Genital herpes Treatment
|
| Image Courtesy Wikipedia |
|---|
 |
Women are four times more likely to be infected with genital herpes than men are.
In addition, during the primary outbreak, women experience greater severity and more complications than their male counterparts do.
An outbreak typically starts as a rash, followed by itching or pain, and after a day or two, painful blisters erupt.
Herpes blisters usually cluster, forming a number of larger blisters. They then suppurate, burst and turn into shallow open sores.
The lesions crust over and the scabs flake off within a week to 10 days - without leaving scars.
Pelvic pain, vaginal discharge and painful or difficult urination are likely to follow if the herpes lesions extend to the cervix, urethra or vagina (as opposed to external infection).
In addition, headaches and flu-like symptoms often accompany the genital lesions during the first outbreak. Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the groin are also common.
Some women are more susceptible to the virus than others. Consequently, those that are will suffer another outbreak of herpes sores during the second week of genital herpes treatment.
----Sidebar----
Many sufferers engage in a relentless
Internet hunt for effective remedies, and
this is where interactive websites and
forums, such as our own Pay It Forward
section, play an important part.
----Sidebar----
Medication
Primary outbreaks are commonly treated with a 7 to 10 day course of antiviral medication. There are three tried and tested antiviral drugs, and one outstanding natural remedy available:- Valtrex. (Valacyclovir)
- Zovirax. (Acyclovir)
- Famvir. (Famiciclovir). Please note: The single dose version of Famvir is not recommended for primary outbreak treatment.
- Dinamiclear (Natural remedy)
Over-the-counter pain relievers and sensible home treatment procedures, as recommended later in this article, should accompany antiviral therapy.
Prodrmal Symptoms
Nature’s Early Warning System of an impending Herpes Outbreak.
A prodrome often occurs ahead of the onset of pimples or blisters, and first starts from a few hours to a couple of days before the outbreak begins.
The earliest indication is a distinctive tingling sensation accompanied by itching or pain in the affected area; this is a sure sign of an impending outbreak – once experienced, prodromal symptoms are not easily forgotten.
Ask your doctor to prescribe some standby herpes medication. Keep your pills handy and be forever vigilant for both a prodrome, and in the event of it going unnoticed, the first signs of genital herpes, such as a blister or rash.
Start your antiviral therapy as soon as possible after the first prodromal symptom (2 to 3 hours at the most). By doing so, your genital herpes treatment will reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak, and in some cases, prevent it from happening altogether.
The risk of herpes transmission during the infectious stage is also reduced with early treatment.
Episodic Genital Herpes Treatment
The standard duration of episodic treatment for genital herpes is 5 days. However, CDC guidelines support the use of shorter or less frequent dosing regimens for valacyclovir.
In addition, a recent study found that a 3-day course of valacyclovir (500 mg twice daily) is as effective as the standard 5-day regimen.
Extend therapy to 5 days if lesions persist. In such cases, dose with valacyclovir at 1 g once daily for 5 days, rather than 500 mg twice daily.
Apply a single treatment of Dynamiclear as soon as the pimples develop into full-blown sores. In most cases, this will reduce the lesions within 72 hours.
Suppressive Genital Herpes Treatment
Some doctors recommend daily antiviral therapy if you suffer from six or more genital herpes outbreaks a year.Although these drugs are expensive, suppressive treatment could improve your quality of life and reduce the chances of passing the virus on to others. However, many people using Dynamiclear after the initial outbreak find suppressive treatment unnecessary.
See your doctor once a year if you go the suppressive treatment route; the severity and duration of outbreaks diminish naturally over time, therefore at some point in the future, suppressive treatment will no longer be required.
Further Development
On Monday, March 1st, 2010 at a Dallas Trade Show, Merix Pharmaceuticals unveiled its new prescription-free genital herpes topical spray treatment.The new medication, known as Fast-Results!™ Genital Herpes Treatment follows up on their highly successful Echinacea derived Viracea® formula found in the Releev one-day cold sore treatment.
Although we haven’t had the opportunity to test the product, Fast-Results is purported to provide quick relief from the pain, burning and itching caused by the HSV-2 genital herpes virus.
In fact, during clinical trials it was shown to be fast and extremely effective in clearing up genital herpes lesions.
In her statement, Merix CEO, Meryl Squires said:
"We are very excited to bring this revolutionary product to consumers. Fast-Results! is a very effective topical treatment for immediate relief of the very painful symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks.
We believe it is time to change the stigma and embarrassment associated with this infection and help people get fast treatment so they can live life fully again.
Although we recommend it be used in conjunction with prescription medication, there are many people who cannot afford a prescription. Fast-Results! brings these people fast, easily available, over the counter treatment."
The product was released via CVS and Rite Aid stores in mid-May.
On the negative side, most drugs and vitamins produced by pharmaceutical giants are synthetic counterfeits mimicking the moleclular structure of their natural counterpart (in this case, Echinacea).
This is done simply because "Big Pharma" cannot patent organic remedies, but they can charge the earth for laboratory produced medication. See The Secret Health Files for some startling facts.
Home Based Genital Herpes Treatment
- Start your antiviral treatment and take 3000 mg of a Lysine supplement (obtainable from health food stores) at the very first sign of a prodrome or redness in the usual outbreak area. Follow up with 1,000 mg taken three times a day.
- Alkalize your body. This is one of the most important steps toward eliminating herpes outbreaks.
- Swallow a good multi-vitamin containing Zinc. Follow up with a vitamin B12 capsule. Repeat daily.
- Hold an ice cube against the suspect area until it melts. Repeat several times during the first day.
- Pay special attention to personal hygiene during genital herpes treatment.
- Take at least one warm sitz bath daily (more if your schedule permits). Dissolve a good handful of Epsom salts in the bathwater and soak for ten to fifteen minutes. These salts soothe and dry herpes sores and may help to relieve any itching and tenderness.
Gently wash the lower body after soaking, using a mild non-perfume soap or shower gel.
Take 2 - 4 warm showers daily if bathing is inconvenient. However you will have to forego the benefits of Epsom salts if this is the case. Carefully dab the genital area with a soft towel and then use a hair dryer on a low setting to complete the drying process.
- Cover the ulcers with a layer of Biogenic Aloe vera gel obtainable here. Use a q-tip to avoid touching the sores with your fingers.
Since biogenic aloe vera gel is odorless and non-sticky, apply two or three daily applications to speed up the healing process.
- Apply a single application of Dynamiclear after the lesions develop. Cover with a layer of biogenic aloe vera gel as soon as the moderate stinging subsides.
- Wear loose fitting cotton underpants. Unlike synthetic material, cotton absorbs moisture and allows air to circulate more readily. Also, the loose fitting underwear won’t cause unnecessary chaffing (some prefer going without underwear during an outbreak).
- Total abstinence from sex is essential during genital herpes treatment.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid stress.
- Stay fit and maintain a balanced alkaline diet.
Need Help? e-mail us at: remedybusters@gmail.com or click here.
Was This Article Helpful?
If so, a small donation (even $1) would help underwrite the cost of maintaining this website, and allow us to provide even more free home remedy content.To make a donation, use the button below and fill in an amount. Thanks!
PayPal - The safer, easier way to donate!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~References
- eMed TV: Herpes Treatment
- Web MD: Genital Herpes Health Center
- Mayo Clinic: Genital Herpes Treatments and drugs
Back to Home Remedy Site Home page, from Genital Herpes Treatment
