical treatments less effective as pills . You can also use cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to manage discomfort.

Herpes outbreaks dont necessarily need treatment, but immediately addressing them can help shorten how long your symptoms last . The very first outbreak you have after being infected does require medical treatment, but any future outbreaks usually go away on their own.

Its still a good idea to have antiviral medication on-hand to use within the first 24 hours of symptoms since these drugs can shorten how long outbreaks last .

How To Get Rid Of Herpes The Conventional Way

For most people with herpes, the virus typically represents nothing more than an inconvenience however, the real risk is for immuno-compromised patients who cant easily manage infections. In these patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

As of 2017, there is not currently a herpes vaccine available to prevent HSV-1 or HSV-2.

Doctors sometimes prescribe medications to help keep the herpes virus suppressed or to speed up healing of cold sores by reducing bacteria that can cause infections. Some medications that are now used to control herpes include:

Nucleoside analogues and antiviral medications
Creams/ointment to help lower pain and inflammation near the site of sores
Over-the-counter painkillers to reduce aches, tenderness or fever

However, its important to understand that even with early detection and prescription medications, either form of the herpes virus cannot be totally cured so transmission is always still possible. Medications for viruses dont always work long term and are not a cure-all.

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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:

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.

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What Prescription Drugs Treat Cold Sores

Prescription-strength topical medications: Treatment with topical acyclovir or penciclovir will reduce healing time by approximately half a day and decrease pain associated with the lesion. Topical treatment is limited in its effectiveness because it has poor penetration to the site of replication of the virus and therefore is restricted in its healing ability. Acyclovir cream should be applied five times per day for 4 days, and penciclovir cream should be applied every two hours while awake for 4 days. A cream containing 5% acyclovir and a topical steroid called Xerese is also available.

Treatment for the first outbreak of oral herpes in an otherwise healthy person may include:

Acyclovir, 400 mg orally three times a day for 10 days or until the lesions have crusted
Valacyclovir, 2,000 mg orally every 12 hours for 1 day
Famciclovir, 250 mg orally three times a day for 7-10 days
Treatment doses for recurrent oral herpes are as follows:
Acyclovir, 400 mg orally three times a day for 5 days: It may also be given as 800 mg orally twice a day for 5 days or 800 mg three times a day for 2 days.
Valacyclovir, 2,000 mg orally every 12 hours for 1 day
Famciclovir, 1,500 mg orally once
Suppressive treatment for those with frequent outbreaks may be given for 12 months, but it may be extended if needed:
Acyclovir, 400 mg orally twice a day
Valacyclovir, 500 mg orally once a day
Famciclovir, 250 mg orally twice a day

Home Remedies For Herpes: Reducing Outbreaks

A number of at home remedies exist to prevent the likelihood of a herpes outbreak. Outbreaks can be caused by a number of environmental and physiological factors such as:

Physical or emotional stress

To help reduce the transfer of HSV: minimize the chance of an outbreak by getting good rest, reducing stress, eating healthy foods to help your immune system, and protect yourself from harsh weather .

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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 .

What Effects Does Herpes Have During Pregnancy

Herpes simplex (Cold sore): All you need to know

Itâs really important to speak to a healthcare worker if you have herpes during pregnancy, especially if it’s your first outbreak. If you have herpes there’s a risk that your baby can develop âneonatal herpesâ. This can be very dangerous or even fatal for your baby. Your healthcare provider will be able to prescribe antiviral treatment to keep your baby safe and help you have a healthy pregnancy.

Speak to a healthcare worker for more information or if you have any concerns.

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Oregano Oil Can Treat Herpes

Oregano oil is very beneficial in many areas, included the treatment of illnesses. It is an immune system stimulant, an anti-inflammatory as well as an analgesic.

Studies have confirmed that Oil of Oregano, an extract from the herb, also has antiÂ¬viral, antiÂ¬fungal, and antiÂ¬parasitic properties.

A study published in 1996 in Medical Sciences Research, showed that this potent herb fought viruses RNA and DNA .

Applied topically, Oil of Oregano has been found to stop the progression of cold sores very effectively. A thin coating of the oil applied during the prodromal stage often prevents the outbreak altogether.

Maybe youve wondered about how to make oregano oil. You dont have to worry about it because you can .