How to Treat Herpes

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Herpes Simplex Virus – Seven Myths and Facts

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herpes simplex virus myths and factsHaving herpes simplex virus or blisters in America is not a new thing. Around 85 million people have suffered from this disease at some point in their lives. Interestingly, most of them had this disease when there were less than 3 years of age. Herpes spreads fast because whenever a baby is kissed by his or her relatives, the virus automatically transmits on the skin.

You have seen how easy it is to get infected by herpes? This is why it is so popular. When something is popular, it is not surprising that people are debating over it. This debate usually gives birth to some myths, which should be clarified through educating people with facts as eliminating myths is important for protecting ourselves. In this short article, we will talk about 7 myths and facts regarding herpes.

Myth: Herpes simplex virus only attacks certain types of people.

Fact: There are no such certain types of people who are targeted by herpes virus. It is very common and it can happen to anyone.

Myth: It only infects people who do not keep themselves clean or not having personal hygiene.

Fact: Herpes virus has nothing to do with dirt or cleanliness. Herpes can attack anyone who is sexually active.

Myth: Herpes that occur on mouth are not the same as the sores in genital area.

Fact: Both these cold sores are actually the same. The cold sores on the mouth get transmitted to the genital area through oral or genital sex. This is the one of the main causes of genital herpes.

Myth: People will know that they are currently having herpes.

Fact: This is an insane myth as it does not allow people to realize that they are already having it. It is not important that you come to know when you are suffering from herpes. Around 80% of people do not even know that have herpes as there are mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Myth: Herpes passes through blood.

Fact: This is not true as herpes is not something that lives in the blood. Whether it is oral or genital herpes, it will pass through direct skin contact.

Myth 6: A cervical smear test or STI check is done for diagnosing herpes only.

Fact: Routine sexual health checks and cervical smear tests are not for diagnosing herpes. Tests for diagnosing herpes are done only when a person has some symptoms of herpes.

Myth: People who had or are having herpes cannot have kids.

Fact: Herpes simplex virus does not affect that fertility of a man or woman. On the other hand, sometimes the disease may pass to the infant but it is rare and can be prevented by informing the doctor that you or your partner carrier herpes before the delivery.

The Difference Between Herpes and Shingles

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shingles image
This is an image of shingles. The appearance is almost the same with herpes.

Herpes and shingles are very different diseases with different symptoms and ways of transmission. On the other hand, both diseases are caused by the herpes viruses. In this article, you will know the difference between these two diseases.

Several members of this virus can trigger disease but this article will focus on herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 and varicella-zoster virus. Herpes type 1 and type 2 cause herpes whereas the varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox in kids and then shingles later in life.

Herpes and shingles are very common. Based on a survey, 90% of people in the United States have been exposed to HSV 1 and the CDC estimates that 32% of American will experience shingles at some point of their lives.

One of the most clinical properties of herpes simplex virus is its ability to develop a latent infection. Meaning to say, this virus can stay dormant inside the human body and will become reactivated in certain conditions, and show symptoms after the primary infection. This reactivation can be triggered by local injury, emotional stress, menstrual periods, sun light exposure, trauma, etc. On the other hand, the most prominent factor, especially to shingles outbreaks among adults is general age-related decline in the immune system known as immunosenescence.

Although modern treatment may treat the symptoms and shorten the duration of herpes and shingles attacks, many doctors disregard the potential therapeutic role of a heartburn drug known as cimetidine in dealing with herpes infections. Despite of the several published studies that have shown cimetidine significantly efficiently eases the symptoms of shingles and shorten the duration of outbreaks, the conventional medical establishment has failed to recommend this cheap treatment to adults suffering from this excruciating condition. Unfortunately, this is maybe because cimetidine has been off patent for numerous years and is no longer financed by pharmaceutical companies although it contains relief to patients suffering from shingles.

Can Honey Cure Herpes?

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honey cure herpesFor thousands of years, honey has been utilized for its wound and antibacterial properties. It is not surprising why many groups of scientists have decided to study it as potential cure for herpes.

Although there are only few clinical trials of honey as a treatment for herpes there have been some studies that examined the efficacy of both honey and propolis (another bee product) for treating the symptoms of herpes. Luckily, these studies have been successful.

