Q: This is embarrassing to admit, but I have genital herpes. I understand that it stays with you for life. Can you offer some advice on any natural ways to help with the symptoms?
A: Don1t be embarrassed. Congratulations on having the good sense to take control of your life and seek out answers to such a seemingly exasperating problem. Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV. There are two types of HSV, and both can cause genital herpes. HSV type 1 most commonly infects the lips, causing sores known as fever blisters, or cold sores, but it can also infect the genital area. HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, which can cause sores on the genitals, urinary passages and the groin area. HSV type 2 can also infect the mouth, however. (We1re talking oral sex here, folks. And HSV can be spread even when there1s not an outbreak of sores, so keep in mind that there really isn1t a 3safe2 mode of sex when HSV is involved.) Most people who have genital herpes don1t even know it because they never have any symptoms or they do not recognize any symptoms they might have. Most often, when a person becomes infected with herpes for the first time, the symptoms will appear within two to 10 days. Those first episodes of symptoms usually last two to three weeks.
HSV remains in certain nerve cells of the body for life and can produce symptoms on and off in some infected people. There are medications that can help prevent outbreaks and ease symptoms when an outbreak does occur, such as Acyclovir, Famciclovir and Valacyclovir.
In my many years as a 3sexpert2 I1ve had countless inquiries as to how to handle the discomfort and inconvenience of genital herpes. As far as a natural approach is concerned, this is what has worked the best for those who took my advice. Note: Please check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplement.
‘L-lysine, 500 milligrams twice daily. You can also make a paste to apply topically to the sores by emptying the necessary amount of l-lysine capsules into a small bowl and mixing the substance with water until it reaches an oatmeal consistency. Only use as many capsules as you would need for one application. Apply liberally to the sores until they go away. Usually, it only takes a day or two.
‘Beta-carotene, 100,000 international units per day for two weeks. After that, drop to 50,000 units per day for two weeks, and then go to 25,000 units per day as a maintenance dose. Beta-carotene has proven beneficial as an antiviral agent, and it also speeds healing of mouth and genital tissues. You1ll probably notice your eyesight improving to boot.
‘Vitamin C. While the sores are there, take 10,000 milligrams per day in divided doses. Ester-C is the most highly absorbable type of vitamin C and is less irritating on the stomach. A maintenance dose of vitamin C should fall somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 milligrams per day.
You can learn more about HSV by contacting the National Herpes Hotline at (919) 361-8488.
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