As of now there is no
treatment to cure herpes. However, there are treatments available with
medications that can help keep the virus under control. The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved three prescription medicines for herpes treatment,
which can be prescribed by a doctor.
| Drug | Indication | Mode of Action | Administered Form |
| Acyclovir (Zovirax®) | Herpes zoster (shingles) and recurrent HSV-2 and Oral Herpes | Disrupts the virusí ability to reproduce. (replicate) | Capsules or Tablets.
Cream for use in oral herpes Primary--> for 10 days Recurrent-> for 5 days |
| Valacyclovir (Valtrex®) | Oral Herpes and Genital Herpes | Disrupts the virusí ability to reproduce. (replicate) | Capsules or Tablets
Primary--> w/in 48 hours --> for 10 days Recurrent -> w/in 24 hours -> for 5 days. |
| Famciclovir (Famvir®) | Oral Herpes and Genital Herpes | Disrupts the virusí ability to reproduce. (replicate) | Capsules or Tablets.
Cream for use in oral herpes Primary --> w/in 6 hours --> for 5 days. |
Treatment and Therapy Facts
Acyclovir (Zovirax®):
has been used for over 10 years and is available in generic form.
Treatment Class : Anti-infective.
Manufacture: GlaxoWellcome
Valacyclovir (Valtrex®): uses
acyclovir as its active ingredient.
is better absorbed by the body and can be taken less often.
Famciclovir (Famvir®):
is similar to acyclovir.
is also better absorbed and can be taken less often.
NOTE: Clinical studies have not found any
major difference in effectiveness of these three drugs.
Their main difference is in how often the drug must be taken.
These drugs are all safe and have almost no side effects. [25]
Treatment Options
Episodic therapy:
Episodic therapy means taking the medication only
during an outbreak to speed healing. A doctor will prescribe
treatment to take at the first sign of recurrence and continue treatment
for five days. For first episodes, the healing
time can be dramatically reduced. During recurrences, the outbreak
can be shortened by about two days.
Suppressive Therapy:
Suppressive therapy means taking an anti-viral medication daily as a preventative measure. By prophylactically taking one of these anti-viral drugs, patients can lower the number of outbreaks and, for some patients, prevent them altogether. Positively, this therapy is believed to help reduce asymptomatic shedding which can help prevent the unnecessary spread of HSV. In order to confirm this possibility, current research studies are analyzing whether on-going anti-viral medication does indeed help prevent transmission. [25] Until then, suppressive therapy is indicated on a daily basis for someone who is having frequent, recurrent outbreaks, or who is immuno-compromised. [56]
Psychological Therapy:
Being diagnosed with Herpes can be depressing and cause personal with-drawal
from sexual activity.
Fortunately, people who have been diagnosed with herpes can regain a feeling
of control over their lives
with the use of anti-viral medications. However, many people with herpes
do not feel the need to take
medication because their outbreaks are mild or infrequent. Someone with
Herpes Simples
Virus is advised to talk with their doctor about what is best for them.
[25]
Alternative Treatments
LYSINE
Current research has determined that herpes DNA uses the amino acid L-arginine to replicate itself. In relation, another amino acid, L-lysine, was found to block the bio- availability of arginine thereby assisting in suppressing HSV replication. Promisingly, it has been demonstrated that lysine concentrations similar to those found in human blood can suppress herpes growth in lab cultures." [33] Also encouraging are results attained with topical application of lysine, through lysine-based creams and ointments, it was reported that herpes sufferers using lysine cream experience sores that "dry up fast." [33][34]
Suggested Diet:
| Avoid foods high in arginine: | Eat foods rich in lysine: |
| Chocolate | Dairy Products |
| Nuts | Fish |
| Peanut Butter | Eggs |
| Jello | Turkey |
SANDWOOD OIL
Sandalwood
oil, the essential oil of the Santalum album L, was found to inhibit viral
replication of
HSV-1 by an unknown mechanism. [73]
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