Definition:
There are over ninety viruses that belong to the family of herpes.
Only four are able to infect humans. One form causes chickenpox,
another Epstein-Barr and cytomegalovirus (CMV), finally herpes simplex
and herpes zoster. This section will address herpes simplex, which
causes cold sores and genital herpes.
Symptoms:
Both oral and genital herpes cause painful fluid-filled blisters.
These blisters are highly infectious until they are completely healed;
this usually takes up to three weeks. Oral herpes can appear within
2 to 7 days after exposure to the virus. Reoccurrence is common,
usually when a person is under stress, or infected with another
virus. In people who have been previously infected, cold sores will
appear frequently during a cold or flu. Genital herpes causes a
tingling and burning in the vaginal area, along with the presence
of blisters. These blisters can appear around the rectum, clitoris,
cervix, and vagina. In men blisters break out on the penis, groin,
and scrotum, accompanied by painful urination. While the blisters
are present this disease may be transmitted through sexual contact.
Avoidance of sex during this time is essential. Once a person has
been infected with herpes it never goes away. The virus lives in
the nerve cells and may appear when the immune system is depressed.
Herpes simplex will lie dormant for long periods of time until illness,
sun exposure, fatigue, or some other factor usually emotional stress
allows the virus to reappear.
Holistic Treatment Plan:
Treatment is designed to strengthen the immune system, through
dietary improvements and the proper supplementation.
References:
Levine, S. Ph.D., and Kidd, P.M. Ph.D., Antioxidant Adaptation
Its Role in Free Radical Pathology, San Francisco, CA Allergy Research
Croup, 1986
Balch, J.F., M.D. and Balch, P., C.N.C., Prescription for Nutritional
Healing, 2nd ed., Avery Publishing, NY 1997
Disclaimer:
All information given here is for educational purposes only. For
a proper diagnosis and treatment plan you must consult your health
care practitioner.
