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Genital Herpes Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for the herpes virus. However, certain medications can decrease the frequency and the severity of outbreaks.

Oral Medication for the Treatment of Genital Herpes

Oral medications are effective in treating both the primary infection and recurrent outbreaks. When taken orally, medications reduce the healing time, virus shedding period, and duration of vesicles.

Patients with frequent outbreaks (greater than six to eight per year) may benefit from long term use of oral medications which is called "suppressive therapy." Patients on suppressive therapy have longer periods between herpes outbreaks. The specific dosage used for suppression needs to be determined for each patient and should be reevaluated every few years. Alternatively, patients may use short term suppressive therapy to lessen the chance of developing an active infection during special occasions such as weddings or holidays.

Alternative treatments have also been shown in clinical trials to help reduce the frequency and the severity of outbreaks. An imbalance in the amino acids lysine and arginine is thought to be one contributing factor in herpes virus outbreaks. Researchers believe that by increasing the ratio of lysine to arginine through taking supplemental lysine or eating foods rich in the amino acid: lamb, cheese, egumes, fish, turkey, beef, and chicken. Patients may take 500 mg of lysine daily and increase to 1,000 mg three times a day during an outbreak. I

In order to increase the ratio of lysine to arginine individuals should also make an effort to decrease their intake of the amino acid arginine Foods rich in arginine that should be avoided are chocolate, peanuts, almonds, and other nuts and seeds.

Some herbs additional herbs that have received noteworthy attention for increasing the immune system helping to reduce the number of infections. The following herbs highlight this list:

• Echinacea (Echinacea spp.)
• Garlic (Allium sativum)
• Marine Algae (dumontiaceae)
• Topical ointments may be beneficial if they contain: glycyrrhizinic acid, components of licorice glycyrrhiza glabra, vitamin E, tea oil, Melaleuca spp, baking soda compresses

Clinical studies also show that there is a positive correlation between levels of stress and the severity and number of outbreaks. Stress management and relaxation exercises i.e. yoga, tai chi, meditation, and hypnotherapy.

There are several other things that a patient may do to lessen the pain of genital lesions including the following:

• Wear loose fitting clothing and cotton underwear.
• Using a blow dryer on the "cool" setting to dry the infected area.
• Placing an ice pack on the affected area for 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes off and then repeating this procedure.
• Removing clothing or wearing loose pajamas while at home.
• Soaking in a tub of warm water.
• Topical ointments may be beneficial if they contain: glycyrrhizinic acid, components of licorice glycyrrhiza glabra, vitamin E, tea oil, Melaleuca spp, baking soda compresses.

Protection From the Virus.

Since genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease individuals can protect themselves by abstaining from sexual contact. The consistent and proper use of latex condoms can also provide some protection against infection. Condoms do not provide 100% protection, unfortunately, the condom may not adequately cover the entire region where the herpetic lesions reside allowing viral shedding. If a partner has genital herpes there should be an abstinence from sex until the lesions are no longer present.

Individuals should also adhere to the following to prevent the spread of the virus:

• Practice abstinence
• Limit the number of sexual partners you have in your lifetime
• Make sure that you and your sexual partner use condoms every time you have sex
• Wash your hands with soap and water following contact with the sores (already infected with the virus)
• Keep the infected area clean and dry to prevent other infections from developing (already infected with
  the virus)
• Avoid scratching and/or touching the sores (already infected with the virus)
• Refrain from sexual contact from the first sign of a recurrent episode until the lesions are completely healed (already infected with the virus)