Is there a cure for Herpes?

Let's get straight to the point - no matter what you may have read elsewhere there is currently 'technically' no cure for Herpes.

But let us also be clear about what we mean by this...

When it is stated that there is no cure for Herpes what is meant is that there is currently no modern medicinal or pharmaceutical approach that can eradicate the highly infectious viral 'agents' Herpes simplex, or Herpes zoster (the two common sub-groups of Herpes viruses that cause human ill health) once you are infected by them. So in this sense there is no known cure that your Doctor can prescribe - at this time.

However- and perhaps more importantly - there are things that you can do that will effectively limit the 'impact' that Herpes has on your life, health, wellbeing and infectiousness. In fact there are things that you SHOULD be doing if you know you have Herpes that are so effective that you might, to all intents and purposes, consider that you are 'cured'.

This is to say that by taking the right actions, in terms of some lifestyle changes and simple natural treatments, you can reach a point very quickly where you no longer suffer the signs, symptoms, pain, discomfort, embarrassment of Herpes, or pose a major risk of transmission to others you care about!

We'll consider what you need to do in a moment but first let us look at Herpes itself in some more detail:

What is herpes?

Herpes is a family name for certain viruses that, once they have accessed and infect the human body, can cause painful blisters and sores. Viruses are so small they can enter human cells and can integrate themselves in a variety of ways that makes them difficult or impossible (at this time) to destroy.

One of the major family sub-groups of Herpes is the 'simplex' strain. Herpes simplex also occurs in two distinct 'types' that are relevant to human health.

Herpes simplex type 1: this type of Herpes virus causes the aggravating lip and mouth blisters and sores called 'cold sores' or fever blisters, and technicall called Herpes labialis. It is HIGHLY infectious and can easily be spread by physical contact with an infected persons saliva. The virus contagion can also be spread to, and contracted from, other inanimate objects that may be 'shared' by family, friends or lovers - such as towels or toothbrushes! Once you have this infection - it is with you for life. But if you are fit and well (and do what you can to stay that way!) after an outbreak has settled down you may not experience either any further obvious symptoms or be infectious. But if you get run down and your system becomes imbalanced then you can see the familiar lip sores reappearing again (along with the accompanied infectiousness) - usually with the advance warning of an itchy, tingly senssation in the days prior to the blisters emerging.

Herpes simplex Type 2: is the version of the virus that is responsible for genital herpes, the dreaded Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) or Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) - referred to as Herpes genitalis. The infection has become such a sadly widespread and incurable problem. Indeed millions of people in the US alone suffer from permanent Herpes infection and some statistical sources suggest that infection now runs as high as 1-in-5 or even 1-in-4.

Naturally, such high infection rates means for a new victim that they are certainly not alone in their suffering. But it also implies, for those without the disease (so far), that they should maintain scrupulous standards when it comes to developing sexual relationships and engaging in intimacy - if they wish not to 'join the infected crowd'!

The key difference between Herpes simplex Type 1 and Type 2, it could be said, is the typical site of the blisters that appear at the first instance of infection and at subsequent times when the disease manifests itself in an outbreak. Yet it is as usual not as simple as all that - as outbreaks of blisters can occur in other places around the body (as can be seen here in the information about Herpes Relief)

Herpes zoster: Is the other major type of Herpes virus which affects many children in the form of Chicken Pox which also appears as a blister-like rash all over the body. You can also get Chicken Pox as an adult, but the illness can be more severe and unpleasant, so in many ways it is a good thing to get it out-of-the-way as a child. Although you will not get Chicken Pox again once your natural immunity has developed you will still have this Herpes virus in your system.

In later life if you become run down or highly stressed you may experience another form of outbreak of painful blisters that develop along certain nerve meridians around te torso, for instance, or in the scalp - this other 'herpetic' illness that is called Shingles. Shingles can be both painful and debilitating and the pain that radiates from blister sites can reoccur randomly at future times long after the blisters have gone.

More about genital herpes

It is probably a genital Herpes cure that most adults are concerned to seek information about when and if they discover, or suspect, they have acquired such an infection.

Catching an STD or STI such as Herpes can feel humiliating and embarrassing - but the last thing you want to do is to try to ignore, or deny that you have the problem. Herpes is a highly infectious condition during certain periods of the disease gestation and development and you would not want to find out that you had infected someone else, especially someone you care about, if you could have avoided it.

Although the obvious times that you are infectious with any kind of herpes infection is when the physical blisters are present - as the infectious pus is contained within them and as these rupture easily it can be on your skin surface and may even be spread to your hands, eyes and other parts of your body, especially if personal hygiene is not 100% scrupulous at all times.

But you can also be infectious at other times - even when you do not exhibit obvious symptoms.

Mothers who are Herpes 'positive' can also infect their new born babies at birth. Which is best avoided if possible as the illness can be serious for a new baby.

It is therefore important that if you see blistery outbreaks around your genitals - whether male or female - you should refer to your medical adviser at an early opportunity or visit a specialist clinic for assessment and diagnosis.

Herpes simplex Type 2 Development

After initial infection with the virus there are certain stages that the disease goes through as the virus multiplies and fully infects your system.