The biggest published human study employed 90 patients carrying herpes to try one of three treatments during their outbreaks: placebo ointment, topical acyclovir, and propolis treatment. They found out that patients who used propolis experienced faster healing of their lesions. They were healed in 10 days of treatment than those patients who used topical acyclovir and placebo ointment.

A small study employed 8 patients with genital herpes and 8 patients with oral herpes. They randomize each patient with either topical acyclovir or honey and then honey on the two subsequent outbreaks. This specific study allowed the scientists to manage the differences between how patients experience outbreaks. It found out that the length of each outbreak, pain duration, and healing time were faster with honey compared to topical acyclovir.

A laboratory study of at least five studies has looked at how the propolis affects herpes virus in vitro and all have suggested that it exerts a moderate inhibitory effect. These studies conclude that even relatively low amounts of propolis extracts can be efficient at disrupting the replication of herpes simplex virus.

In summary, these studies conclude that topical application of honey may have a beneficial effect in the healing process of herpes lesions. Although alternative and complementary medicine trials can be hard to fund and publish, further studies are definitely indicated, and it will be valuable to see if the results are positive in the future studies. It would be fascinating to see how effective honey is compared to topical acyclovir. It can be used as a suppressive treatment for individuals who are still suffering from outbreaks. This is a good candidate for a research project.

What is Herpes?

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Genital herpes is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus or HSV. This is a sexually transmitted disease. This kind of virus affects the genital areas as well as other parts of the body. There are actually 2 types of HSV, and they are HSV1 and HSV2.

Herpes is categorized as a chronic condition. This means that this is a long-term disease. However, there are numerous people do not manifest symptoms even though they have the disease. Many people also suffer from recurring genital herpes. If an individual is initially infected with herpes, then the recurrences tend to happen more frequently. The remission periods will get longer. Every occurrence tends to become less intense with time. HSV is very contagious and it can be easily transmitted to humans. This can be transmitted by direct contact. When a person becomes infected with the disease, it will remain dormant.

Most people with HSV do not know that they are carrying it because the symptoms are very slight. Many people cannot notice symptoms. So what are the symptoms of herpes? The blatant symptoms of herpes are generally in the form of blisters on the genital areas and sores around the mouth.

Many people do not have obvious symptoms for months or even years after being infected. For those who have symptoms on the initial period, they will notice it around four to seven days after becoming infected.

Here is a good video from YouTube explaining what is herpes:

Primary Infection Symptoms

This is a term applied for an outbreak of herpes that is apparent when an individual is infected for the first time. When primary infection is experienced, they are more severe compared to subsequent recurrences. The symptoms can last around 20 days and they may include:

  • Vaginal discharge
  • Blisters and ulceration on the cervix
  • Fever
  • Pain during urination
  • Cold sores around the mouth
  • Malaise
  • Red blisters – these blisters are very painful. They will soon burst and leave ulcers on the genital areas, buttocks, thighs, and rectum. The ulcers, in most cases, will heal and will not leave any scars.

Recurrent Infection Symptoms

These kinds of symptoms do not last long and they are less severe because the body has become immune to the virus. Usually, they will not last for more than ten days. The symptoms are:

  • Cold sores around the mouth
  • Burning around genitals before the blisters appear
  • Women may have blisters and ulceration on the cervix
  • Red blisters

Eventually, recurrences will happen less severe and less often. People with HSV 1 will experience less severe symptoms and fewer recurrences compared to people with HSV 2. When the virus is present on the skin of the infected individual, it can be easily transmitted to another individual through the moist skin that lines the mouth, genitals, and anus. It can also be transmitted to another individual through other parts of the skin including the eyes.

A person cannot be infected by touching things like washbasin or towel, which has been touch by a person with HSV. It has to be in direct contact with the infected person to become infected.

Below are some ways HSV can be transmitted:

  • Having oral sex with an infected person
  • Having unprotected sex
  • Having genital contact with an infected person
  • Sharing sex toys

Herpes simplex virus leaves the skin before blisters start to appear. This virus can be transmitted before blisters develops, when it visible, and even when the blister has been completely healed. HSV can still be passed to another person even if there are no symptoms. If a pregnant woman has herpes, then it is possible that the virus can be passed onto the baby.