Wednesday, March 27, 2024

How To Prevent Recurrent Herpes Outbreak

There Are Foods That Can Help Us And There Are Foods That Can Hurt Us Here Are Some Delicious Ways To Help Prevent Your Herpes Outbreak

Herpes Simplex Virus Treatment / Alynn Alexander, MD

Lets face it. You are what you eat. At the end of the day what you put in your body will either help keep you healthy or make you sick. Food is a pleasure and there are so many yummy things out there. But at the same time, there are some foods that can really help us when it comes to our herpes outbreaks. With this being said by no means do I want you to deprive yourself of some delicious foods.

In past episodes, Ive talked about foods to avoid for herpes outbreaks. Well lets talk about some foods it includes that will help keep outbreaks away as well as help you recover faster when you have one.

Before we get into the foods we need to do a quick refresher on why these foods are helpful or harmful. It boils down to two essential amino acids, lysine, and arginine. They both are helpful and important for our bodies so we need to make sure they are included in our diet however too much of one can really increase the outbreaks. Arginine is like lighter fluid to the herpes virus. The virus loves the arginine rich diet, in fact, it feeds the virus. On the contrary, lysine is a fire extinguisher to the herpes virus.The virus considered a lysine rich environment a hostile environment. Sothats what we want to create, a hostile environment for the virus. I go way more in depth. Heres the link.

Other Ways To Reduce Genital Herpes

Following are several ways that can reduce herpes transmission.

  • Using condoms is one of the best ways to reduce the transmission rate. According to a 2016 study, over 900 couples and the findings suggest that condoms drastically reduced the transmission rate. The transmission rate from men to women went down by 96% and by 65% vice versa. Therefore, using condoms correctly can help reduce transmission.
  • If your partner has an active sore on their genitals, it is advisable to refrain from sexual contact. However, if you want to proceed, go ahead with a condom.

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How Does Genital Herpes Spread

Herpes can be spread when an infected person has lesions blisters and open sores on their body or when you do not have any symptoms. Taking antiviral medicine can help you reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes to your sexual partners. You can also:

  • Inform your sexual partner that you have genital herpes.
  • Use a condom every time you have sex.
  • Refrain from having sex when you have symptoms.
  • Abstain from performing oral sex if you have blisters or open sores around your mouth.

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Can Genital Herpes Come Back

Yes. Genital herpes symptoms can come and go, but the virus stays inside your body even after all signs of the infection have gone away. The virus becomes active from time to time, leading to an outbreak. Some people have outbreaks only once or twice. Other people may have four or five outbreaks within a year. Over time, the outbreaks usually happen less often and are less severe.

Experts do not know what causes the virus to become active. Some women say the virus comes back when they are sick, under stress, out in the sun, or during their period.

Use Protection Between Outbreaks

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Although you are most contagious when you have sores, you can spread the virus even when there are no herpes symptoms through viral sheddingsmall amounts of the virus come to the surface of the skin. Shedding can happen at any time. One study found that 70% of cases were contracted when the sexual partner was symptom-free. Latex condoms used between outbreaks for genital-to-genital contact can reduce the risk of transmission. Although condoms dont cover all the potential sites of viral shedding, they are useful against the virus by protecting or covering the mucous membranes most likely to be infected.

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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.

Is Genital Herpes Infection Related To Hiv

Herpes and HIV are caused by different viruses. But patients infected with these viruses are more likely to transmit either disease to their sexual partners. Patients with herpes are more vulnerable to HIV infection. People newly diagnosed with herpes should be tested for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections.

Patients who are infected with both herpes and HIV also may have a higher concentration of HIV viruses in their body because of the interaction between the herpes virus and the HIV virus. When HIV damages a persons immune system, the person may be more likely to shed herpes simplex virus asymptomatically.

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How Often Do Herpes Outbreaks Occur

How often herpes outbreaks occur will depend on what might trigger them and your individual health status at the time. You may have several herpes outbreaks in a year or sometimes herpes outbreaks can come close together.

In other cases, herpes outbreaks may not happen very often. You may not have a herpes outbreak until months or even years after the first infection. You may have just a single genital herpes outbreak and then no further symptoms.

