Part I. Wonder Vegetables: the Hot Five!

Our life is impossible without vegetables. We have them in many ways — fresh, tinned, frozen, cooked, juiced or dried.

Scientific researches have proved that people who eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables may have a lower risk of getting different illnesses because they have strong immune system.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is great to getting rid of fatty deposits. Seeds of pumpkin help to slow down aging processes. The seeds contain proteins, highly valuable fat and nucleic acids.

Pumpkin’s pulp helps to boost immune system, to treat kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, to regulate finctions of stomach and intestines. The pulp contains a variety of vitamins, including very useful vitamin A.

Garlic


Garlic contains an active substance that kills bacteria and fungi, reduces cholesterol and fat level in the blood. Other active components of garlic improve circulation of the blood, reduce blood pressure, and slow down aging processes.


Garlic protects against cancer and cardiac diseases. It has a component that helps to fight different infections and viruses including herpes. It is also reported to enhance immune function. But be careful with fresh garlic if you have acute diseases of gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver.

Onion

Onion is a great product to fight different infections and viruses (including herpes), respiratory illnesses, urinary bladder infections, flu etc. Scientists proved that fresh onion protects veins and artetia.

Onion is also reduces cholesterol in the blood. It helps to strengthen immune system. Onion contains vitamins С, В1, В2, provitamin А, flavonoids. But be careful with fresh onion if you have acute diseases of gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver.

Red Beet


Red beet is not only useful and tasteful vegetable. It’s also powerful substance for diseases resistance and blood and kidneys cleansing. Some scientists believe that red beet is the best rejuvenating product among all fruits and vegetables.

Red beet contains folic acid that helps to keep good condition of nervous system and brain. The folic acid is also very useful for pregnant women.

Carrot


Carrot has many useful substanses: provitamin A, vitamins В1, В2,В6,С, Е, К, PP, carotin. It helps to improve vision, skin condition, to fight weakness, anemia, and digestion disfunctions.

The salad from grated carrot and apples is a great meal to boost immune system. You have to add vegetable oil, sour cream or mayonnaise to salads from carrot in order to better assimilation of carotin.

Photos: www.flickr.com

Healthy Products

Nature is the best doctor. Fruits, vegetables, herbs — all of them contain useful and effective biologically active substances. The right diet is also crucial for healthy life. Natural products contain a whole drugstore of useful substances for humans. As one wise man said, “You are what you eat.” It's true!

So let’s have good products that can make us healthier and therefore happier. We will study different products with purpose to boost our immune system in order to fight different diseases including herpes.

Find out more with Part I, Wonder Vegetables the Hot Five!
To be continued.

Photo: www.flickr.com

Herpes Treatment with Vitamins

It is autumn now. I like this beautiful season: yellow leaves falling and rustling, gentle melancholic rain, cold and transparent air.

But you know that autumn is a period of catarrhal diseases, chronical diseases exacerbation and thus immune system weakening.

As I’ve mentioned before, 90% of humans are infected with herpes. The herpes virus has an ability to survive for a long time in organism tissues. Some kinds of herpes virus could be present in sensitive ganglia of spinal cord of a person during all his or her life. And the latent infection not necessary will transfer to an active form of disease.

But there are factors that make easy such transfer. These factors include immunity reduce, chronical stress, chronical diseases exacerbation, hypovitaminosis, abnormalities in endocrine glands function, metabolic disturbance, pollution of environment etc.


So we have to protect and stimulate our immune system. Vitamins play an important role here. There are some useful vitamins and agents for persons infected with herpes, such as А, В, Е vitamins, ascorbic acid, rutin. They are very effective in autumn.

Take care and be healthy!

Read more about vitamins and useful healthy products in next posts. To be continued!

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/

Herpes Zoster: Signs and Symptoms

The earliest symptoms of shingles include headache, sensitivity to light, fever, and malaise, all of which may be followed by itching, tingling, and pain within one to seven days. The pain may be extreme in the affected nerve, where the rash will later develop, and can be characterized as stinging, tingling, aching, numbing, or throbbing, and can be pronounced with quick stabs of intensity.

During this phase, herpes zoster is frequently misdiagnosed as other diseases with similar symptoms, including heart attacks and renal colic. Some patients may have these symptoms without developing the characteristic rash. This situation, known as "zoster sine herpete," can delay diagnosis and treatment.

The initial phase is followed, in most cases, by development of the characteristic skin rashes of herpes zoster. The rash is visually similar to hives, and follow a distribution near dermatomes, commonly occurring in a stripe or belt-like pattern.


