Herpes Research

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Herpes ResearchNeither genital nor oral herpes have a cure. They are treatable and there is research being done to provide more treatment options for herpes, and to find a cure for these two types of viral infections.

Herpes infections are hard to treat and do research on for a cure, because the virus hides in nerve cells and lies dormant for non-specific periods of time. When the viral infection is latent it is effectively invisible to not only the immune system, but to the drugs trying to eradicate the disease. During outbreaks a part of the infection will become active, causing a flare up. But again part of the virus stays hidden in the nerve cells making it impossible for any treatment to fully cure the disease.

Duke University Research on Herpes

Current research on herpes includes a discovery by researchers at Duke University of a piece of the viral genome that codes the proteins enabling HSV-1 or the oral herpes virus, hide through dormant periods. This might enable scientists to create a drug to switch off the latent breaks so that the virus is forced out of hiding and can be eradicated by an antiviral treatment or some other drug.

While this type of treatment might create a severe flare up in order bring the virus out of hiding, finding an opportunity to completely rid the body of herpes and eradicate the disease would be a positive step. While steps have been taken, it can take years for a cure to be developed and approved for humans. But this research step for a cure for herpes gives sufferers hope that someday they may have curative options along with the suppressive therapy.

Harvard University Research on Herpes

In studies done on mice, research scientists at Harvard have found a new way to protect them against HSV-2 or the genital herpes virus. Herpes simplex virus 2 can be a co-factor for AIDS transmission. It is believed that if scientists can find a way to protect against genital herpes they could also help guard humans from getting AIDS. Again the research is a first step and it may be years before we see something that is approved for human treatment or inoculation against genital herpes or AIDS.

These studies utilize siRNA and RNAi. The terms siRNA means small interfering RNA. RNA is ribonucleic acid, which is similar to DNA. RNA has many duties within the cell including transcribing information found in the DNA. The siRNA compounds have the ability to suppress the activity of some disease-causing genes. This ability has been labeled RNAi, which stands for RNA interference. This siRNA is what has been found to protect the mice from herpes simplex type 2.

It is believed that siRNA could be given to someone who doesn’t have genital herpes to protect them from the disease, and to those who have genital herpes to reduce the pain, the amount of viral shedding, and the risk of giving genital herpes to a partner.

RNAi-based drugs are seriously being considered and tested for HSV-2 infections, and for their ability to protect against other diseases like AIDS, flu, hepatitis, malaria and more.

Statistics show that while about twenty percent of the United States adult population has been infected with HSV-2, the numbers in Africa reflect that about eighty percent of its population has been infected. If you have HSV-2 or genital herpes this means that you have three times the risk of being infected with HIV, or AIDS, than someone who doesn’t have genital herpes.

This is because HSV-2 erodes and inflames layers of skin both in and around the genitals. These skin layers provide a barrier to the AIDS virus. When genital herpes weakens this natural barrier, it is easier to transmit the virus that causes AIDS. So finding something that keeps humans from getting genital herpes could ultimately decrease AIDS transmission.

Other Herpes Research

There are many other research studies and clinical trials being done on finding both a cure for herpes and to find better treatments for the disease.

There are several studies being done on the effects of resveratrol on herpes. So far this research has determined that the natural substance known as resveratrol can inhibit replication of the herpes simplex virus. Resveratrol cream has also been found to inhibit or reduce HSV replication in the vagina of mice, and that it limits extravaginal disease.

For more information on the study of resveratrol and herpes, see here.

Summary

Herpes research is ongoing and is being done in the leading institutions both in the United States and in other areas of the world. There are many exiting things being discovered and tested that may make a big impact on finding a cure for this currently incurable disease. It might be years before this research culminates in treatments, but there is progress being made.

