Diet to Control Herpes

Good diet is also a very important factor to control herpes. Scientists have found that for herpes infected people it’s benefit to have a diet high in lysine and low in arginine.

So let’s find out what foods are high in lysine and low in arginine.

Recommended Foods: high in lysine and low in arginine

Fish, chicken, beef, lamb, milk, cheese, beans, brewer's yeast, mung bean sprouts and most fruits and vegetables, except for peas.

Not recommended foods

Gelatin, chocolate, carob, coconut, oats, wholewheat and, white flour, peanuts, soybeans, and wheatgerm.

Of course, everything is relative in our world, so don’t take it as an absolute truth. The matter is the scientists continue their discoveries. So try to follow their advices but be careful! I think in any case we have to listen to our body, not only to someone recommendations. If you’d like chocolate that isn’t reccommended please have it at least sometimes! In any case positive emotions are also very important for us.

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Something about Herpes Treatment

As I’ve mentioned before there is no cure for herpes. But of course today there are many drugs proved their effectiveness. These medicines could reduce he frequency and duration of herpes outbreaks. But I strongly recommend you to visit specialist. Please don’t take medicines without your doctor consultation!

There are also some advices that could be helpful during an outbreak.
First, keep the infected area clean and dry. Use warm shower if you want. Then dry the area with a hair dryer or towel. As a rule, using different creams isn’t helpful and could lead to irritation. Also consider not to wear tight-fitting undergarments.

Importance of Healthy Immune System

Healthy immune system is a very important thing in herpes treatment. So care for your immunity in order to help your organism fighting with different unpleasant diseases including herpes.
In order to strengthen your immune system you have to sleep and rest enough. Try to avoid stress because it has a very negative influence on immunity.

The right diet is also very important. Fruits, vegetables and foods rich in certain fatty acids may support a healthy immune system.

Some herbs are believed to stimulate the immune system, such as echinacea, ginseng, astragalus, sage, garlic, elderberry, shitake and hyssop. Honey is also very useful product.

Lifestyle makes difference, too. If you spend much time outdoors, make physical exercises and after all enjoy life, your immunity will strengthen without any doubts!

In other words, doing all above mentioned, you can shorten and even prevent herpes outbreaks.

Be happy and healthy!

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Genital herpes: Just Facts

There are good and bad news about genital herpes.

The bad ones:

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Yes, that’s it, unfortunately! This STD is caused by the herpes simplex viruses (HSV). Moreover, there are 2 types of HSV viruses — type 1 and type 2. I think that one type would be enough... But most genital herpes is caused by HSV type 2.

Suprisingly, most people have no or minimal symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection! But when symptoms do occur, they usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving ulcers or tender sores that may take up to four weeks to heal. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months later. Oh dear…

Now the relatively good news, at last:
helas, the infection can stay in the body forever, BUT the number of outbreaks usually decreases over a period of years! It’s better, is it not?

But don’t remember: you can pass genital herpes to someone else even when you experience no symptoms! So please care for your loved partners.

Just Figures

About 45 million Americans, age 12 and older have genital herpes. It’s estimated that up to one million people become infected each year!

Genital Herpes (HSV-2) is more common in women than men. So, women, take care!

Just think about it. I consider this statistics is awesome. We have to do something!

http://www.4women.gov/FAQ/stdherpe.htm
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How is herpes diagnosed?

The question is: how herpes can be diagnosed? Maybe it’s not herpes at all but something else? Some other disease that isn’t so bad? Of course, you have to make sure!

Herpes is diagnosed by testing a sample taken from an ulcer or blister. There is no readily available reliable blood test for the virus, and there is no certain diagnosis for individuals who are asymptomatic.

Be healthy!

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http://www.herpes.com/
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Symptoms of herpes

Many individuals infected with herpes never have any symptoms and do not know they are infected. The initial herpes infection may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and swollen glands (lymph nodes), in addition to blisters and ulcers on and around the genitals, thighs, buttocks, and anus or on the lips, mouth, throat, tongue, and gums.

