What Can You Do To Prevent Herpes Outbreak

Can Your Immune System Fight Herpes

How Contagious is Herpes?

Although the immune system is usually considered unable to eradicate the herpes virus once you have it, immune cells do play a critical role in suppressing the virus, which can limit the number and severity of outbreaks. Outbreaks are more likely to happen when a person is under stress or is not getting enough sleep or nutrition. This is thought to be related to the way optimal management of stress, sleep and nutrition support an effective, capable immune system. So, the number one factor for preventing and managing herpes outbreaks is a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Talk To Your Doctor About Antiviral Medications

There are two brands of antiviral medications available to treat herpes. Either can be used to take daily as a suppressive therapy or episodically when there is an outbreak. Discuss with your doctor how often you are experiencing outbreaks and your symptoms. Together you can decide which, if any, medication is best for you.

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 .

Do Natural Remedies Help

There are several options that can be tried to ease the pain. A73612 and Donnor52059 suggest dabbing cornstarch directly on the sores. I can’t find any scientific studies that have researched this, but I can’t see that it would do any harm.

A73612 also recommends squirting water from a bottle over the sores when you pee. This is a time-honoured method that will help to ease the pain.

Yolandayw mentioned taking a simple painkiller such as paracetamol during an outbreak. Feelbroken advised putting Vaseline on the sores. Lidocaine 5%, a local anaesthetic gel that numbs the area, is another option. Some people find it helpful to put on five minutes before passing urine. You need to get it on prescription and it doesn’t suit everyone. Some people develop sensitivity to it which makes the symptoms worse.

Yolandayw also advised using ice as a home remedy. Simply wrap the ice in a tea towel and apply for 5-10 minutes. Never put ice directly on the skin as this can cause ‘ice burn’. Drinking plenty of water can also be helpful as it reduces the concentration of urine, making it less painful when you have to pee.

D91907 mentioned putting aloe vera gel on the sores. There is some scientific evidence that aloe vera is useful for both genital and oral herpes.

Try Taking The Supplement Lysine

Prevention of Genital Herpes and Cold Sores

In terms of taking supplements to prevent breakouts, I especially recommend L-lysine. This is the primary supplement for herpes, Gade says. L-lysine is an amino acid, a building block of protein. When you have an outbreak, it can be taken orally to shorten the outbreak in conjunction with an antiviral medication.

Lysine appears to be useful in reducing the number and the severity of outbreaks. The usual daily dose is between 1 and 3 milligrams.

Some studies suggest that taking lysine regularly may help prevent outbreaks of both cold sores and herpes sores. In Gades experience, patients have had no side effects using lysine. In some people, though, there have been reports of the supplement causing abdominal pain and diarrhea.

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Are There Any Home Remedies For Herpes

Vitamin C, if taken within 48 hours of the onset of tingling or itching, may help to prevent an oral herpes outbreak. If an outbreak has occurred, plant compounds called fucoidans, derived from edible seaweeds, can help speed the healing and inhibit the reactivation of herpes lesions. In addition, the over-the-counter gastric reflux medication, Cimetidine, has been shown to suppress the herpes zoster virus through a beneficial impact on immune function. For symptomatic relief, cool baths and wet compresses can help subdue itching and pain during an outbreak.

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 Can You Do To Prevent A Herpes Outbreak

For oral herpes, minimizing sunlight exposure and using sunscreen on the lips is an important preventative measure. For herpes in general, choosing a healthy lifestyle and diet will support the immune system, which can help suppress the herpes virus and reduce outbreaks. If additional immune support is needed, reishi mushroom extract has been shown to encourage a healthy immune response. Finally, the amino acid lysine helps suppress herpes virus replication, reducing frequency, duration and severity of herpes outbreaks.

Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Herpes Blisters Fast

Foods To Prevent Recurring Herpes Outbreak

Protecting Against Herpes

Herpes simplex is an incurable virus. Once you catch it, you will have it for life. Two common types of herpes are HSV-1 which causes cold sores and fever blisters around the lips or in the mouth, and HSV-2 which is typically associated with genital herpes .

The good news is that there are many options you can choose from to manage it. Aside from drugs and medications, there are lifestyle changes you can make to stop or prevent an outbreak. One factor diet is critical to managing your condition.