Herpes in Men

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Herpes in MenWhile genital herpes or an HSV-2 infection may be more common in women, this is because it is easier for an infected male to transmit the disease to female partners than it is for a female to give the disease to any male. The Center for Disease Control Statistics show that in the age group of 14 to 49 years old, one out of five women and one out of nine men have genital herpes.

To see the CDC fact sheet on genital herpes see here.

For oral herpes the statistics show that as many as 80% of the adult population in the United States may have oral herpes or HSV-1.

Oral Herpes in Men

Herpes simplex 1 or HSV-1 is commonly called oral herpes. The physical symptoms of this viral infection are often referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. In men and women these sores will often occur on or around the mouth. There is also a form of this disease called oral-facial herpes in which the blisters or sores will show up in clusters on the chin, cheek, or even in or around the nose.

Men can mistake the early stages of oral herpes for a pimple, razor burn, a small crack at the side of the mouth, or a bug bite. The sores can be an itchy or tingly red bump. They can look like small white sores or blisters. If you or your partner has open oral herpes sores around or in their mouth, oral herpes can be transferred to the genital area during oral sex.

Typically oral herpes symptoms will start as an aching pain or burning in the lip area. Men with oral herpes may also have swollen throat glands or swelling in other lymph glands. They can also experience a low grade fever or a sore throat.

In the beginning men may have oral herpes that looks like one single cold sore or a cluster of blisters with red and swollen skin surrounding the breakout area. Once they’ve appeared the sores will generally break open within a few days, leak a clear fluid, and then scab over. They will generally heal and disappear within about ten days. Oral herpes will go through dormant periods and then reappear at any time.

Stress, illness, or overexposure to sun can precipitate a flare up of oral herpes. Many men who have oral herpes have such mild symptoms that they don’t realize they have this viral illness.

Oral herpes is highly contagious during an outbreak. It can be transferred to anyone by kissing or coming into contact with someone who is infected. Many children get oral herpes from a quick and casual kiss from an infected relative.

Genital Herpes in Men

Herpes simplex 2 or HSV-2 is commonly called genital herpes. On men this type of herpes has physical symptoms that will often show up as small groups of blisters on their penis or scrotum. The small sores may also form on the anus, urethra, buttocks, thighs, and if you participated in oral sex with an infected person during an outbreak, you can get genital herpes sores around the mouth area.

Typically the small blisters will pop, leak a clear fluid and then form a scab a few days after they appear. Once the sores have scabbed over it will generally take them about ten days to heal completely.

Estimates are that over 90% of the men and women who have the viral infection known as genital herpes, don’t realize that they have the disease. Men will often mistake the symptoms for razor burn, pimples or ingrown hairs, bug bites, and even jock itch.

There are many signs and symptoms that can indicate that you have genital herpes, these include:

  • Itchy or tingly feeling in the genital area
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Feeling like you might be coming down with the flu
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Pain or burning sensation around the buttocks and anus
  • Raw or burning sensation on the skin that may feel as if you had rug burn, or like you have a slight sunburn around the genitals and buttocks.
  • Depression and irritability
  • Muscle aches
  • Tender or swollen lymph nodes around the genital area

The tingling or slight burning sensation in the skin can serve as an early warning sign that you are about to have an outbreak. You can start antiviral medication at this time to minimize the effects of the flare-up and to help you heal faster.

Summary

While there is no cure for herpes in men or women, there are things you can do to minimize the effect of the disease on your life and that will help you heal faster, keeping outbreaks to a minimum. Talk to your doctor about your herpes symptoms if you haven’t been diagnosed. The diagnosis will allow the doctor to prescribe anti-viral treatments that may help you minimize the symptoms of the disease and the frequency of outbreaks by as much as fifty percent.

Remember that both oral and genital herpes are highly contagious with skin-to-skin contact. Treating the disease properly will minimize the risk of passing this disease to someone else.

