Herpes is a group of viruses that can cause painful blisters and sores. Commonly, these sores occur on the lips, in the mouth or around the sexual organs. These viruses are the leading cause of viral illness, second only to the cold virus, according to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. There are at least 25 herpes viruses, and at least eight are known to infect humans frequently. The Epstein-Barr virus, varicella zoster -- which leads to chicken pox -- and cytomegalovirus are examples of the herpes virus.
Herpes Virus
The two most commonly referred to herpes virus outbreaks are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2, also known as HSV-1 and HSV-2, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These particular herpes viruses are responsible for the blisters found in the mouth and on the genitals. HSV-2 is the main cause of genital herpes, and HSV-1 is the main cause of oral herpes. Symptoms of a herpes outbreak can be triggered by the sun, emotional stress, fever, menstrual cycles, a weakened immune system or an illness. There is no cure for the virus. Once you have been infected, you are likely to have another outbreak. Between outbreaks, the virus lies dormant in the body along nerve cells.
Treatments
Most herpes infections do not cause a serious medical complication, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, infants and people with weakened immune systems may experience a life-threatening illness from a herpes outbreak. Treatments include balancing lysine and arginine in the body, the addition of red marine algae supplements and anti-viral medications developed for the treatment of herpes, according to Herpes.com. Zinc is another treatment modality that has held promise in the treatment of herpes virus outbreaks.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace metal element, according to Medline Plus. It is essential because it is necessary for human health but unable to be manufactured in the body. Zinc is used by the body to maintain immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function and other biological systems. Medline Plus also says that zinc has an effect against viruses, including the influenza virus that causes the common cold and the herpes virus. Foods high in zinc include pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, garlic, sesame seeds and chickpeas, according to the Global Healing Center.
Actions
In a test tube, zinc can inactivate the herpes virus responsible for the majority of genital herpes. Doctors at Peace Health Medical Centers in the northwest U.S. advise the use of topical preparations of zinc at the site of the infection to help reduce the ability of the virus to replicate and grow. Topical preparations also help prevent outbreaks from occurring. Although there has been evidence that topical zinc is an effective treatment option, there is no scientific evidence that oral zinc preparations offer the same benefits to sufferers of herpes simplex viruses.
