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Herpes Treatments ~ Medical/Pharmaceutical ~ Natural/Alternative
According to a survey conducted by the American Social Health Association in 1991, most
people diagnosed with Herpes had tried between two and five different therapies. These
included prescription drugs, OTC "cold sore" treatments, herbal remedies, vitamins,
nutritional changes, psychotherapy, etc. Here's a rundown of the most popular treatments.
Medically Based Pharmaceutical Treatments
While there is no cure yet for HSV, there are 3 anti-viral drugs that have been proven to have
a high efficacy in suppressing the Herpes Simplex Virus. These drugs also have been proven to
significantly reduce the severity, duration, and frequency of occurrences. The 3 drugs are: Acyclovir,
manufactured by Glaxo Smith-Kline under the trade name of Zovirax, now also available in generic;
Valacyclovir, a "prodrug" of acyclovir under the name of Valtrex; and Famciclovir under the brand of
Famvir. Valacyclovir and Famciclovir in clinical trials have proven to be more effective in their "uptake"
or absorption by the body than acyclovir.
Acyclovir has been widely available since 1981, has been shown to be very safe and
effective, yet has again been denied approval for over the counter sales (OTC) by the US FDA,
although it can be obtained in other countries OTC. There is now also a generic version of acyclovir
available. All three drugs must be prescribed by a licensed physician. Famvir and Valtrex are now
available for both intermittent “acute” and daily “suppressive” therapy.
There are basically two types of drug intervention. "Acute therapy" and "suppressive
therapy."
Acute therapy means taking the drug to reduce or prevent a specific, individual outbreak. It
involves taking regular doses of the medication for a period of usually 5 days, starting with the first signs
of impending outbreak. Since these medications work on new viruses as they are replicating and coming
out of latency, the best results are obtained by starting treatment at the very first indication of symptoms
- tingling, itching, or burning, before a lesion shows. If treatment is started after a blister or lesion has
formed, it may lessen or prevent any subsequent lesions, but it will not shorten the duration of the
current lesion by very much if at all.
Suppressive therapy, which is sometimes called prophylactic therapy, involves a daily
regimen of medication to "suppress" the activation of the HSV virus. Suppressive therapy can
be very useful for those patients who have a high frequency of recurrence, or who experience severe
physically and/or psychologically troublesome outbreaks. Also, some people who want to reduce the risk
of transmission to their sexual partners take suppressive doses of antiviral medication to reduce both the
rate of outbreaks and asymptomatic shedding. The anti-viral medications can be quite expensive, and
buying them in larger quantities can help reduce the long-term costs. Some people may wish to consult
with their doctor about a program, and see if she/he can arrange for a renewable refill in conjunction with
their insurance company for ease and economy.
There are other drugs for the treatment of HSV in special situations, including Foscarnet
(phosphonoformic acid), which is given by injection to severely immunosuppressed patients; idoxuridine,
for external use in ocular herpes infections only; and vidarabine also used for eye infections.
Topical Treatments
There are a variety of topical products on the market labeled for "cold sores," "fever
blisters." There are no OTC products specifically labeled for genital herpes. Except for the
prescription drug Zovirax, which acts on the virus itself, the predominant action of these products is to
relieve symptoms by softening the sores or scabs, drying the infection site, and/or reducing pain. The
topical ointment form of acyclovir (by prescription in the US, OTC in Australia) has been shown to have
some effectiveness during a primary episode, but very limited effectiveness in recurrent episodes, due to
the action of the drug on emerging viral DNA, and as it is not well-absorbed into the skin. It does help to
reduce viral shedding, and may decrease the length of outbreak by a day or two. There are several new
topical products being tested and seeking approval from the FDA for sale in the US. We’ll keep you
posted as they become available
Many of the available OTC products contain ingredients, such as alcohol, which can cause
stinging and further irritation of the infected area. Topical creams and ointments may even slow
the healing of HSV outbreaks by over-drying or irritating the site. Many also contain lidocaine or
benzocaine as a temporary numbing agent, only partially effective, which can lead to allergic reactions in
some people. Some OTC topical medications labeled for treatment of cuts, wounds, or infections also
contain corticosteroids, which are not effective against HSV, and can initiate and p rolongoutbreaks.
Experts strongly advise against using any kind of topical cortisone-type cream on herpes, as they
suppress the local immunity, and may worsen outbreaks significantly.