The rash evolves into vesicles or small blisters filled with serous fluid. The vesicles are generally painful, and their development is often associated with the occurrence of anxiety and further flu-like symptoms, such as fever, tiredness, and generalized pain.

The vesicles eventually become hemorrhagic (filled with blood), and crust over within seven to 10 days. As the crusts fall off, patients are rarely left with scarring and pigmented skin.
Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. However, the virus that causes shingles, VZV, can be spread from a person with active shingles to a person who has no immunity to the virus by direct contact with the rash, while in the blister phase.

The person exposed would then develop chicken pox, not shingles. The virus is not spread through airborne transmission, such as sneezing or coughing. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious. A person is not infectious before blisters appear or with post-herpetic neuralgia (pain after the rash is gone).

Chicken pox virus can remain dormant for decades, and does so inside the ganglion of the spinal cord. As the virus is reactivated it spreads down peripheral nerve fibers and produces intense pain. The blisters therefore only affect one area of the body and do not cross the midline. They are most common on the torso, but can also appear on the face, eyes or other parts of the body.

http://en.wikipedia.org/

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/

Herpes Zoster

Now let’s talk about herpes zoster. Herpes zoster, known as shingles, is the reactivation of varicella zoster virus. The virus leads to a group of painful blisters over the area of a dermatome.

After an attack of chicken pox, the varicella-zoster virus retreats to nerve cells within the ganglion or the spinal cord, where it will lie dormant for several months up to several decades.

Aging, stress, or disease will cause the varicella zoster virus to reactivate and reproduce, at which point it is known as herpes zoster. Once activated, the herpes zoster virus travels along the path of a nerve to the skin's surface, where it causes shingles.

Treatment is generally with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (Zovirax), or prodrugs such as famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex).

Maximum efficacy of antiviral drugs occurs if the treatment is commenced within 72 hours of appearance of definitive symptoms.

New at Herpes Wise of Nathalie Foy

Nathalie Foy is an alternative treatment specialist. She has controlled genital herpes and is now helping others do the same. She has written Herpes Wise a book which provides great information on diagnosis, transmission, and medical and natural treatments as well as her personal plan to control herpes for life.


She's also the writer of Herpes Wise an ebook dedicated to the treatment of genital herpes filled with great information on herpes treatments which can be found at http://www.herpes-wise.com/.

She is getting prepared to release the full Herpes combat course that will replace or be added to the main Herpes Wise book in its second edition.

http://herpes-blog.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-at-herpes-wise.html

How Herpes Testing Is Done

Herpes Testing

For a viral culture, viral antigen test, or PCR test, a clean cotton swab is rubbed against a herpes sore to collect fluid and cells for examination. Samples may be collected from the vagina, cervix, penis, urethra, eye, throat, or skin.

Health professionals usually collect a sample from small herpes sores that are only a few days old. Viruses are more likely to be found in small newly formed sores.

For an antibody test, the health professional drawing blood will:

Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein.

Clean the needle site with alcohol.

Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.

Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.

Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected.

Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.

Put pressure to the site and then a bandage.

What To Think About

Normal test results do not mean you do not have a herpes infection. Herpes is often diagnosed by symptoms and by knowing whether the person has had contact with an infected person. Sometimes a test is not needed.

A person who has genital herpes needs to learn how to avoid spreading the disease, since the disease is more likely to be spread when he or she has sores. If you have recurrent outbreaks, especially during times of stress or illness, you can also spread the disease.

You may want to know whether a herpes infection is due to HSV-1 or HSV-2 so you can take steps to prevent or treat outbreaks.

A genital herpes infection can be spread from a mother to her baby during vaginal delivery. In a newborn, herpes can cause organ failure, brain infection, and death. A pregnant woman with genital herpes will likely have a cervical culture done every week for the last 4 to 6 weeks of the pregnancy before delivery.

If active herpes is present near the time of delivery, a cesarean delivery may be done to prevent infecting the baby.

POCkit is a new test available at some clinics. It checks blood from a finger stick for antibodies to HSV-2. The results are generally ready in about 10 minutes. The POCkit test is more expensive than other tests and may not be available everywhere.

www.webmd.com

Photo: www.flickr.com

Herpes Testing

Herpes tests are done to find the herpes simplex virus (HSV). An HSV infection can cause small, painful sores that look like blisters on the skin or the tissue lining mucous membranes of the throat, nose, mouth, urethra, rectum, and vagina.

A herpes infection may cause only a single outbreak of sores, but in many cases the person will have more outbreaks.

There are two types of HSV.