Herpes Outbreak

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Herpes OutbreakHerpes Simplex Type 1 and 2 are incurable viral infections which cycle through resting periods where there are no signs or symptoms of the disease, and flare-ups or outbreaks. Since there is no cure and you can be affected with outbreaks for the rest of your life, managing the outbreaks becomes a lifestyle if you want any control over your life and the disease.

Understanding Herpes Simplex Outbreaks

Herpes Simplex can go into a dormant or resting period where the organism attaches itself to the nerve cells. While resting there are no signs or symptoms. As herpes simplex can’t be cured, this dormant period doesn’t mean you no longer have the disease, it just means it isn’t currently active in your body. Not having symptoms or signs doesn’t mean you aren’t contagious; you can still spread herpes simplex even without visible signs of an outbreak. Some people can go for years without an outbreak and others may have them frequently.

Type 1 or HSV-1 Herpes Outbreaks

Oral herpes or Herpes Simplex type 1 is called this because the small fever blisters or sores typically form on the inside of the mouth, around the lips, or near the mouth. The outbreak can start with numbness or tingling in the area where small sores or blisters will develop. These blisters can develop into painful ulcers. They can ooze clear fluid, which is highly contagious, then will form a crust or scab and heal in about ten days. The ulcers are generally referred to as cold sores.

Other outward signs can be red and swollen gums, a white glaze on the tongue, as well as muscle aches, fever, general malaise or just not feeling well. You may also have swollen glands in your neck, be irritable, and have trouble eating. These signs of an outbreak can last for several weeks.

Illness like a cold or the flue, stress, hormonal changes in the body, and even things like getting a tooth taken out, can cause the virus to flare up and begin an outbreak.

Type 2 or HSV-2 Outbreaks

Herpes Simplex type 2 is also known as genital herpes. A genital herpes outbreak will generally start with an itchy feeling, tenderness, or pain in the genital area. The glands in the genital area can also be swollen and sore. You may experience a headache, fever, and generally feeling of sickness—kind of like coming down with the flu.

Men may get blisters on their penis. Women will generally have blisters around the vagina and in the cervix. You can also get blisters on the upper legs and the buttocks. These blisters will ooze a clear white fluid, form crusts or scabs and heal over within a couple weeks. Other, less common symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak include pain or burning while urinating and a clear discharge from the vagina or penis.

Just like HSV-1, the outbreaks may not have any recognizable symptoms. There are many people who have genital herpes and don’t realize they have it. The outbreaks may be so insignificant that the blisters or sores are mistaken for razor rash, ingrown hairs, or pimples. There may be no sign at all, or the symptoms may be severe during an outbreak.

Genital herpes cycles just like oral herpes, going through dormant and active cycles for the rest of your life. Typically the first outbreak of genital herpes is the most severe, however the signs, symptoms, and severity are very individual. When someone with herpes simplex type 2 is having an outbreak, they are very contagious.

For more pictures and more information on what a herpes outbreak might look like see here.

Lifestyle Changes to Decrease Frequency and Severity of Herpes Outbreaks

It is important to understand the role of your immune system and your body’s ability to fight stress which can lead to a herpes simplex outbreak. Stress and illness are the two main triggers for an outbreak.

If your body is healthy and you can handle stress without difficulty, you will find that you won’t have as many outbreaks. There are many things you can do to help your body handle outbreaks including:

  • Find a way to deal with stress. Whether it is deep breathing exercises, yoga, or a steady work out program, these activities can help you handle the stress in your life.
  • If you have painful or itchy genital herpes you can take a warm bath with Epsom salt. This can help you de-stress, as well as providing soothing relief.
  • You can apply ice directly to the area if it is sore or itchy.
  • Wear loose, cotton underwear during a genital herpes outbreak.
  • Wash the breakout area with lukewarm water and pat it dry. Keep your hands clean to keep the virus from spreading.

With an oral herpes outbreak you should refrain from kissing or any oral contact as you are contagious. With a genital herpes outbreak you should avoid sexual intercourse as you are contagious.