HERPES SIMPLEX 2

Herpes … even the name sounds menacing. While not a life threatening condition, contracting Herpes Simplex 2 (otherwise known as genital herpes) can change a person’s life and the way they handle their relationships forever.

The Herpes Simplex Virus comes in two general forms: Herpes Simplex I, which is categorized by the painful blisters and sores it causes in and around the mouth and lips.  While not pleasant to deal with (they tend to be pretty ugly and hurt a lot), most people would prefer this version of the virus when compared to Herpes Simplex 2, otherwise known as genital herpes.

When Herpes Simplex 2 is contracted, blisters appear on the sexual organs and genital area.  An outbreak of this strain of the virus can be extremely painful and embarrassing. It can also cause a variety of other health-related symptoms including::

• Open sores that scab and then heal over a period of several days or weeks
• swollen glands
• a fever
• mild to severe headaches
• overall body aches
• muscle aches
• painful urination

Since Herpes Simplex 2 is extremely contagious, close contact should be avoided with one’s sexual partner when a flare-up occurs.  Sexual intercourse should not be performed during this time and even when an active outbreak of sores is not present, any sexual intimacy should be conducted under extreme care using condoms for added protection. Keep in mind though, that condoms are not 100% effective in keeping transmission of the disease from occurring.

Contracting genital herpes can be devastating for a person who may not want the stigma attached with the disease also attached to them as a person. .  Another reason for their concern may be the fact that the virus can not be cured and remains in the system for a lifetime.

While active outbreaks of the virus may only occur a few times a year, unprotected sex at any time is not recommended.  The virus (even when lying dormant) can be passed quite easily from one partner to another during close intimate contact.  Those with multiple partners must notify each of their partners about their disease in order to prevent spreading the virus to any unsuspecting partners in the future.

Pregnant women must be especially careful to prevent passing the disease onto the unborn baby. The most dangerous times to have a herpes outbreak while pregnant is during the first few weeks of a pregnancy when the fetus could be put at risk, and the end of the pregnancy when labor may occur.  Most doctors will recommend a C-section section for any woman with herpes, although some will allow a vaginal delivery as long as no open sores are detected.

Considered both a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), herpes must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor for the long term.  If you suspect that you may have contracted herpes, be sure to tell your doctor and have any open sores in your genital area tested immediately for the virus. Waiting until a sore has scabbed over or even healed can make diagnosing the disease difficult and may require waiting for another outbreak to begin treatment.

Although Herpes Simplex 2 can not be cured, there are medications as well as homeopathic remedies that can be used to lesson a patient’s symptoms and keep future attacks at a minimum.
Of course, the best treatment option is keeping your immune system strong. Research shows that a weakened immune system actually helps the herpes virus thrive and can push it out of its formant stage, causing a painful outbreak of blisters.  Stress and illness have been cited as the two main herpes activators, according to the medical experts who study the virus.

To eliminate future attacks, it is important to live as stress free as possible and eat a well balanced diet rich in lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.  Alcohol, mono-saturated fats and processed foods should be avoided as much as possible. In addition, getting plenty of sleep to give the immune system the time it needs to rest and rejuvenate the entire body is paramount to success. For most people that means indulging in 8-10 hours of quality sleep every night to ensure optimal health.

Contracting herpes simplex 2 can be difficult for some people to handle. That is why it is important to get support if needed.  Learn as much as you can about the disease so that you can keep outbreaks at bay and live  a healthier life. For more information on the disease and what you can do to handle this new reality in your own life, contact the National herpes Hotline at 919-361-8488.

Can Herpes Be Cured

There is a lot of debate within the medical community as to whether or not the herpes simplex virus can actually be stricken from the body once and for all.  With little real knowledge as to whether a cure is possible, each patient must work with his/her doctor to determine whether or not their disease is gone for good.

The herpes virus comes in two distinct forms: Herpes Simplex I and Herpes Simplex II.  Both are highly contagious and can be spread from one person to another with close contact. In the case of Herpes Simplex II (otherwise referred to as genital herpes), sexual contact is the main way the infection is transmitted from person to person.

It has been well established within the medical field that neither herpes virus can be cured since it remains in the body throughout the victim’s lifetime.  Not always active, the infection can actually lay dormant for weeks, months, or in some cases, years without ever making its presence known. Then one day, something triggers a reaction within the body and the virus becomes alive and active once again and an outbreak occurs.

Since both versions of the infection can be transmitted even without open sores or blisters being present, it is very important for patients to take precautions to keep from spreading the disease.

Herpes Simplex I virus is normally considered an annoying but benign disease, causing painful cold sores in and around the mouth. Sharing straws, drinks and kisses should be avoided during an outbreak.

The more hideous strain of the disease affects the genital are and sexual organs.  Herpes Simplex II, also referred to as genital herpes is highly contagious and can be spreads through intimate contact, even when a condom is worn.

Since abstaining from sex is necessary during an outbreak and precautions must be taken even when the infection lies dormant within the body, researchers have been looking for a cure for the disease for some time.

Now it appears that a permanent cure may be on the horizon.  Many researchers now believe that there are ways to reverse the disease (and actually cure it). The problem is, they say, is that current testing measures look for antibodies of the disease in the bloodstream in order to diagnosis herpes and since anyone who has ever suffered with the disease will have these antibodies present, there is no way to determine if the infection is gone for good.

Some doctors and patients have reported a lack of symptoms for ten years or more after certain protocols have been sued, but the medical community has yet to acknowledge that the infection is gone for good.  Until now.

In recent years a new test has become available, which is based on viral DNA rather than the presence of herpes antibodies to determine whether or not the infection remains dormant in the body or has been eradicated.  Now that a test can be performed to determine the true stage of the disease within the body, it will be easier for doctors and researchers to pinpoint a real cure should one be discovered.

When it comes to “curing” herpes, there have been a lot of people who claim to have found one. Yet no medical society to date will acknowledge the existence of a real cure for this very contagious disease.

Among the many treatment options now being studied for herpes include this homeopathic cure:

• Waiting to administer the protocol until the patient’s immune system is weakened by an illness which triggers a herpes outbreak (otherwise the body will send the infection into its dormant stage to prevent its destruction)
• Removing all carbohydrates and sugar form the diet for 2 weeks
• During this 2 week period take lysine, zinc and a food based multivitamin daily
• Increasing your protein intake
• Avoiding all nuts and nut based products
• Applying a 2% iodine patch to the skin (about the size of a large coin) every day for 2 weeks.  If your skin absorbs the patch in less than 12 hours, it is okay to increase the amount.

In the event your symptoms return, you may have to use the protocol several times to completely eradicate the disease from your body.


Of course this is not the only homeopathic remedy for treating herpes. Herpes Simplex I seems to also respond well to Astragalus’s supplements when taken at the first is of an outbreak. 

While a real cure for herpes may still be some time away, researchers are working diligently to find a permanent cure for the disease. In the meantime, some homeopathic doctors are citing some success and those who suffer repeated bouts of herpes outbreak may want to consider looking into these alternative treatment methods for relief.