Medical experts generally recommend keeping herpes outbreaks clean, dry, and uncovered.
Many women, who may experience extreme burning and pain during urination, find covering the lesions
with petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment prior to urination to be very helpful. Occasional use of
antibiotic ointments, while having no effect on the virus or outbreak itself, may also help to prevent
secondary bacterial infection in some cases, and may soothe areas subject to friction. Some people
have found Aloe to be effective as a soothing agent for areas subject to chafing.
Natural and Alternative Treatments
There are a number of natural and alternative treatments that have been anecdotally
reported to be effective in treating or suppressing HSV. HerpeSite friends and others have
reported the most success with lifestyle and dietary adjustments.
L-Lysine is a naturally occurring amino acid that can be found in a number of foods. Lysine
supplementation has been anecdotally reported to be effective in ranges of 200 - 1000 mg a day.
Scientific studies have shown conflicting results with lysine, but many people with herpes believe that it
works well for them.
Garlic is reported to have anti-viral properties.
Numerous herbs and essential oils, inluding melissa, echinacea, ti tree, goldenseal, licorice, and
others, have been tried as internal or external treatments, with varying results.
Reduction of foods high in the amino acid arginine, particularly chocolate and nuts, seems to help
many, although recent studies have indicated that arginine is an immune-enhancer. And, of course,
many people feel better about life when they eat chocolate, and recent studies have shown that
chocolate and especially dark chocolate contains compounds that are good for the immune system as
well as enhancing the "feel-good" chemistry in the brain... so we say "go for it!"
Restriction of caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and processed foods have been widely reported as
helping to curb outbreaks. These substances are very acidic which irritates the cells of the body.
Coffee has been demonstrated to be a nerve stimulant, is highly acidic, and may have the effect of
irritating the nerves and increasing outbreaks.
Increasing intake of anti-oxidant vitamins, zinc, and iron seems also to help many. Anti-oxidants
are extremely important in maintaining healthy cells and immune system. There are many foods and
supplements available that contain anti-oxidants. Some of our favorites include pomegranate juice, wild
blueberries, and goji berries, and the powder anti-oxidant/electrolyte supplement Emergen-C. We've
recently become familiar with the supplement line Juice Plus+, which is endorsed by leading Infectious
Disease specialist Dr. Richard DeBois, and consider them to be the best overall supplement products
we've found. For more information, go to the Health&Wellness page of HerpeSite.
New Treatments and "Cures" as Seen on The Internet
There are many other non-traditional "treatments" or "remedies" such as various homeopathic products,
algae, colloidal silver, hydrogen peroxide, etc. HerpeSite has not yet read of any conclusive benefits to
these products. Many of these products may be beneficial in some ways, many may be ineffective yet
harmless, and some may be ineffective and unhealthful or even dangerous to certain people. Please
research any treatment, even so-called "natural" ones, very carefully before attempting
them. Also please take note whether the people behind the message have a financial agenda for
promoting those particular products.
Currently, there is no documented evidence of any treatment or product that can cure
Herpes. In their quest for hope and relief, people with Herpes can become vulnerable to false claims,
scams, and purported cures for HSV. Be aware that organizations and individuals exist that prey on the
emotional hopes or fears of people, and people newly diagnosed are especially vulnerable. There are
many radical alternative procedures and concoctions being promoted as a "cure" for Herpes. HerpeSite
advises all they should proceed very cautiously when investigating or exploring alternative therapies of
any sort. We also suggest you consult with your health care provider before proceeding with
implementing any radical regimen.
Buyer Beware!!! HerpeSite knows that there are many dedicated people and organizations working
diligently to find new treatments and even a cure for herpes. It is our belief that when a legitimate
possible or definite CURE has been discovered, there will be much fanfare and celebration. Indeed, the
people who discover a cure for herpes will become historical figures like Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk,
Madame Curie, and Albert Einstein, and they will no doubt win the Nobel Prize for Medicine. There have
been, and are, many miracles in this world, and a cure may not necessarily be discovered through or by
an established medical or pharmaceutical company, and may come from a small or surprising
independent or "alternative" source. Even so, beware of any treatments touted as "cures," and
remember the adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"
The good news is that with time and taking good care of yourself, most people find that
outbreaks and other aspects of Herpes tend to reduce in both number and severity. So that's
something to look forward to! More tips on how to improve your physical and emotional well-
being to support a healthy and strong immune system can be found on the Health&Wellness
page of HerpeSite.