HSV type 1 causes cold sores (also called fever blisters) on the lips. HSV-1 is generally spread by kissing or by sharing eating utensils (such as spoons or forks) when sores are present. HSV-1 can also cause sores around the genitals.

HSV type 2 causes sores in the genital area (genital herpes), such as on or around the vagina or penis. HSV-2 also causes the herpes infection seen in babies who are delivered vaginally in women who have genital herpes. HSV-2 is generally spread by sexual contact. HSV-2 can sometimes cause mouth sores.

In rare cases, HSV can infect other parts of the body, such as the eyes and the brain.

Tests for HSV are most often done only for sores in the genital area. In rare cases, the test may be done using other types of samples, such as spinal fluid, blood, urine, or tears. To see whether sores are caused by HSV, different types of tests may be done.

Herpes viral culture

Cells or fluid from a fresh sore are collected with a cotton swab and placed in a culture cup. A viral culture is the most specific method of finding a genital herpes infection.

Herpes virus antigen detection test

Cells from a fresh sore are scraped off and then smeared onto a microscope slide. This test finds markers (called antigens) on the surface of cells infected with the herpes virus. This test may be done with or in place of a viral culture.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A PCR test can be done on cells or fluid from a sore or on blood or on other fluid, such as spinal fluid. PCR finds the genetic material DNA of the HSV virus. This test can tell the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2. The PCR test is not often done on skin sores, but it is best for testing spinal fluid, for those rare cases in which herpes may cause an infection in or around the brain.

Antibody tests

Blood tests can find antibodies that are made by the immune system to fight a herpes infection. Antibody tests are occasionally done but are not as accurate as a viral culture at finding the cause of a specific sore or ulcer.

Antibody tests cannot tell the difference between a current active herpes infection and a herpes infection that occurred in the past. Because antibodies take time to develop after the first infection, you may not have a positive antibody test if you have just recently been infected. Some blood tests can tell the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2.

It is thought that about half of adults in the United States likely have herpes antibodies.

A herpes infection cannot be cured. Once you become infected with HSV, the virus stays in the body for life. It "hides" in a certain type of nerve cell and causes more outbreaks of sores in some people.

Recurring infections can be triggered by stress, fatigue, sunlight, or another infection, such as a cold or flu. Medicine can relieve symptoms and shorten the length of the outbreaks, but medicine cannot cure the infection.

A different herpes virus (called varicella zoster) causes chickenpox and shingles.

Why It Is Done

A test for herpes is done to see whether HSV is causing sores, in the genital or mouth area.

How To Prepare

If you may have genital herpes, do not have sexual contact until your test results are back. You can lower the chance of spreading the disease to your partner(s).

If a sample from the urethra will be collected, do not urinate for 2 hours before the test.

For women, if a cervical sample will be collected, do not douche for 24 hours before the test.

How It Is Done -- read in the next post.

To be continued!

http://www.webmd.com/

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/

Genital Herpes Transmissions

Ways of Transmission

Herpes transmission is caused by close oral, anal, or genital contact, including intercourse, masturbation, kissing, or any direct skin-to-skin contact which allows for the transfer of bodily fluids.

A person is considered contagious when prodromal symptoms, active sores, and healing lesions are present.

Herpes is potentially contagious when no symptoms are present. That is, a person who has genital herpes is potentially always shedding active virus.

Approximately 1 in 6 members of the general infected population is thought to shed active virus occasionally without symptoms.

Some people do not get typical blister-like sores but harbor active virus in their saliva, vaginal, or penile secretions, and can shed the virus without knowing they have herpes.

Lesions can occur deep inside the vagina where they cannot be seen or felt, but can readily transmit the virus.

An uninfected individual has about a 75% chance of contracting herpes during intimate contact with someone actively shedding virus.

Oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals, and vice versa. Symptoms are similar.

Auto-inoculation

An infected individual can spread the herpes virus to other parts of his or her body by touching an area shedding virus and then touching, scratching, or rubbing another susceptible part of the body. Towels are especially conducive to this.

WARNING!

It is possible for a person to contract genital herpes if the partner with oral herpes performs oral sex. Oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals, and vice versa. Symptoms are similar.

Environmental surfaces like toilet seats may be a source of contagion, but there is no evidence that this poses a real threat to the general population. Experts differ as to how long the virus can survive on its own. The primary cause of infection remains intimate contact.

www.herpes.com

Photos: www.flickr.com

The Symptoms of Genital Herpes

The symptoms of genital herpes vary from person to person. Some people have severe symptoms, such as many painful sores, while others have mild symptoms.

