Category Archives: Treatment

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.

Genital Herpes Treatment

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Genital Herpes Treatment Currently there is no cure for genital herpes. Treatment goals for this viral disease are to provide relief from the symptoms, which can include painful sores, and to shorten the ten to fifteen days it typically takes for an outbreak to heal.

A secondary treatment goal would be to lengthen the time between outbreaks or help genital herpes sufferers go outbreak free for increasingly long periods of time.

In treating each outbreak it has been found that the earlier the treatment begins the more effective it will be in relieving symptoms and shortening healing. This is very important for those who suffer from recurrent outbreaks, or those that have symptoms again and again.

Primary Outbreak Treatment

The primary or first outbreak of genital herpes is typically the most severe as your body hasn’t manufactured anti-bodies to fight the viral infection. If you realize that you have genital herpes the earlier you seek treatment the better.

Many of those recently infected with the disease will get relief and recover faster from the primary outbreak if they take antiviral medication. This medication will help speed the healing of blisters and sores, and can relieve symptoms of pain, headache, muscle aches, and more.

The antiviral medicines recommended for the treatment of primary genital herpes outbreaks include:

  • Acyclovir or Zovirax
  • Famciclovir or Famvir
  • Valacyclovir or Valtrex

It is important to note that while antiviral medicine can decrease the amount of time it takes for this first outbreak to heal, it will not prevent recurrence of the disease. At this time there is no cure for herpes. Antiviral medications may also lesson the amount of time that you are contagious and can spread the infection.

To treat the pain, fever, and other flu-like symptoms that can occur with genital herpes the nonprescription drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are typically recommended.

Sufferers may also elect to use home treatments such as a warm sitz bath using Epsom salts to relieve the pain and itching in the genital area. They should make sure to pat the skin dry and wear loose cotton underwear to allow the herpes sores to heal.

If you have symptoms and signs of genital herpes you should avoid all sexual contact during an outbreak or flare up in order to prevent the spread of this viral disease.

Recurring Outbreak Treatment

Treatment of recurring outbreaks will likely be dependant on the severity of the outbreak, how long they take to heal, and how often they occur. If the outbreaks are severe, take several weeks to heal, and occur often, then the sufferer may elect to take antiviral medication for treatment or your doctor may recommend this treatment.

Taking an antiviral medicine can reduce the healing time for the genital herpes ulcers, just as it did with the primary outbreak. This medicine may also prevent some outbreaks and can decrease the possibility of transmitting genital herpes to any sexual partner.

There are two ways that genital herpes sufferers can use antiviral medications. They can take an antiviral medicine every day, or on an as needed bases.

Those who take an antiviral medication every day are trying to reduce frequency of recurrent outbreaks and shorten the amount of time the outbreak takes to heal. For those that have many outbreaks a year the use of a daily antiviral may be able to reduce the number of outbreaks by one or two episodes a year. There have been studies done that show those who take a daily dose of valacyclovir, and are in a single partner, monogamous relationship—may cut the risk in half of infecting their partner. Other antiviral medicine may do the same thing with a daily dose but have yet to be studied and proven.

Those who have prodromal symptoms and learn to recognize this tingling and pain as precursors to an episode may decide to take an antiviral medication when they feel a recurrent outbreak starting. An as needed basis means that the antiviral is a higher dose taken for two to three days instead of a lower dose taken every day.

Natural Treatment for Genital Herpes

Natural treatment at home may be the treatment of choice for those who have genital herpes outbreaks that don’t occur very often and are not very severe. Those taking antiviral medications may also want to add some of the natural remedies to their treatment regime. These treatments focus on relieving symptoms, may help reduce the risk of new outbreaks, and provide ways to cope with a condition that has no cure.

Natural treatments include:

  • Sitz baths which are warm baths with Epsom salt added to the water. You sit in the bath until the water is cool, soaking the sores and blisters. Be careful to pat dry afterward and not wipe. You can take the baths three to four times a day, or wash the area several times a day with warm water and pat dry. For comfort you can even use a hair dryer to blow yourself dry instead of using a towel.
  • Wear loose fitting clothes if you have an active outbreak. Cotton underwear is better than synthetic due to the absorbency of the material.
  • Use nonprescription medicines like Advil and Tylenol to lesson the pain and fever.

Stress and illness can increase the frequency and severity of genital herpes outbreaks, as can overexposure to sun. Learn what triggers your genital herpes and take measures to avoid of lesson your exposure to these triggers. You can exercise and eat right to increase the strength of your immune system. Avoid stress, fatigue, and any irritation to the genital area.

Check to see if you know the facts of Genital Herpes by taking this Quiz.

Genital Herpes Medicine

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Help Is Available

Genital Herpes MedicineGenital herpes medicine is an effective tool required for those that are facing the herpes simplex virus.  There are many cases in which individuals are facing this disease and the numbers are rising.It is estimated that one in every four women that is sexually active has the genital herpes virus, known as HSV 2 .  What’s more, the HSV virus in total is infecting one out of every six people.  Millions are infected and because it is so easy to spread the disease from person to person, there does not look to be any way of slowing the disease down.  That is until people get the herpes simplex medications that they need.

Genital Herpes Prevention

While herpes medications are important and they do work very well, there is no better medicine than prevention.  In order to prevent the spread of herpes, those that have it must take extra precautions.  They must know when they have an outbreak of the disease .  They should also know that they can not have intimate contact with others during this time and always take precautions regarding herpes such as wearing a condom at all times.

In addition, those that do not have genital herpes can still get the herpes prevention that they need.  Learn what herpes rashes look like.  You can use a picture of herpes to help you.  If you are with someone that has cold sores or fever blisters on their mouth this may be a form of oral herpes called herpes labialis .  Those that have this type of the disease should not kiss others or share utensils with them during an outbreak.

Medications And How They Work

Herpes simplex medicine is available in several forms, all of which offers a unique way to help individuals to overcome their symptoms of herpes .  There is no cure for herpes and that means that the only treatment option available is through the help of herpes medication.  The type of medications given for herpes is antiviral drugs.  They help to keep individuals free of symptoms for a longer period of time.  They also make outbreaks of herpes less severe when they do happen.  What’s more, they can help keep you from spreading the disease as readily to others.

There are three frequently used drugs for this reason.  To treat genital herpes symptoms, doctors often prescribe one of the following.

  • Acyclovir under the brand name of Zovirax is one medication
  • Famciclovir under the brand name of Famvir is another medication
  • Valacyclovir under the brand name of Valtrex is a third commonly used medication.

Each of these are give to the patient in the form of a pill.  But, if there is a serious infection which could be life threatening, acyclovir can be given to patients through an IV.  In most cases, doctors will recommend that you avoid formulas and ointments for the treatment of herpes symptoms .

In most cases, doctors will give you medications to keep on hand for your herpes outbreaks .  These herpes simplex medicine treatments can then be taken at the beginning of an outbreak.  Other times, doctors can give you a low dose of medication regularly which will help to limit the number of outbreaks that you have, even preventing some of them from happening.  Working with your doctor you can determine the best treatment for herpes for you.

Treatment options for herpes simplex in children will require specialized dosing and medication.  Your doctor will determine what the proper genital herpes or oral herpes medication that is right for you.  Genital herpes medicine can not cure the condition, but it can greatly improve your quality of life as you live with herpes.