According to a survey conducted by the American Social Health Association in 1991, most
people diagnosed with Herpes had tried between two and five different therapies. These
included prescription drugs, OTC "cold sore" treatments, herbal remedies, vitamins,
nutritional changes, psychotherapy, etc. Here's a rundown of the most popular treatments.
Medically Based Pharmaceutical Treatments
While there is no cure yet for HSV, there are 3 anti-viral drugs that have been proven to have
a high efficacy in suppressing the Herpes Simplex Virus. These drugs also have been proven to
significantly reduce the severity, duration, and frequency of occurrences. The 3 drugs are: Acyclovir,
manufactured by Glaxo Smith-Kline under the trade name of Zovirax, now also available in generic;
Valacyclovir, a "prodrug" of acyclovir under the name of Valtrex; and Famciclovir under the brand of
Famvir. Valacyclovir and Famciclovir in clinical trials have proven to be more effective in their "uptake"
or absorption by the body than acyclovir.
Acyclovir has been widely available since 1981, has been shown to be very safe and
effective, yet has again been denied approval for over the counter sales (OTC) by the US FDA,
although it can be obtained in other countries OTC. There is now also a generic version of acyclovir
available. All three drugs must be prescribed by a licensed physician. Famvir and Valtrex are now
available for both intermittent “acute” and daily “suppressive” therapy.
There are basically two types of drug intervention. "Acute therapy" and "suppressive
therapy."
Acute therapy means taking the drug to reduce or prevent a specific, individual outbreak. It
involves taking regular doses of the medication for a period of usually 5 days, starting with the first signs
of impending outbreak. Since these medications work on new viruses as they are replicating and coming
out of latency, the best results are obtained by starting treatment at the very first indication of symptoms
- tingling, itching, or burning, before a lesion shows. If treatment is started after a blister or lesion has
formed, it may lessen or prevent any subsequent lesions, but it will not shorten the duration of the
current lesion by very much if at all.
Suppressive therapy, which is sometimes called prophylactic therapy, involves a daily
regimen of medication to "suppress" the activation of the HSV virus. Suppressive therapy can
be very useful for those patients who have a high frequency of recurrence, or who experience severe
physically and/or psychologically troublesome outbreaks. Also, some people who want to reduce the risk
of transmission to their sexual partners take suppressive doses of antiviral medication to reduce both the
rate of outbreaks and asymptomatic shedding. The anti-viral medications can be quite expensive, and
buying them in larger quantities can help reduce the long-term costs. Some people may wish to consult
with their doctor about a program, and see if she/he can arrange for a renewable refill in conjunction with
their insurance company for ease and economy.
There are other drugs for the treatment of HSV in special situations, including Foscarnet
(phosphonoformic acid), which is given by injection to severely immunosuppressed patients; idoxuridine,
for external use in ocular herpes infections only; and vidarabine also used for eye infections.
Topical Treatments
There are a variety of topical products on the market labeled for "cold sores," "fever
blisters." There are no OTC products specifically labeled for genital herpes. Except for the
prescription drug Zovirax, which acts on the virus itself, the predominant action of these products is to
relieve symptoms by softening the sores or scabs, drying the infection site, and/or reducing pain. The
topical ointment form of acyclovir (by prescription in the US, OTC in Australia) has been shown to have
some effectiveness during a primary episode, but very limited effectiveness in recurrent episodes, due to
the action of the drug on emerging viral DNA, and as it is not well-absorbed into the skin. It does help to
reduce viral shedding, and may decrease the length of outbreak by a day or two. There are several new
topical products being tested and seeking approval from the FDA for sale in the US. We’ll keep you
posted as they become available
Many of the available OTC products contain ingredients, such as alcohol, which can cause
stinging and further irritation of the infected area. Topical creams and ointments may even slow
the healing of HSV outbreaks by over-drying or irritating the site. Many also contain lidocaine or
benzocaine as a temporary numbing agent, only partially effective, which can lead to allergic reactions in
some people. Some OTC topical medications labeled for treatment of cuts, wounds, or infections also
contain corticosteroids, which are not effective against HSV, and can initiate and p rolongoutbreaks.
Experts strongly advise against using any kind of topical cortisone-type cream on herpes, as they
suppress the local immunity, and may worsen outbreaks significantly.
Medical experts generally recommend keeping herpes outbreaks clean, dry, and uncovered.