First, there are a few fundamental things you need to know: namely, the delicate balance between lysine and arginine as well as acidity and alkalinity. Lets examine both.

Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Herpes Fast On Lips

If Someone With Herpes Has No Sores Can It Still Be Passed On

If someone has herpes but no sores, can it still be passed on to another person? Spence*

Yes. Even when no sores are present, the herpes is still active in the body and can spread to others.

If you or your partner has herpes, reduce the risk of spread by:

using a condom every time you have sex . The herpes virus can live outside of the area that a condom covers, though, so a condom may not always prevent the spread.
avoiding sex during outbreaks
making sure the infected person takes antiviral medicine every day as prescribed by the health care provider

The only way to completely prevent herpes and other STDs is to not have sex .

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

You may want to ask your healthcare provider:

What is the best treatment for me?
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 look out for signs of complications?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Millions of people are living with the herpes virus that causes genital herpes. Its a common STI. You shouldnt be embarrassed or put off seeking medical care if you develop symptoms. Treatments can ease symptoms, reduce outbreaks and protect sexual partners from infection. Having the virus shouldnt affect your relationships or sexual health. However, you do need to tell your sexual partners that you have the virus. Your healthcare provider can discuss ways to prevent spreading this STI.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/23/2020.

References

Why You Should Go To A Sexual Health Clinic

You can see a GP, but they’ll probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you might have genital herpes.

Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals and urine system.

Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment.

They’ll often get test results quicker than GP practices and you do not have to pay a prescription fee for treatment.

What You Need To Know

Fifty percent to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes.
Oral herpes can be spread through intimate contact with someone who is infected.
Oral herpes can be difficult to diagnose. Often confused with many other infections, it can only be confirmed with a virus culture called PCR, blood test or biopsy. PCR is the preferred test for diagnosing herpes infections.
The best treatment for oral herpes is antiviral oral medication. Symptomatic treatment may include antiviral ointment, over-the-counter topical anesthetics or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents.

Whether you call it a cold sore or a fever blister, oral herpes is a common infection of the mouth area that is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 . Fifty percent to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 90 percent of adults have been exposed to the virus by age 50.

Once infected, a person will have herpes simplex virus for the rest of his or her life. When inactive, the virus lies dormant in a group of nerve cells. While some people never develop any symptoms from the virus, others will have periodic outbreaks of infections.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Herpes Type 1

How To Use Lysine For Herpes

While incorporating Lysine-rich foods into your diet can be effective, it can also pose health problems for those with specific conditions that are sensitive to large amounts of protein-rich foods. The easiest way is to use Lysine in its free form.

Lysine supplements for herpes are also very effective when theyre taken right before activities that serve as triggers for flareups.

Outside of taking it to control flareups, symptoms, and maintenance between remission, you should also take it before drinking alcohol, sun exposure, binge eating, and stressful situations.

What makes Lysine dosage for herpes so difficult to determine is that youll get conflicting information from everyone and everywhere.

While the WHO has set the recommended daily requirements at 12 mg/kg-1 once a day, studies show that males need three times that amount. It does bring into question exactly how much youll need when treating herpes.

As a general guideline, well use the scientifically-researched doses.

For cold sore supplementation, you should take 1,000 mg three times daily for six months. Continue taking 1,000 mg once daily for 12 months.

For topical application during outbreaks, you should be applying your choice of creams, chap-sticks, and the like every two hours for 11 days. You should also be taking Lysine supplements for herpes three times daily in 1,000 mg strengths for for six months.

Protecting Your Partner And Preventing Herpes Transmission

Research shows that the single greatest fear is the fear of transmission to partners, says Dr. Handsfield.

The main ways to avoid transmitting herpes are:

Learn to recognize how you feel when an outbreak is on the way, and stop having sex immediately.
Dont have sex during active outbreaks.
Always use condoms but dont rely on them during outbreaks. They dont completely cover infectious areas.
Only after all sores have scabbed over and healed should you have sex again.
Avoid touching your herpes sores, because you can spread them to other places on your body that way. Whenever you touch a sore, wash your hands immediately.
Dont kiss people or have sex if you have a cold sore.
Tell potential partners about having herpes before having sex with them, even though it may be hard.
Ask your doctor about taking antiviral drugs regularly.

