Herpes simplex virus (HSV), a recurrent viral infection, is caused by Herpes virus hominis (HVH), a widespread infectious agent. Attempts at controlling this infectious disease as well as latent infections associated with herpes viruses is an area presently being actively explored.
The human herpes viruses, which include Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, human cytomegalovirus, Varicella-Zoster virus, and the Epstein-Barr Virus, either cause or are associated with a whole spectrum of diseases ranging from infectious mononucleosis to malignancies and mental retardation. Indeed, the herpes viruses are multipotential, having the ability to cause more than one kind of disease.
Herpes simplex virus type II primarily effects the genital area and is transmitted by sexual contact. However, cross-infection may result from orogenital sex. While generally not dangerous, it is a nuisance, can be painful and may be emotionally traumatic. While there is no cure, the frequency and severity of attacks can be reduced.
Genital herpes is one of the leading sexually-contracted diseases. Spreading every day, genital herpes is considered an epidemic in the making. Due to the mode of transmission, genital herpes are rarely seen in children. However by early teens, when sexual contact begins, genital infections rise dramatically, continuing for the next twenty years.
Genital herpes requires intimate body contact, either through intercourse or oral sex. As a result of oral sex, Herpes I can be found in the genital area and/or Herpes II can be found on the mouth. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause genital herpes. Roughly speaking, HSV-2 causes 60% and HSV-1 causes 40% of all cases.
General causes of recurrent genital infection include common stressful conditions such as menstruation, emotional upset, pregnancy, and local trauma to the genitalia. It is common to have an outbreak a week after having intimate sex.
A first infection with genital herpes generally occurs three to seven days after sexual exposure. Often people do not notice this infection for the first time, while others have their worst outbreak. Symptoms vary from a slight fever to a group of blisters which crust over and disappear.
Genital Herpes: symptoms include itching, burning in the genital area and discomfort urinating, and a watery vaginal or urethral discharge. A weeping vesicular eruption in the vagina or on the penis is an early sign.
Typical symptoms
The virus starts to multiply when it gets into the skin cells. The skin becomes red and sensitive, and soon afterward, one or more blisters or bumps appear. The blisters first open, and then heal as new skin tissue forms. During a first outbreak, the area is usually painful and may itch, burn or tingle. Flu-like symptoms are also common. These include swollen glands, headache, muscle ache or fever. Herpes may also infect the urethra, and urinating may cause a burning sensation.
Generally speaking, visible symptoms (lesions) will show up after standard prodromal symptomology (mild tingling and burning near areas where an outbreak will occur). Prodromal symptomology does not always precede an outbreak. The onset of an outbreak is evidenced by watery blisters. The herpes virus is most infectious during the blistering stage, less infectious after the blisters crust over, yet may be passed on to your partner during the prodromal stage or right after the blisters disappear.
For women, blisters involve the external genitalia (the labia, perirectal skin, foreskin of the clitoris), in addition to the vagina and cervix. It is common to have watery discharge and pain during urination.
For men, groups of blisters appear on the head, foreskin, or shaft of the penis including surrounding areas of the genitalia. Generally, herpes can show up anywhere in the pelvic area both front and back.
It is common among men and women to experience low-grade fever, headache, generalized muscle aching, and tender, swollen lymph nodes in the groin. The first visible outbreak can last anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks.
If you think you have the virus, see a doctor while symptoms are still present. The doctor will look at the area, take a sample from the sore(s) and test to see if the herpes virus is present. The test you should request is a specific virus culture or assay for herpes virus. Remember, the test will not work if the sores have healed. Known available tests are: Cell Culture Test, Antigen test, Pap Smear.
To determine whether the symptoms you have just experienced are in fact a herpes virus, you can have two separate blood tests for herpes viruses, one for Herpes I and one for Herpes II. This will determine if herpes is present and which virus is active.
Although there is no cure, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the effects. During an outbreak, keep the infected area as clean and dry as possible. This will help your natural healing processes. Some doctors recommend warm showers in order to cleanse the infected area. Afterwards, towel dry gently, or dry the area with a hair dryer on a low or cool setting. To prevent chaffing, some people also find it helpful to avoid tight-fitting undergarments. Most creams and lotions do no good and may even irritate.
Finally, a healthy immune system may be important in controlling the virus. Don't ignore the need for proper nutrition, exercise, and rest.
Recurring Herpes Episodes. Recurring herpes falls into three categories:
Those persons in category 2 can move into category 3 or recede into category 1. For those persons in category 2 and 3, severity and periodicity does calm down after two to three years.
There is reason to believe that the frequency of recurrent herpes is related not only to the health of the patient but to the virus strain itself. Some strains of virus are more prone to frequent reactivation while others tend to remain quietly latent in the body. It is also important to point out that almost all spontaneous reactivations come from latent virus in the base of the spinal chord and rarely from exposure during sexual activity.
Some women seem to develop vulvodynia in response to infection with the herpes virus. [Vulvodynia: A Perplexing Disorder; Questions and Answers With Stanley Marinoff, M.D. NVA News, Vol. I, Issue 1; Winter, 1995]
About 80% of people with HIV are also infected with genital herpes. Those infected with both HIV and HSV are likely to have more frequent, serious and long-lasting outbreaks of herpes.
Researchers recently discovered that, in order to replicate, the herpes virus needs arginine, another common amino acid. Lysine competes with arginine for absorption and entry into tissue cells. And when lysine is present, it inhibits the growth of HSV by knocking out arginine.
This makes a diet high in lysine and low in arginine a useful tool in managing HSV infections. In one study, participants consumed large amounts of lysine (about 1gm three times daily) while restricting food sources of arginine. A significant number of participants (74%) noticed an improvement in their HSV infections and a decrease in the number of outbreaks.
Arginine promotes viral replication of herpes. In some people, changing the dietary ratio of lysine to arginine reduces the frequency and intensity of outbreaks. Foods that are lower in lysine and higher in arginine such as chocolate, peanuts and other nuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole-wheat products should be reduced or eliminated from the diet. Lists of foods and their lysine-to-arginine content are available on the Internet.
A comprehensive list of foods and their lysine/arginine content can be found here.
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a potent inactivator of lipid-enveloped viruses.
People who have active herpes virus should not consume much – if any – coconut due to its high arginine content. Arginine can aggravate herpes and bring on an outbreak. They should also avoid any other substance high in arginine. Coconut has been shown through both clinical trials and anecdotal evidence to have some anti-viral properties, but not against the herpes virus.
A Herpes/Papilloma Virus Panel (Blood and Swab) can test for the presence of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), Cytomegalorvirus (CMV), Herpes simplex Viruses (HSV 1 and HSV 2 combined), Human herpes Virus-6 (HHV-6) and Human papilloma Viruses (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18).
Dr. H. Konrad of Brazil published his results in treating genital herpes. Out of 20 patients, all but 3 cleared and stayed in remission after ozone injections during the 2.5 year follow-up period.
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