In the initial or 'Primary Stage' - which occur within the days following exposure due to sexual liaison with an infected person - small blisters develop on or around the genitalia. The pus filled blisters will be raised a little on a reddened base, and rupture easily.

But because they are small, and particularly for women may occur internally, you may not actually even notice them. You may feel some soreness or irritation - but even this could easily be ignored as 'just one of those things'.

However - you could begin to feel some discomfort when you urinate, and you might notice the development of a low grade fever and feel a bit 'fluey'.

Some people may simply not be aware of any particular symptoms at this stage - which of course is particularly dangerous for the spread of the disease if your current lifestyle happens to err towards the promiscuous, and you do not take barrier precautions when engaging in sex as a matter of course (NOTE: Even barrier methods such as the condom are not 100% effective as they may not cover the site of all blisters or protect you from all infectious fluids.)

The second stage of disease development is called the 'Latent stage'
because you will not be aware of anything. The blisters (if you noticed any) will disappear, the fluey symptoms clear up, and all-in-all you may be fooled into thinking you just had a 'bug'. But the Herpes virus is actually migrating from the infection sites on the skins surface through the blood stream to nerve centers close to the spinal chord.

Once it reaches these areas the thrid stage of 'Shedding' occurs. The virus rapidly multiplies and enters various bodily fluids. At this time the 'host' can be highly contagious as Herpes virus will be in their saliva and sexual fluids. However they may have no visible symptoms and will not be aware that they are spreading the disease to anyone else they may be kissing or having any form of sexual congress with.

Later on an infected person may go on to exhibit visible symptoms again - such as sores and blisters. These events - or 'Recurrences' - of the Herpes symptoms can be triggered by various things. For example a period of stress, or becoming run down and tired, may be enough to trigger the process of blister formation. Or other forms of physical trauma such as sun-burn or for women, going through their monthly cycle can bring on a recurrence of Herpes symptoms.

Generally future recurrences may be milder than initial infection and may (like cold sores) only be indicated by some local itchiness or tingling where the blisters develop. However the sufferer will be contagious, due to the blisters, and can pass the disease on to anyone with who they are inimate at this time.

Such is the clever and effective way that viruses use their host to ensure their further spread and successful dissemination.

Herpes Cure or Herpes Management? What to do next

As stated there are no current modern medicinal or pharmaceutical cures for Herpes.

However there are some things that may be prescribed to curtail an infection, by your medical practitioner, if they correctly diagnose your problem! These treatments can alleviate the symptoms if applied at the right time. But they are not always suitable or efficacious for everyone - and are certainly not as good as a Herpes cure!

Herpes virus was the first virus for which a drug was developed that can have an impact on the initial spread and development of the disease if caught early enough. But this chemical treatment is not always successful, will not actually stop you from being infected by the virus (although it may allay symptoms and stop a current visible occurrence of the illness). However these treatments cannot be used by everyone.

The typical drug treatment id based on 'Acyclovir' - marketed under the name 'Zovirax' which is available over-the-counter at pharmacies as a herpes treatment cream for cold sores and can halt development of fever blisters if applied early enough. Other pharmaceutical derivatives that you could be prescribed for the treatment of genital herpes include: Famciclovir (brand name: Famvir) and valacyclovir (brand name: Valtrex).

If used early enough these can halt the development of physical symptoms such as blisters. But they do not kill the virus throughout the body and further recurrences are always possible and even likely if other steps are not taken to strengthen and fortify the system. Consequently the disease can become a bit of a cycle-of-infection - with recurrent bouts and recurrent temporary pharmaceutical relief (AND cost) unless you take other important measures to effectively cure yourself of futures herpes outbreaks (SEE additional information link below).

Using the pharmaceutical solutions alone some people have reported worsening symptoms and/or unpleasant side-effects using these drug treatments and also - if not applied early enough they may have little or no impact on the progress of an outbreak or recurrence of herpes.

Some simple steps to alleviate Herpes discomfort

There are some simple steps you can take when suffering a recurrence of Herpes symptoms to reduce the discomfort such as:

* Taking aspirin or a NSAID - IF you can take them (always ask your Doctor for advice as some other health conditions would make taking these unwise).

* Use a moist, lukewarm or cooling, cloth on the aggravated areas (obviously only possible during private 'home treatment')

* Take a soothing lukewarm bath (you could use some camomile teabags in the bath - best brewed in a little hot water first then added to the bath for soothing effect) and otherwise...

* Keep the affected area clean, dry and cool.

* Wear light, breathable, natural cotton underwear and change frequently.

* Wear loose-fitting clothes to allow air to circulate and reduce the possibility of sweaty soreness developing.

Achieving a virtual Herpes cure

You should also follow the comprehensive guidelines provided by the complete herpes relief guide, as these herpes treatment protocols can help not only to alleviate symptoms and recurrences, but - if undertaken with some discipline and the motivation to be well and non-infectious - can also settle the problem, in effect, permanently. Which as mentioned earlier can be the closest thing to achieving a cure for herpes with the added benefit of employing only natural methods and easily implemented strategies.