Herpes Treatment and Symptoms
Caused by a viral infection of the Herpes Simplex Viruses or HSV, with the arrival of the herpes symptoms, the doctor and the patient know that there has been an infection. But herpes symptoms can differ in degree from one person to another and also in the time it takes for them to appear. While in some the herpes symptoms can take just a couple of days to appear, in others, it can sometimes take months. Also, the first symptoms are so light that often it becomes difficult to identify that these are actually symptoms of herpes. But there are those in whom the herpes symptoms are strong right from the very beginning itself. Does it mean that in them, the infection is deeper than others? Well, that is not the case.
Yes that is the reality. The disease is surprisingly common in the US and beyond and according to studies, as many as 50 percent of the adult population suffer from the infection at least sometime in their lives. So naturally, herpes symptoms are also quite common.
The Herpes Simplex or the HSV virus can be further classified as HSV 1 and HSV 2. HSV 1 causes oral herpes that is also known as cold sores.
When someone is infected with HSV 1, the person is likely to get herpes symptoms in the face or the mouth area. In the beginning there is just a little bit of itching or burning in the nose or the mouth. And then it started to become red – the blisters containing fluids start to appear at this stage. There may be just one or two blisters, or a cluster of many. The blisters also tend to vary in size.
An infection with HSV 2 on the other hand causes genital herpes and the herpes symptoms for this appear in the genital areas of men and women. However it has been seen that ladies have a higher risk of getting the disease than their male counterparts. HSV 2 is basically a sexually transmitted disease that spreads through sexual contact with an affected person.
Herpes symptoms of HSV 2 in men are mostly in the penis or the areas close to it. But in ladies, the symptoms of genital herpes in the form of lesions can be both outside and inside the vagina. When they are inside the vagina, it can lead to white discharge. So that is also a clear sign of herpes symptoms. Internal lesions are difficult to see as well.
No matter whether it is HSV 1 or HSV 2, or a man or a woman, some symptoms of herpes are common for all. Such as:
- Lymph glands getting inflamed
- A constant headache
- Pain in the body including the lower back
- Fever
- The genitals seem like burning
- Problems and pain during urination
- Discharge from the vagina and the penis
Learn More About Sexually Transmitted Diseases
If you are sexually active, you should be aware of the vast range of sexually transmitted diseases that can affect you. just have a look at the sexually transmitted disease guide we have compiled below & uncover all that you need to know.
There’s a wide variety of sexually transmitted infections & sexually transmitted diseases, so have a glimpse at the info we have given below & learn how to protect yourself against them.
Sexually transmitted infections & sexually transmitted diseases are passed on by sexual contact, containing oral intercourse, anal sex & vaginal intercourse.
Sexually transmitted diseases & stis are very infectious & they can be a cause of discomfort, infertility & plenty of other problems for the sufferer.
Warts are a truly common sti. they’re caused by the human papilloma virus, which can be passed on during sexual contact. However, not all virus sufferers develops genital warts.
A number of sufferers discover the virus will clear itself from the body over time. it is rare for warts to cause any long-term health issues.
Gonorrhea is a really popular sexually transmitted disease, which is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae virus.
As well as genitals, the virus also lives in the rectum, throat and the eyes. infected women can also pass gonorrhea to their newborn infants during delivery, which can give babies eye infections and can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Gonorrhea can usually be treated well with antibiotics, which can be obtained from your dr.
For more help & help on stds and sexually transmitted infections, go and see your regional sexual health centre. they will be able to test you, and also offer treatment.
You can also try visiting your dr for more advice. do not be nervousabout visiting your doctor, they often see problems of a sensitive nature.
The only way to be 100% safe from stds & stis is abstinence. inspite of the cost, if you’re sexually active, you can help to protect you & your partner by having regular std and sti tests. as well as this, you should make sure you always use a condom for any kind of sexual activity. this will also help protect you against unwanted pregnancy.
What Causes Cold Sores – How To Not Get a Cold Sore
What causes cold sores is basically the herpes simplex virus, either type 1 or type 2. Type 1 is what causes cold sores about 81% of the time. Type 2 causes the remaining outbreaks. Both cause identical fever blister, cold sore or oral herpes sores.
When not creating another cold sore, the herpes virus hides deep in the roots of your facial nerves. Two-thirds of those infected will experience one or more cold sore outbreaks in the next 11 months.
The herpes virus only becomes active when it senses the right conditions for replication. The virus will then move up the nerves to the surface, enter the cells, and force them to create virus clones.
The cells burst open when they become full – releasing the new virus particles. The cold sore is a result of thousands of destroyed cells.