Lesions may also be found within the vagina and on the cervix. In the case of genital infection, there may also be pain and itching where the sore is located or burning with urination. These blisters eventually crust over, form a scab, and heal, usually within 1-3 weeks.

Once the initial infection has resolved, some people experience outbreaks of genital blisters, ulcers, or small sores, which can occur on the penis, vulva, anus, buttocks, and/or thighs. Itching and tingling in the genitals are often an early warning sign that an outbreak is soon to occur. The frequency and severity of outbreaks varies from one person to the next.

Sores that occur during outbreaks generally last 3-7 days and are not as painful as those of the initial infection, and systemic symptoms are rare. However, some people may experience recurrent, painful genital ulcers. In addition, people with suppressed immune systems may experience severe, persistent ulcers.

What triggers a herpes outbreak?

If you have herpes sometimes outbreaks occur. Why? What’s a reason?

Unfortunately, outbreaks of herpes can be triggered by a number of factors, including:

• Stress
  


• Sunlight
  


• Sickness or fever
  


• Certain types of foods or beverages (including peanuts, alcohol, and coffee).
  

Can infection with herpes lead to other health problems?

Although genital herpes usually causes mild symptoms, some people may experience recurrent painful genital ulcers, which can be especially severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Like other STIs, herpes may also increase the risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV infection.

Be healthy!

http://www.herpes.com/
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Herpes risk factors

There are some risk factors for herpes.

In general they are connected with sex and sexual partners.

Herpes risk factors include:

• unsafe sex
• having sex with more than one partner
• having sex with someone who has multiple sex partners.

So be careful having sex!

How can you protect yourself from getting herpes?

The chance of becoming infected with herpes can be reduced by avoiding risky sexual behaviors.

To reduce your risk:

• Use latex or polyurethane condoms during sex. While this may help reduce the risk of transmission, transmission may still occur if herpes lesions are on parts of the body not covered by the condom.

• Limit the number of your sex partners.

• Avoid any contact with a partner who has sores until the sores are completely healed.

• Avoid having sex until the sores are fully healed or use a male or female condom during anal, oral, or vaginal sex. However, transmission can still occur if the condom does not cover the sores.

• Avoid having sex just before or during an outbreak, since the risk for transmission is highest at that time. If possible, encourage your partner to let you know at the first sign(s) of an outbreak so that you both can avoid sex then.

• If possible, ask any potential sexual partners if they have ever had a herpes outbreak, and encourage them to see a health care provider or clinic for more information—even if they do not have any symptoms.

Be healthy and happy!

www.herpes.com

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Herpes and pregnancy

But what to do if you are pregnant? How herpes influences pregnant woman? Let’s try to study this problem.

Unfortunately, it’s possible that an infected woman can pass herpes to her baby. The chance of giving herpes to the baby is highest if the initial infection occurs near the time of delivery.

The herpes virus can be transmitted to the baby in utero or during passage through an infected birth canal. First-time infection during pregnancy leads to an increased risk of miscarriage, decreased fetal growth, and preterm labor. About 30-50% of infants who are born vaginally to a mother with first-time infection become infected with the herpes virus. Of babies born to women experiencing recurrent herpes at the time of birth, 1-4% become infected with the virus.

If a woman is having an active outbreak of genital herpes at the time of delivery, the baby will usually be delivered by cesarean section to prevent transmission of herpes.

Of infants infected with herpes at birth, 30-60% die within the first month. Survivors may have long-term complications such as mental retardation and seizures.



To prevent transmission of herpes to their babies, pregnant women should discuss any past history of herpes with their health care providers and take adequate measures to prevent infection during pregnancy. The risk of herpes can be reduced during pregnancy by:

• Avoiding sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, and oral) during the last three months of pregnancy if your partner is known to have or suspected of having genital herpes.

• Avoiding receptive oral sex during the last three months of pregnancy if your partner is known to have or suspected of having herpes sores on the mouth, tongue, gum, or lips.

http://www.herpes.com/
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