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How To Prevent Herpes

But most people have sex at some point in their lives, so knowing how to have safer sex is important. Using protection like condoms and dental dams when you have sex helps to lower your risk of getting an STD.

Herpes can live on areas of your body that arent protected by condoms , so condoms wont always protect you from herpes. But they do lower your chances of getting herpes.

Dont have sex with anyone during a herpes outbreak, because thats when it spreads most easily. But herpes can also spread when there are no sores or symptoms, so its important to use condoms and dental dams, even if everything looks and feels A-OK.

How Is Genital Herpes Diagnosed

An All Natural OTC Topical Product for Genital Herpes Outbreak Symptoms

Often, your doctor can diagnose genital herpes by looking at visible sores. Your doctor or nurse may also use a cotton swab to take a fluid sample from a sore to test in a lab.

Genital herpes can be hard to diagnose, especially between outbreaks. Blood tests that look for antibodies to the herpes virus can help diagnose herpes in women without symptoms or between outbreaks.

A Pap test is not used to detect genital herpes.

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Treatment For Genital Herpes

There is no medication to cure your body of the herpes virus. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms, reducing the frequency of recurrences and reducing transmission.

Symptoms can be improved by:

ice packs to the affected area
pain-relieving medication such as paracetamol
antiviral medication such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir. These can reduce the severity of an episode if taken early enough . Topical antivirals usually used for cold sores on the lips or face are not suitable for use on the genitals.

Do I Need To Taketo Prevent Outbreaks

This is a tough question to answer directly because it depends greatly on each individuals specific diet. However, nutrition is key to preventing herpes outbreaks. Some people naturally consume high levels of lysine compared to arginine and would need significantly less lysine supplementation to prevent herpes outbreaks.

Other people like vegans or athletes either consume relatively little lysine on their regular diet or utilize it so fast for muscle building and repair that they need to supplement with significantly higher doses.

Genital Herpes: How Can You Prevent The Spread Of Herpes In Sexual Relationships

Herpes viruses are most likely to be transmitted during an outbreak, so it’s better to not have sex during this time. Herpes can also be passed on to others in symptom-free phases, though. This risk can be reduced considerably by using condoms.

If you have genital herpes, there are some things you can do on your own to protect your partner from infection. The main things are

not having sex during an outbreak,
using condoms during symptom-free phases, and
talking openly with your partner about the disease.

Preventive treatment with antiviral medication may be an option for people who have genital herpes very frequently. This medication inhibits the activity of the virus, thereby lowering the risk of infecting partners.

Is There A Way To Prevent Getting Herpes

You can protect yourself and your partner by taking steps to prevent an outbreak of herpes. Some things that you can do include:

-If you already have herpes, donât have sex until the outbreak is completely gone, even with a condom.

-Try to learn the signs of an impending outbreak, such as itching, tingling and burning, and stop having sex as soon as you notice.

-If you wear contact lenses, donât wet your lenses with your saliva. This could spread your herpes infection to your eyes.

-Donât have sex with your partner until your herpes sores are completely healed.

-Always tell your partner if you are infected with the herpes virus before you have sex. Even though it can be embarrassing and difficult, herpes is very common, and telling your partner will help keep the infection from spreading.

Also Check: How Can I Cure Herpes Forever

Hsv1 And Oral Transmission

The other commonly transmitted strain of the herpes simplex virus, HSV1, typically results in oral herpes, or cold sores around the mouth. This form of HSV is more readily transmitted via oral contact, such as kissing, than through genital contact.

Unlike HSV2, which usually lies dormant between outbreaks at the base of the spine, HSV1s latency periods are typically spent in nerve endings near the ear. Thats why its more likely to cause oral herpes than genital herpes.

HSV1 and HSV2 are genetically similar to each other and clinical symptoms are indistinguishable.

For this reason, having one form of the virus sometimes reduces the risk of acquiring the other form. This is because your body actively produces antibodies to fight the virus once you have it. However, its possible to contract both forms.

HSV1 and HSV2 can both have no symptoms or very mild symptoms that you might not notice. Not having symptoms doesnt mean you dont have the virus.

If you do have symptoms of HSV1 or HSV2, they may include:

a tingling sensation, itching, or pain, anywhere in the genital area or around the mouth
one or more small, white blisters that may become oozy or bloody
one or more small, red bumps or irritated-looking skin