How Lysine Works Against Cold Sores

Herpes Simplex Virus in Depth / Alynn Alexander, MD

Lysine supports human health in many ways, but its best known for its potential role in protecting against cold sores.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 . Some people infected with HSV-1 never experience an outbreak, but most have experienced the pain and embarrassment of cold sore blisters. These fluid-filled sores develop on or around the mouth and burst to release their fluids.

Though no permanent cure for cold sores exists, its possible to prevent future outbreaks or expedite the recovery of existing cold sores using lysine. HSV-1 relies on arginine-rich proteins to spread and reproduce. Arginine is a different amino acid found in certain meats, nuts, and wheat. It triggers cold sore and aggravates existing outbreaks.

Research suggests that lysine works against cold sores by interfering with the absorption of arginine. With the help of enough lysine, arginine becomes unavailable to the virus and shortens the duration of the outbreak.

In one small study, treatment with lysine ointment achieved full resolution in 40% of participants by the third day and in 87% of participants by the sixth day. This marks a vast improvement compared to a standard cold sore episode that may last up to 21 days without treatment.

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What Happens At A Sexual Health Clinic

The doctor or nurse at the sexual health clinic will:

  • ask about your symptoms and your sexual partners
  • use a small cotton bud to take some fluid from 1 of your blisters or sores for testing

The test cannot:

  • be done if you do not have visible blisters or sores
  • tell you how long you have had herpes or who you got it from

Symptoms might not appear for weeks or even years after you’re infected with the herpes virus.

Try An Herbal Approach

Try echinacea to stimulate your immune system and burdock root as a gentle cleansing tonic. Heres a recipe by herbalist Aviva Romm. Toss 1 ounce each of dried echinacea and burdock root into a quart of boiling water. Let the herbs steep for 4 to 8 hours, then strain the liquid. To treat an outbreak, drink 4 cups a day until the blisters disappear. To prevent recurrent outbreaks, drink 1/2 cup two to four times a day. You can use this infusion for up to 3 months. After that, take a 3-day break after each 27-day stretch.

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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.

Understanding Herpes With H Hunter Handsfield Md

Pin on Herpes Cure

Herpes expert H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, explains the basics about genital herpes, including the difference between genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection, testing options and the importance of knowing virus type, and the three-prong strategy for prevention. See more herpes videos at sexualhealthTV.com.

Have a question about herpes youd like Dr. Handsfield or our other experts to answer? Visit our Ask the Experts page to learn how.

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There Are Websites With Headings Like Living With Oral Herpes Living With Herpes Simplex Type 2 Or Just Coping With Herpes

We dont use these phrases. Would anyone expect to read Living with cold sores? Or Living with shingles? Or Coping with thrush? These phrases seem to be created to dramatise the condition. Granted some people are unlucky with their outbreaks see here for treatment. Most of us soon realise what a small issue it really is. See a sample of a happy ever after personal report in a copy of our quarterly magazine, sent to subscribers.

When To Talk With A Doctor

Herpes isnt curable, but it can be treated with antiviral medications. These medications can reduce the severity of an outbreak.

If you suspect you have herpes, make an appointment with a doctor. Its also a good idea to talk with your doctor about a herpes screening if:

  • your current or previous sexual partner has herpes
  • youre planning to have sex with a new partner
  • you had a risky sexual encounter

If youve already been diagnosed with herpes and youre currently experiencing an outbreak, the outbreak might go away without causing complications and without treatment.

However, its wise to make an appointment with your doctor if:

  • the outbreak is particularly painful or unbearable
  • youre experiencing symptoms of other STIs
  • youre experiencing frequent, severe outbreaks

If youre sexually active, its a good idea to have regular STI screenings. You can book appointments for STI screenings with your doctors office. You could also try a local clinic, certain pharmacies, or Planned Parenthood.

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How Do I Treat Genital Herpes

For most people antiviral medicine is not necessary either because their body prevents recurrent symptoms or because they find that adopting a healthier life style makes a difference. See What can I do to prevent frequent recurrences?For people who are unlucky and get frequent recurrences, there are two ways that antiviral tablets can be used.

