Just What Is Herpes Simplex?

                

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In the United States, herpes simplex is the most common genital infection. Estimates show that about 1 million people annually will be infected by this virus. Recurrent infections, as a result of the virus, will affect about 45 million people every year. Studies add that the incidence of herpes simplex will be higher in young adults, adolescents, and in those living in lower socioeconomic populations. It is a chronic disease and, in many people, will not have any visible symptoms. Currently, no total cure is available for herpes simplex.

Herpes simplex is the result of either one of two viruses, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). However, most herpes infections are caused by HSV-2. It has been estimated that HSV-2 is responsible for 80% of initial herpes infections, and up to 95% of recurrent infections.

What Are The Symptoms Of Herpes Simplex?

While many people experience no symptoms with herpes simplex, painfully frequent recurrences of herpes symptoms will appear in others. Approximately 3 to 7 days after contacting the infection symptoms of herpes simplex will begin to appear. Red spots, that will be painful, will appear in the genital area. For men, these lesions will generally appear on the head, or the shaft of the penis. For women, these lesions will most commonly occur outside of the vaginal opening, inside the vagina, and on the cervix.

These spots will soon form painful blisters filled with a clear fluid containing particles of the herpes virus. When the blisters break they will shed the virus, causing the appearance of painful ulcers. These ulcers will last up to 6 weeks. Should the ulcers become infected, they could last considerably longer. Touching these blisters, and then touching other areas of the body can spread this infection to these other areas.

Persons with the herpes simplex virus will also experience headache, fever, enlargement of lymph nodes, painful urination, and urinary retention. Men may also experience a urethral discharge, while women may experience a vaginal discharge.

While men are unlikely to experience further serious complications of the herpes simplex, women with herpes simplex may experience complications when pregnant. Although not yet conclusively established, many believe that there may be a direct link between herpes simplex and cervical cancer.

In rare cases, the herpes virus may spread to the brain. This will cause a condition called herpes encephalitis, a life-threatening condition. Although treatment with the drug acyclovir (Zovirax), an antiviral drug, is capable of curing the encephalitis, up to 60% of the survivors will sustain some sort of permanent brain damage.

What Is The Treatment For Herpes Simplex?

While the herpes simplex virus cannot be cured, the symptoms can be alleviated. The drug Acyclovir helps to reduce the severity of the initial episode, and is also administered to treat subsequent episodes. Acyclovir is administered for 7 to 10 days until the lesions fully heal.

How Can Herpes Simplex Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent herpes simplex is to avoid unprotected sex. Herpes simplex may be transmitted through genital-genital contact, but it is important to remember that it may also be transmitted through oral-genital contact. Condoms are usually recommended to prevent transmission of herpes simplex. However, not all of the lesions may be covered by the condom. Any person engaging in sexual activity with a person infected with herpes simplex, must refrain from touching any lesions, especially uncovered lesions. The person infected with herpes simplex must also avoid touching any lesions to eliminate the possibility of spreading the infection to other parts of their bodies.

Because there is no cure, prevention is especially important for herpes simplex. Currently, The National Institute of Health is testing an HSV-2 vaccine. However, its use is limited to women who have no history of HSV-1 exposure. For now, safe sex practices are the best way to prevent the spread of this highly infectious disease.

Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet's most popular topics. To read more on this topic, please visit Don't Let Herpes Ruin Your Life!

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Stress, Nutrition and the Herpes Virus...

                

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Herpes is a virus that really feeds of the host's central nervous system. When a person who has the herpes virus is on top of their game, the virus is kept silent. Hiding in the nerves by site of infection, but when stress strikes it's like a red flag to the virus - Party time for old HSV. (Funny how it has the same initials as a big red car).

Often it is just when a person think ' nothing else can happen', when the Herpes appears to say, "remember me" with Dr Evil grin. The best way to avoid Herpes outbreaks, and to minimize them when they do occur is to really deal with the stress. Some types are harder then others to deal with i.e. it may be easier to cut back on caffeine then it is to lock your partner in the closet to feel calm.

Improving diet can help with minimizing stress hugely, just think of all the unnecessary preservatives, crap, caffeine, sugar and chemical whoseewhatsit that is for sale in supermarkets around the world. If your body is taking, absorbing and digesting real foods - foods it knows and understands then the body's stress will be less. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, fish and fresh meats are food the body readily recognizes. All of our enzymes have a specific food group that they deal to, and when there are chemically created and non-healthful foods being ingested daily the balance is well and truly thrown off. And the Herpes Virus is there to jump out and feed on that.