Many women, who may experience extreme burning and pain during urination, find covering the lesions
with petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment prior to urination to be very helpful. Occasional use of
antibiotic ointments, while having no effect on the virus or outbreak itself, may also help to prevent
secondary bacterial infection in some cases, and may soothe areas subject to friction. Some people
have found Aloe to be effective as a soothing agent for areas subject to chafing.
Natural and Alternative Treatments
There are a number of natural and alternative treatments that have been anecdotally
reported to be effective in treating or suppressing HSV. HerpeSite friends and others have
reported the most success with lifestyle and dietary adjustments.
L-Lysine is a naturally occurring amino acid that can be found in a number of foods. Lysine
supplementation has been anecdotally reported to be effective in ranges of 200 - 1000 mg a day.
Scientific studies have shown conflicting results with lysine, but many people with herpes believe that it
works well for them.
Garlic is reported to have anti-viral properties.
Numerous herbs and essential oils, inluding melissa, echinacea, ti tree, goldenseal, licorice, and
others, have been tried as internal or external treatments, with varying results.
Reduction of foods high in the amino acid arginine, particularly chocolate and nuts, seems to help
many, although recent studies have indicated that arginine is an immune-enhancer. And, of course,
many people feel better about life when they eat chocolate, and recent studies have shown that
chocolate and especially dark chocolate contains compounds that are good for the immune system as
well as enhancing the "feel-good" chemistry in the brain... so we say "go for it!"
Restriction of caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and processed foods have been widely reported as
helping to curb outbreaks. These substances are very acidic which irritates the cells of the body.
Coffee has been demonstrated to be a nerve stimulant, is highly acidic, and may have the effect of
irritating the nerves and increasing outbreaks.
Increasing intake of anti-oxidant vitamins, zinc, and iron seems also to help many. Anti-oxidants
are extremely important in maintaining healthy cells and immune system. There are many foods and
supplements available that contain anti-oxidants. Some of our favorites include pomegranate juice, wild
blueberries, and goji berries, and the powder anti-oxidant/electrolyte supplement Emergen-C. We've
recently become familiar with the supplement line Juice Plus+, which is endorsed by leading Infectious
Disease specialist Dr. Richard DeBois, and consider them to be the best overall supplement products
we've found. For more information, go to the Health&Wellness page of HerpeSite.
New Treatments and "Cures" as Seen on The Internet
There are many other non-traditional "treatments" or "remedies" such as various homeopathic products,
algae, colloidal silver, hydrogen peroxide, etc. HerpeSite has not yet read of any conclusive benefits to
these products. Many of these products may be beneficial in some ways, many may be ineffective yet
harmless, and some may be ineffective and unhealthful or even dangerous to certain people. Please
research any treatment, even so-called "natural" ones, very carefully before attempting
them. Also please take note whether the people behind the message have a financial agenda for
promoting those particular products.
Currently, there is no documented evidence of any treatment or product that can cure
Herpes. In their quest for hope and relief, people with Herpes can become vulnerable to false claims,
scams, and purported cures for HSV. Be aware that organizations and individuals exist that prey on the
emotional hopes or fears of people, and people newly diagnosed are especially vulnerable. There are
many radical alternative procedures and concoctions being promoted as a "cure" for Herpes. HerpeSite
advises all they should proceed very cautiously when investigating or exploring alternative therapies of
any sort. We also suggest you consult with your health care provider before proceeding with
implementing any radical regimen.
Buyer Beware!!! HerpeSite knows that there are many dedicated people and organizations working
diligently to find new treatments and even a cure for herpes. It is our belief that when a legitimate
possible or definite CURE has been discovered, there will be much fanfare and celebration. Indeed, the
people who discover a cure for herpes will become historical figures like Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk,
Madame Curie, and Albert Einstein, and they will no doubt win the Nobel Prize for Medicine. There have
been, and are, many miracles in this world, and a cure may not necessarily be discovered through or by
an established medical or pharmaceutical company, and may come from a small or surprising
independent or "alternative" source. Even so, beware of any treatments touted as "cures," and
remember the adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"
The good news is that with time and taking good care of yourself, most people find that
outbreaks and other aspects of Herpes tend to reduce in both number and severity. So that's
something to look forward to! More tips on how to improve your physical and emotional well-
being to support a healthy and strong immune system can be found on the Health&Wellness
page of HerpeSite.
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