Herpes, sometimes called the herpes simplex virus or HSV, has two separate varieties: HSV-1 and HSV-2. A person can be infected with either or both viruses. It was once thought that HSV-1 caused mouth-sore herpes while HSV-2 caused genital herpes, but that has proved to be untrue: either virus can manifest in either the mouth or genitals. Herpes is not curable, but there are medications and lifestyle changes that can help to prevent outbreaks. While as of 2011 there is no specific diet that has been shown to prevent herpes from occurring, some research indicates that a particular amino acid may be helpful in doing so.
About Herpes
Herpes is an insidious virus that has been affecting people for thousands of years. The herpes family includes HSV-1 and HSV-2, which constitute herpes simplex, and herpes zoster, which causes shingles and the chicken pox. Herpes viruses are unique in that they travel and live along neural pathways and can remain dormant in nerve clusters for years.
In order for herpes simplex to be transmitted from person to person, there must either be an exchange of body fluids like saliva, semen or vaginal fluid, or the uninfected person must have an open wound that the herpes virus can use to easily access his body, like a cut in the mouth or a scratch on the genitals.
Oral herpes is generally spread by contact with saliva, either by simple contact like touching or through more personal contact like kissing or sharing eating utensils. Genital herpes is generally spread through sexual contact with an infected person.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, reports that one out of six people from ages 14 to 49 are infected with HSV-2, and that more women than men are infected with the virus. Additionally, they state that it is more common for a man to transmit HSV-2 to his female partner than for the reverse to occur.
Symptoms and Complications of Herpes
Symptoms of herpes vary with how long a person has been infected and whether or not she has previously experienced an outbreak. It is not uncommon for someone to go a time without even realizing she has been infected with herpes.
In those who do experience symptoms of genital herpes, usually the first one is a tingling sensation in the genital area or even the buttocks and upper thighs that usually occurs within about two weeks of the sexual contact. The tingling sensation is typically followed by the formation of lesions in the genital area. These lesions may start out as blisters and then become more painful open sores that itch as they heal. In addition to the symptoms of the lesions themselves, many people also flu-like symptoms such as headaches, body aches and fever during their first herpes outbreak.
Later outbreaks tend to be similar, but much shorter in duration.
Oral herpes symptoms are almost always on and inside the mouth. Blisters form and then become painful weeping sores that may take up to two weeks to fully heal. Small children are especially susceptible to "cold sores" or oral herpes.
The most severe complications from genital herpes involve pregnant women. If you have herpes, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider while planning your pregnancy or as soon as you know you are pregnant. If steps are not taken, herpes infection could possibly be transferred to the newborn baby, causing what is known as neonatal herpes. Neonatal herpes, while quite rare, can be fatal.
Other complications from herpes involve people who are immunocompromised and can include encephalitis or brain swelling, pneumonia and esophageal inflammation. (ref. 2)
Treating Herpes
While there is no cure for herpes, modern medications have made managing this disease much easier. If you have been infected with the herpes virus, your physician will most likely put you on a regimen of prescription antiviral drugs. As of 2011, antiviral medication is the only regimen that has consistently been shown to help prevent or shorten herpes outbreaks--no changes in diet or supplement regimens have been as successful as medication. Antivirals commonly prescribed for genital herpes including valacyclovir, famciclovir and acyclovir work to help prevent outbreaks or reduce the length and severity of outbreaks. Antivirals also make it less likely that you will transmit herpes to someone else. Depending on your outbreak history, your healthcare provider may have you take antivirals daily, or she may suggest that you only need a prescription if you begin actively experiencing an outbreak.
Oral herpes tend to go away on their own within one or two weeks. If you experience an outbreak that lasts longer or is especially severe, your physician may prescribe medication.
Diet and Alternative Remedies for Herpes
There are changes in your diet, topical ointments you can apply and herbal supplements you can take that may lessen your chances of having an outbreak or lessen the severity of outbreaks as they occur. Unfortunately, no such regimen has been consistently successful in treating or preventing herpes, but you may wish to experiment with one to see if it helps you. Remember: you should speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any treatment regimen, even if it consists only of supplements or herbals.
The University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, suggests a few supplements that have shown promise in clinical trials. The amino acid lysine, which is found in eggs, chicken, fish and potatoes as well as in supplements, has been shown by some studies to lessen the duration of herpes outbreaks and also to prevent lesions from forming. While a diet rich in lysine is sometimes recommended for people infected with herpes simplex, if you have high cholesterol or heart disease, it is important that you speak with your physician before you begin increasing lysine in your diet. It is also important to note that not all studies have shown a benefit in increasing your lysine intake, so proceed with caution if there are reasons that lysine supplementation could be harmful to you.
Zinc supplements and topical applications of zinc like zinc oxide creams have shown effectiveness in helping to heal cold sores; and propolis, a high-antioxidant substance produced by bees, has shown some promise when used in a topical ointment as well.
One herb that UMMC mentions adding to your diet if you are infected with herpes is Siberian Ginseng. One study examining the impact of this herb on herpes found that it lessened the severity and duration of outbreaks. However, Siberian ginseng should not be taken by people with a history of high blood pressure, sleep apnea or narcolepsy, or by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any herbal medication regimen. (ref. 4)
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Genital Herpes: CDC Fact Sheet
- "The Lancet"; Genital Herpes; Rachna Gupta, MD; December 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Genital herpes
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herpes simplex virus