The Herpes virus feeds on arginine rich foods and is inhibited by lysine rich foods. If you have the Herpes virus chances are you have heard of these two amino acids - if not it is time to meet them. High Lysine Foods include Fish, Chicken, Lamb, Milk, Brewers yeast, Mung beans, Sprouts and Oat flakes. High Arginine Foods (to avoid during outbreak) are Peanuts, Pecans, Cashews, Almonds, Chocolate, Peas, Garlic, Ginseng, Whole wheat. It is a good idea to adopt this guideline around any stressful time.

It is great to take a note of the Arginine-lysine factor when dealing with stress and the Herpes virus, as some of the foods are classic ones our hands go out to when we want to feel better, particularly chocolate and bread. It's not hard to eliminate these for a short while when the other option is suffering a Herpes virus outbreak. For other dietary options it is a great idea to see a naturopath who can provide a tailor-made you specific plan.

Other ways a naturopath can help eliminate the outbreaks of the Herpes virus is to provide a plan whereby stress is dealt with easily, and it is comfortable to keep healthy with an impenetrable immune system.

The Herpes virus is a serious condition and can be severe with a lot of people. The stigma attached to having the Herpes virus also adds to the stress, especially genital Herpes. A great stress reducing activity could be to join a Herpes chat room, or tell a close friend, so you always have someone to talk about it with. Having information is always really useful to not only recovery but to a life and health extraordinary.

Stephanie Young is a renown Naturopath and Medical Herbalist; she has practiced in the field of complementary medicine for 8 years. Visit her HerpesFree website for tips and strategies on living free fromHerpes

Herpes 101 - An Introduction To The Herpes Simplex Virus

                

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There is often great confusion when it comes to herpes. Just the word "herpes" often conjures up images of a particularly nasty sexually transmitted disease. But did you know that herpes actually stems from a virus known as the herpes simplex virus? And were you aware, that the chances are that you have already caught it at some stage during your life? In fact, statistics show that around 85% of the world's population has been infected, and it is in fact the hardest virus to control known to man. However, this is often where the confusion stems from. You see, there are two strains of the virus, known as herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2).

Herpes simplex 1 is the most common strain and is the cause of cold sores and fever blisters that appear around the mouth, lips and gums. Now everyone's heard of a cold sore, but did you know that it is in fact oral herpes. Despite around 85% of the population being infected with HSV-1, not all people will develop cold sores or lesions around the mouth. This is because each person's immune system is unique and many are able to suppress an outbreak. Instead, the virus lies dormant, although a carrier will still be able to pass the virus on under certain conditions.

The second strand of the virus, herpes simplex 2, is the virus responsible for genital herpes. Genital herpes is one of the most prevalent STDs, and more worryingly, research shows that there has been 32% rise in the U.S alone between 1978 and 1990. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 5 American teenagers and adults is infected with HSV-2. The symptoms of genital herpes usually occur within 2 weeks of contracting the virus. The area infected can include the genitals, rectum, buttocks, thighs, or any other part of the body where the virus could have entered through broken skin. Small red bumps appear first which develop into itchy blisters. Other common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, difficulty urinating, vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area.

The symptoms usually last 1-2 weeks. Once infected, HSV remains in the nerve cells of your body for life, and outbreaks (recurrence) can occur several times a year. Despite there still being no cure, scientists are confident that a vaccination will be developed in the next 5 years. However, an effective treatment to reduce the pain and recurrence of symptoms is Acyclovir (Zovirax), which is an antiviral medication. This can be taken in an ointment form, liquid, orally, or even intravenously depending on the severity of the outbreak. Always consult your doctor before taking any new course of medication.

An old clich? is that prevention is better than cure, and this certainly applies to herpes. Never engage in oral sex if your partner has either mouth herpes or genital herpes. Never share towels, cutlery or a toothbrush with an infected person. Always practice safe sex. Using a condom can significantly reduce the risk of transmission, although it is by no means 100% effective, since it may not cover all infected areas. Valtrex, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, may offer the best hope to sufferers at the present time. It can significantly reduce the chance of transmission, although the person infected must take it continuously.

Caroline Smith is an author and regular contributor to http://www.about-herpes.com - An educational resource with information on genital herpes, cold sores, shingles and other diseases caused by the herpes simplex virus.