Is there a remedy for Herpes?
There are more than ninety viruses that belong to a family of
animal viruses called herpes virdae. Of this family of viruses,
four are known to be important to humans.
Varicella-zoster
causes chickenpox and shingles
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) often is carried without
producing any symptoms, but can have devastating consequences
for newborns and for people with compromised immune systems.
Herpes simplex
This section addresses herpes simplex, which causes cold sores
(fever blisters) and genital herpes.
There are two types of herpes simplex:
Herpes simplex type I (HSV-I)
typically causes cold sores and skin eruptions. In later life,
it may erupt into a form of shingles. It can also cause herpes keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea of the eye. If herpes
repeatedly flares up in the eye, it can lead to scarring and
loss of vision.
Between 20 and 40 percent of the population in the United States
has cold sores caused by HSV-1. As many as twice that number
have been infected with the virus but may never have the sores.
That means that 40 to 80 percent of the population is infected
with this virus.
Herpes simplex type II (HSV-2) is the most prevalent sexually
transmitted disease in the United States. More than 30 million
Americans- one out of every six persons over the age of fifteen-
have the type II infection, though more than half never develop
serious symptoms. This viral infection can range in severity
form a silent infection to a serious inflammation of the liver
with fever. It is especially dangerous to infants. A baby whose
mother is infected can pick u the virus in the birth canal,
creating a risk of brain damage, blindness, and death.
Both oral and genital herpes cause painful fluid-filled blisters
that are highly infectious until they are completely healed,
which can take up to three weeks. In oral herpes, sores usually
appear within two to seven days after initial exposure to the
virus. Recurrent eruptions are common. Some people are bothered
by outbreaks once a year or less, others may get them every few
weeks.
A mild tingling and burning in the vaginal area may be the first
sign of genital herpes in women. Within a matter of a few hours,
blisters develop around the rectum, clitoris, and cervix, and in
the vagina. There is often a watery discharge from the urethra
and pain when urinating. In men, blisters break out on the
penis, groin and scrotum, often with a urethra discharge and
painful urination. Sometimes the penis and foreskin swell. A man
may also have tender, swollen nodes in the groin.
The first attack of genital herpes usually comes four to eight
days after exposure to the virus. It may be so mild that it
isn't noticed, or it may cause itching and burning at the site
of viral entry as well as painful sores that can last a week or
more, plus fever, headache, and other flu like symptoms. After a
few days, pus erupts from the blisters and painful ulcers form.
These sores crust over and dry while healing. Usually, they
leave no scars.
Once they enter the body, herpes viruses never leave. They live
in nerve cells, where the immune system cannot find them, and
they become active from time to time as the immune system is
depressed. The virus may lie dormant for long periods of time,
until illness, sun exposure, fatigue, stress, or some other
factor causes the virus to break out in open sores again.
Fortunately, after a period of time, the virus seems to burn
itself out. Outbreaks rarely appear after the age of fifty.
Until recently, it was assumed that genital herpes could be
transmitted only during a visible outbreak of the disease, but
recent research appears to refute this theory. The only sure way
to avoid genital herpes is to avoid sex, or to remain in a
monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
Notice: Although HSV 1 principally causes cold sores and eye infections
and HSV 2 principally causes genital herpes, both type I and II
can infect either the mouth or the genitals - or both.
Oral sex
can spread the virus from one place to another.
Supporting your immune system should be your first goal. A
weakened immune system is more prone to outbreaks.
Echinacea and Acidophilus are both great supplements to take
everyday to keep your immune system strong.
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