How Can I Manage The Symptoms

How Can You Prevent Shingles
  • Keep the area clean to avoid infection. You can use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to reduce pain and soothe your skin.
  • Some people find topical anaesthetic creams such as Emla help
  • Drink plenty of fluids this will dilute your urine and make passing urine less painful.
  • Avoid tight clothing as it may irritate the blisters and sores further.

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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.

If You Have Symptoms Find Out What Youre Dealing With

With genital herpes, the biggest mistake people make is not seeking medical advice, says Gade.

People often find the signs or symptoms of a first herpes outbreak confusing, says Gade. You may mistake herpes symptoms for those of a yeast infection and try curing that condition on your own. But if your healthcare provider diagnoses you with herpes, the first line of treatment will be antiviral medications.

, you can make matters worse by putting things on the herpes sores that you shouldnt put on the sores, she says. People often try using Vaseline, bacitracin, or Aquaphor to soothe the itchy or painful eruptions.

Honestly, not putting anything on the sores is best, says Gade. Do keep the area clean and dry, though.

Warm compresses applied to tender or painful areas can help. So can sitting in a warm bath, using Epsom salt.

Sometimes people have enormous pain with urination, says Gade. For relief, you can urinate in your bathwater or while taking a shower to dilute the urine stream and lessen the sensation. You can also use warm water in a spray bottle to dilute the stream while youre urinating.

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How To Stop Genital Herpes Outbreaks

Individuals who have immune systems that are weak have the tendency to get more incessant herpes outbreaks. So as to disallow outbreaks that are not pleasant, it is necessary that you take care of your entire wellbeing and boost your immune system. Also take a diet filled and high with lysine , they help disallow chronic genital outbreaks of herpes as well as diminish the severity of repetitive flare-ups. Additionally, examples of foods and nourishments rich in L-lysine are peas, eggs, nuts, beans, meat, lentils, and cheddar.

Other factors responsible for triggering the outbreaks of herpes, whether genital or not, is stress. This is true and real for both mental stress and also physical stress like tiredness and illness. Anything that supports or helps in the reduction of stress will also assist you in the reduction of any future outbreak occurrence of genital herpes. Inculcate a healthy eating habit, especially lots of fruits and veggies, this will assist you in maintaining a strong immune system.

In case you will be dealing with a severe and endless condition such as herpes, its not advisable to bear the cost of having a negative outlook. The way in which you see life and react to it matters a lot. Feeling negative and angry will build up stress inside of you. Chronic stress will incur significant damage to your body and impedes the function of your immune system.

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

Still No HSV Cure  Different ways to Stay Herpes outbreak Free With Gâ¦

You may want to ask your healthcare provider:

  • What is the best treatment for me?
  • What happens if I dont treat a cold sore?
  • What are the side effects of antiviral medications?
  • How can I reduce the risk of future outbreaks?
  • Whats the best way to prevent getting another STI?
  • How can I protect my partner from getting genital herpes?
  • Should I lookout for signs of complications?

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Upgrade Your Eating Habits

Are you eating a standard American diet, or SAD? That means eating lots of meat, fast foods, and processed foods and few fresh fruits and vegetables. Such habits not only work against living comfortably with herpes, they also raise your risk for many diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Consider upgrading your eating habits through a few, not-so-hard-to-make changes.

Eat more veggies. Try to prepare home-cooked food more often. Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed, says LeeAnn Weintraub, RD, MPH, a registered dietitian based in Los Angeles. She considers these three tips to be the first steps anyone who wants to eat more healthfully should follow.

Get Help For Herpes From Your Doctor

If you have a stubborn case of genital herpes or are experiencing many recurrences, you may want to consider seeing your doctor for a prescription of valacyclovir , a drug that reduces frequency of attacks, limits their severity, and speeds healing time. This drug, approved by the FDA in 2001, stays in the body longer than acyclovir , so you have to take only one pill a day to fight off recurrences. If you are having your first attack or your recurrences are frequent, or if you believe them to be frequent, talk to your doctor. If you are pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor that you have herpes, since the virus can infect newborns. A strong link was once suspected between genital herpes and cervical cancer. That link is not as strong as once thought, but its still important for women with herpes to get a yearly Pap test.

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