Herpes Simplex Virus Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Herpes is a skin infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes simplex virus; HSV type 1 and HSV type 2. HSV type 1 most likely affects oral parts, also known as oral herpes while HSV type 2 will affect genitalia area called genital herpes. Generally, the virus may affect the genitalia, anal region, mucosal surfaces and other skin surfaces.

The symptoms of herpes include blisters, ulcers, pain during urinating, cold sores, and vaginal discharge. Since herpes is a long-term condition, many people never have symptoms even though they are carrying the virus.

The symptoms during primary outbreak may be different from the recurrent infection.  The primary infection occurs when a person is getting infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV).

During the outbreak, most people will experience the following symptoms including:

• Blisters on the skin
• Vaginal discharge
• Pain
• Itching
• Fever
• Cold sores around the mouth
• Ulcer at the external genitalia, internal vagina area or on the cervix
• Pain during urinating
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Burning or tingling around genitals

Recurrent herpes are commonly occurs and become frequent over time, but symptoms can either improve or worsen depending on the remission periods and also the severity of the disease.

Herpes appears on the skin surface which makes it easier to spread out and easily pass on to someone else. It becomes contagious when it is transferrable from one to another through direct contact with moist skin, i.e the mouth, anus, genitals as well as the eyes.

Regardless of gender, age or ethnicity, herpes may happen to anybody that is exposed to the HSV. The children may get infected when they have early contact with an infected adult and seems to carry the virus for the rest of their lives.

Having an open and multiple sexual activities can be the main factors how the virus can be passed from one individual to another. Being a female makes it easier to be infected compared to a man. Herpes can be diagnosed through physical examination and also HSV testing.

Prevention is better than cure. Although there is no cure for herpes, taking measure by controlling the disease and preventing the virus from multiplying or transmitting to another person is the proper way to prevent the herpes virus from spreading.

If you happened to experience an outbreak of HSV type 1 and type 2, do:

• Avoid direct physical contact with other people.
• Do not share any makeups, cloth or utensil that can pass the virus.
• Don’t participate in oral sex, kissing or any sexual activity
• Use proper hand care or cotton swabs when handling with the lesions or blisters.
• Avoid tight clothing around affected area.
• Clean the infected area regularly and wash hands after touching the affected area to avoid virus or infection spreading.
• Taking medication for pregnant women to prevent the virus from infecting their unborn babies.
• Boost your immune response by taking additional supplements like vitamin B complex which helps your body to fight the herpes virus.
• Avoid sex or changing sex partners. You can use a condom during intercourse but the virus can be passed through uncovered skin.

As the treatment and medication available only help in relieving the pain and discomfort, natural ways and home remedies play a major role in ease the symptoms.

There are varieties of treatment options including:

• Warm compress – relieve the sore, minimize pain and swelling
• Cool compress – The cold does not improve or worsen the condition, but it may helps in reducing swelling and relieve the pain.
• Baking soda paste – Dry out the lesions and relieve itching
• Cornstarch paste – Dry out the lesions and relieve itching
• Topical garlic – Contain antiviral properties that help in reducing sore
• Apple cider vinegar – Contain anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties which help in ease the symptoms
• Salted and warm bath – Help in alleviating the symptoms of herpes
• Propolis – Promotes faster healing of herpes lesions
• Aloe vera – It helps in soothing the skin and accelerate wound healing.
• Tea tree oil – Is a potent antiviral ingredient which used on a cold sore and genital herpes
• Manuka honey – It is effective as acyclovir. By directly applied it to the infected area will help in reducing the swelling and pain caused by HSV.
• Goat milk – An antiviral that helps curb the virus from spreading
• Essential oil (EO) – Chamomile EO are use to soothe out the discomfort pain and contain virus-fighting properties that may help in treating HSV type 2. While ginger and thyme are popular for fighting virus properties which potentially to kill the herpes virus.
• Eucalyptus oil – An antiviral agents that provide soothes and promotes healing
• Mexican oregano oil – Contain a powerful antiviral agent, carvacrol that reduces sore and swelling
• Lemon balm extract – Aid in suppressing the outbreak of herpes symptoms and reduce the risk of transmission.
• Licorice extract – The properties of antiviral and anti-inflammatory of licorice help in treatment of outbreaks.
• Diet changes – Eating the right food or certain dietary style that may boost immune system will help the body to fight the herpes simplex virus.

Most of the remedies are able to reduce inflammation, irritation and other symptoms. However, remedies aren’t a replacement for clinical treatment or medication plan, but another alternative that may help ease the discomfort. Before trying out or combine any home remedies treatment with clinical treatment, do consult and discuss with the doctors or experts regarding possible dosage, side effects and interactions.

For herpes condition, there is no cure for the virus. The treatments are designed to focus on getting rid of sore, limiting outbreaks and also relieve the discomfort caused by the virus. Consult with the doctor before starting any medication and treatment.

Here are the available treatments include:

Medication

Most of the medications are being used to help in reducing the risk of transmitting it to others. It may come in oral form, ointments and also through injection for severe outbreaks. Doctor may prescribe the antiviral drug each time the symptoms reappear. This antiviral medication is strongly prohibited to pregnant women or infants under age one. The recommended those prescribed by the doctor usually calculated based on the weight of the children or patients body condition.

• Acyclovir (Zovirax, Sitavig) – Antiviral drug use to decrease the severity and length of these outbreaks of genitals herpes. It is also helping in healing the sores to heal faster and decrease pain and itchiness.
• Famciclovir (Famvir) – An antiviral drug used to treat outbreaks that cause cold sores around the mouth, anus and genital herpes.
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex) – Help in reducing how long pains remains after the sores heal.
• Abreva (Docosanol) – Inhibits the ability of a virus to multiply in the body.
• Oral pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil, Aleve) – helps in relieves herpes-related pain for several hours and only use by applying a thin layer of the cream on the skin surface.

If you have herpes and would like to reduce the symptoms, kindly contact us so we can give you the medicine to curb the illness.  Do call us to arrange a consultation session. We are available from 8am to 12 midnight DAILY.

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Email: contactus@premier-clinic.com