Acyclovir is one of three antiviral medications available in the United States to treat herpes. In her book "The Good News About the Bad News Herpes: Everything You Need to Know," author Terri Warren, RN, MP notes that antiviral medications treat...
Some of those infected with herpes experience debilitating symptoms, while others are completely unaware of their condition. The American Social Health Association reports that around 20% of adults in the United States have genital herpes but,...
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV-2) infects about one-fourth of women in the United States, and approximately one-fifth of all adults and adolescents over 12 are infected with either herpes simplex 1 or 2. Most...
According to the National Institutes of Health, shingles -- or Herpes Zoster -- affects approximately 25 percent of people at one point in their life. Everyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles, although an outbreak is more...
Herpes is a permanent condition resulting from an infection with the herpes simplex virus. Genital sores and other symptoms often appear immediately following the initial infection. After the initial reaction, there may be outbreaks and genital...
Some sufferers of oral or genital herpes are interested in alternatives or complements to traditional antiviral treatments. There are many things that can be done to ease discomfort or speed the healing process during an outbreak. Home remedies...
Herpes is an incurable and contagious condition that creates sores on the body, generally around the mouth or genitals. Oral herpes stems from a virus called herpes simplex 1, or HSV1; genital herpes stems from a virus called herpes simplex 2, or...
There are two ways to distinguish between cold sores and herpes. One definition is based on the strain of the responsible virus while another definition is based on the location of the lesion. Cold sores and herpes have many things in common and...
As most people know, if you have cold sores, then you have herpes. However, the good news is that the strain of the herpes virus that causes cold sores isn't the same as the one responsible for the STD version that causes tender genital sores....
Of the many men and women who are affected by herpes every year, some aren't even aware they have the virus. When mild, the initial signs of the herpes virus are easily confused with other maladies. According to the University of Maryland Medical...
According to MayoClinic.com, over 100 types of human papillomaviruses affect approximately 20 million Americans. These HPV infections can cause abnormal growths, such as warts, on certain parts of the body. Several HPV herbal remedies are...
Herpes is a transmittable viral infection affecting the mucous membranes or skin of the genitals and the mouth. Herpes is generally transmitted by contact with the skin of an infected person who has visible blisters or sores, but it can also be...
Super lysine is an over-the-counter medication used to treat cold sores. You can find super lysine in both a topical application cream and an oral supplement. Manufactures of super lysine products claim that this medication helps to treat existing...
Herpes is an infectious disease spread by bodily fluids and skin-to-skin contact, with varying types. The more common types of herpes are genital and oral, with painful sores developing around infected areas. While there is no definite cure for...
In addition to medicines made by pharmaceutical companies to treat the herpes simplex virus, a variety of home remedies can be used to address the symptoms of a herpes outbreak, as well as to prevent the frequency and severity of occurrences....
Fever blisters or cold sores can be painful. The crusting sores can split and bleed and are unattractive during the healing process. While prescription medications are available, they can be expensive, so patients may consider other alternatives,...
Herpes simplex has two main varieties that cause sores to appear in the oral and genital regions of the body, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Current data indicate that 60 percent of Americans between the ages of 14 to 49 have type 1 herpes. About...
People differ, so it is impossible to say exactly how your body might respond to a first outbreak of herpes. In the worst case, symptoms begin within 2 weeks of the time you are exposed by a sex partner. The first symptom you may notice is that...
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended in 2006 that all adults age 60 or older get vaccinated against shingles. Shingles is caused by the virus that causes chicken pox, and contracting it as an adult can be very painful...
Herpes simplex virus type 2 is primarily responsible for genital herpes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that most individuals infected with HSV-2 have few or no signs. When symptoms do occur, they may take several days...
Herpes simplex virus comes in two forms, oral herpes and genital herpes, each of which can infect an infant. Up to 1,200 to 1,500 new genital herpes infections occur in newborns each year, according to the March of Dimes website. If your baby has...
Genital warts or genital herpes is commonly caused by herpes simplex virus 2, usually shortened to HSV2. It is considered a sexually transmitted disease and characterized by recurrent infections. Research indicates lysine might be helpful as...
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the herpes simplex virus; of the two strains of herpes simplex, herpes simplex type 2 is the most prevalent cause of genital herpes. According to the New York City Department of Health and...
The term herpes is used in several ways. It may mean the herpes simplex virus --- usually shortened to HSV; the cold sore or fever blister commonly caused by HSV1; genital warts, commonly caused by HSV2; or it can be a catch-all term for a number...
MedlinePlus states that herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. As of 2010, all FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of herpes target the same enzyme, called DNA polymerase. However, the efficacy of these drugs appears to be...
Oral herpes, or herpes labrialis, is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. The most noticeable symptoms of oral herpes are small raised sores that appear on the skin of a person's lips, mouth or gums. Oral herpes can be spread through contact...
Newborn infants contract the herpes simplex virus in a number of ways. At birth, a mother who is infected with the virus can pass it on to her infant, especially if she is experiencing an outbreak at the time of delivery. The National Institutes...
Herpes is an infection caused by one of two viruses, herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. Men can contract either strain of the herpes virus. KidsHealth.org points out that HSV-2 is most often responsible for genital herpes while HSV-1 causes...
Up to 20 percent of the population at any given time is shedding herpes simplex virus, according to the "5-Minute Clinical Consult" textbook. Risk factors for contracting the virus include sexual intercourse with an infected person, occupational...
There is no cure for genital herpes, but many treatments can be suggested by a doctor. Learn about genital herpes from a doctor in this video on sexually transmitted diseases.