There are three triggers creating the perfect environment to activate the herpes simplex virus in our bodies.
1. DROP IN IMMUNE STRENGTH.
The strength of your immunity to herpes virus depends on the quality of the antibodies your body has previously created. Powerful and effective antibodies depend on certain factors.
The most important factor to a strong immune system – the nutrients you get from your diet.
First, consume more vegetables. Organic or local-grown vegetables are ten times better than commercially grown produce because they provide better quality and high quantities of vitamins and minerals.
Second, add a high quality multi-vitamin to your daily routine. This reduces frequency of cold sore and oral herpes outbreaks.
But do not waste your money on cheap drug store vitamins. Go to a real vitamin store. Buy the best you can afford – or you will be very disappointed.
2. CELLS HAVE TOO MUCH ARGININE IN STORAGE.
Lysine and arginine are two amino acids your body needs. And they both have a big effect on cold sores.
Arginine is the main protein needed to construct new herpes virus. If the cell does not have enough arginine available, it cannot create virus clones.
Each cell has special receptors for storing lysine and arginine. More lysine means less arginine in storage. And the good news is – lysine cannot be used to make viruses.
Eat high lysine foods, such as dairy products and fish. This will increase lysine in your cells – and reduce the availability of arginine. Lysine capsules are easy and convenient when you want big amounts of lysine. This is a powerful therapy that can reduce and eliminate cold sores.
3. YOUR pH BALANCE HAS GONE ACID.
Your body was designed to be healthiest when slightly alkaline. This can be measured on the pH scale, which ranges from 1 to 14. Below 7 is acid, above 7 is alkaline.
Your system usually remains between 6.4 and 7.4. Dropping below 6.4 encourages viruses and other chronic diseases – including cold sore outbreaks.
The herpes virus will not activate if your body is alkaline. When you are acid, you will have lower oxygen levels and a weaker immune system. Foods contributing to an acid situation include coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, fat and sugar.
Cold weather (winter cold and flu season) causes an unhealthy drop in pH levels. Less exercise, lower intake of vegetables, less sunshine and little outdoor activity all play a big part in creating an acid environment.
To keep a healthy alkaline balance, avoid the acid-producing foods mentioned above. Begin eating more green vegetables, like asparagus, and you will raise your pH levels.
And, check out the vitamin stores for special formulas to keep your pH on the alkaline side. Taking additional calcium supplements will help greatly also.
You now know the three most common causes of cold sores. Hopefully the information provided in this short article has helped you discover what causes cold sores in your life.
Herpes Women, Hormones and Chocolate
Chocolate could have an influence on women herpes symptoms. Several articles published recently claim that chocolate is a health food superior even to green tea. A study in 2003 suggested that eating chocolate regularly could prolong your life span, and other studies suggest that it protects blood vessels. Chocolate may be an antioxidant and contain lots of polyphenols, but for people with herpes, chocolate is often a trigger.
Most studies on chocolate conclude that it is best to eat highly concentrated dark chocolate because it contains more antioxidant, polyphenols and minerals than other varieties and also because it usually contains less added sugar and fat.
Chocolate also contains ingredients which can suppress your immune system, such as metylxantil and small amounts of caffeine and refined sugar.
Its high arginine content gives fuel to herpes reproduction. So chocolate should be avoided by both men and women infected with herpes.
Menopausal women or those suffering from PMS should be extra careful about their chocolate intake. Chocolate can stimulate the production of certain prostaglandins, which are thought to promote PMS. Women with PMS are often advised to avoid beverages or foods (tea, coffee and chocolate) containing Xantine or melxantil in order to reduce nervousness, breast tenderness and irritability.
A 2002 laboratory study conducted in New Jersey suggested that prostaglandins inhibitors such as aspirin could prevent reproduction of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) virus and that may also be the case with the herpes virus.
Other small studies indicate that a certain type of prostaglandin (E2) exacerbates herpes virus proliferation while another (E1), suppresses it.
In other words, the action of chocolate on prostaglandin (E2) could promote herpes replication and especially in women during PMS and menopause. Body levels of prostaglandin (E1) decrease during PMS and menopause while other types of prostaglandins naturally increase.
This could mean that women who display high prostaglandin levels naturally experience more severe herpes symptoms and that eating chocolate could make things worse for them.
This theory is backed up by my personal experience, and that of my female readers. We are much more herpes-prone during the 7 to 12 days prior to menstruation or during the menopause. So avoiding chocolate a little prior to menstruation is essential. Dairy produce, can contribute to stimulating the production of prostaglandins so milk chocolate is even worse.