An initial outbreak of genital herpes usually brings about symptoms within two weeks of having sexual contact with an infected person and can last from two to three weeks. The early symptoms can include:

• an itching or burning feeling in the genital or anal area


• flu-like symptoms, including fever


• swollen glands


• pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area


• vaginal discharge


• a feeling of pressure in the area below the stomach
  
  
  
  

Within a few days, sores (also called lesions) show up where the virus has entered the body, such as on the mouth, penis, or vagina.

Sores can also show up on a woman’s cervix, which is the opening to the uterus or womb, or in the urinary passage in men. The sores are small red bumps that may turn into blisters or painful open sores. Over a period of days, the sores become crusted and then heal without scarring.

Other later symptoms of genital herpes may include:

• small red bumps on the penis, vagina, or wherever the infection began. These bumps may become blisters or painful open sores that can take up to four weeks to heal.


• itching or burning in the genital area


• pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area


• vaginal discharge


• feeling pressure or discomfort around your stomach


• fever


• headache


• muscle aches


• pain when urinating


• swollen glands in the genital area

Some people may have no symptoms – but they can still spread herpes! Sometimes only very mild sores appear, but are mistaken for an insect bite or other skin problems.

If you have HIV, a genital herpes infection can be worse.If you have herpes, do not have any sexual activity with someone who does not have herpes when you have sores or other symptoms of herpes. Even if you don’t have symptoms, you can still pass the virus to others.

Photos: www.flickr.com

Boosting the Immune System to Fight Herpes

Immunity is a crucial thing for our health. Just think: if you have strong imunity you can fight any disease including herpes! But what to do if you are not so lucky? How to boost your immune system?

I’d like to publicate several posts about immunity strengthening. Let’s start!

How to Strengthen Immune System: 3 tips

1. Diverse diet

Researches proved that luck of juct one necessary agent for organism could lead to immunity weakening. So we need diverse food!

2. Fruits and vegetables

Scientists believe that fruits and vegetables are very useful for us. I mean a variety of fruits and vegetables of all kinds and colours. Red, yellow, green.

3. Seafoods

Any seafood contains many nutrients that are absolutely necessary for people. Seafoods are sources of many vitamins, mineral matters (calcium, phosphorus, iron) and trace elements (selenium, zinc, iodine).

It’s only beginning of my discoveries of immunity subject. We've to fight herpes!

Keep reading. To be continued!

Genital Herpes: Ways of Transmission and Symptoms

Ways of Genital Herpes Transmission

As I've mentioned before, there are two herpes viruses: HSV-1 and HSV-2. These herpes viruses can be found in and released from the sores that the viruses cause. It's natural and quite understandable.

But the most terrible is that these herpes viruses also are released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to be broken or to have a sore!

Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 herpes infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 herpes infection. But keep in mind that transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not even know that he or she is infected! In this case the infected partner can't warn about his or her disease!

HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." HSV-1 herpes infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1 infection. Genital HSV-1 herpes outbreaks recur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks.

So HSV-2 herpes infection is much more dangerous.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Unfortunately, most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their genital herpes infection. However, if genital herpes signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced.

The first genital herpes outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other genital herpes signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands.

However, most persons with HSV-2 genital herpes infection may never have sores, or they may have very mild signs that they do not even notice or that they mistake for insect bites or another skin condition.

Most people diagnosed with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to have several (typically four or five) outbreaks (symptomatic recurrences) within a year. Over time these recurrences usually decrease in frequency.

Source: http://cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/

My feelings about having herpes

Frankly speaking I feel not good about having herpes. I think it's quite natural and you can understand me.

Yes, I know that many people feel guilty or ashamed when they find out they have such awful disease as herpes. I did. I felt bad, I was really upset.

But… Just think: you are not alone! There are millions people having herpes and they live with this thought somehow. Besides, you can control herpes and reduce outbreaks occurrencies.

Herpes and sex life: 2 rules

But what about your sex life? How not to hurt your loved partner?

The first rule is not to have sex during outbreaks.

The second rule is to use condoms at other times, between outbreaks, when you feel good.

Of course, be honest and tell your sex partner about your problem. “Yes. I have herpes, that’s it! But I love you and don’t want to hurt you.”

Anyway, you should avoid having sex if you have any sores. Herpes can spread from one person to another very easily when sores are present.

Another reason to avoid sex when sores are present is that sores make it easier to catch the AIDS virus.

You should use condoms every time you have sex. Condoms can only help reduce the risk of spreading herpes if they cover all the infected skin.

Don’t be upset! You are not alone!

http://familydoctor.org/

Photo: http://www.flick.com/