If you have been diagnosed with, or suspect you may
be suffering from, a genital herpes infection you
will be anxious to find out what forms of treatment
are available to you. Even though you will be very
disappointed to read that there is no cure for the
virus, there are definite Herpes medications to manage
the outbreaks and relieve the symptoms. Although genital
herpes will eventually clear up without treatment,
it is much better to start taking a medication which
can be used to help reduce both the symptoms and the
duration of the infection.
What is Herpes?
Genital
herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused
by the herpes simplex virus and you will be interested
to know that the very common “cold sores”
are also part of the same family of the herpes simplex
virus.
Herpes Treatments?
Several decades ago, treatment options for herpes included the direct application of deoxyglucose or the actual removal of infected areas by surgery. It was soon found that the former option was ineffective while the latter course often resulted in the spread of the herpes along the scar which was left after the surgery. This is not surprising considering how infectious the herpes virus is. Herpes is a virus that infects the nervous system and the infection is permanent. Most people suffering from herpes can expect a recurrence about four times per year. One of the big problems is that infected people can keep on re-infecting themselves either on the skin area itself or from nerve cell to nerve cell and this is why it is so important to take medication to treat the symptoms of the herpes.
About fifteen years ago anti-viral medications for oral use first came on the market and studies indicated that these were safe and effective. Since then it has been found that this medication if taken on a daily basis can reduce recurrence frequency from approximately four times per annum to about once a year. Also when the recurrence does occur, the symptoms are milder and of shorter duration.
Modern Treatments that Work!
In the last few years, a number of non-prescription medications made from essential oils and other natural products have become available. These too have all been shown to have anti-viral properties against herpes simplex. If they are taken in a combined format where one product treats the outbreak of the herpes while the other provides a daily maintenance preventative program, the results have been very successful.
Obviously there is ongoing research into new and improved herpes medication and it is important to keep abreast of what these developments may be. Current research is looking for ways to develop a herpes vaccine and this would certainly be a very welcome breakthrough.
Resources
• www.epigee.org
• www.bbc.co.uk
• www.herpes.org
• www.amoils.com
