Introduction
Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for Herpes. Although there are numerous treatments available - pharmacological and non-pharmacologic - that can help fight infection, the virus is never completely eradicated from the body. Once the infection and its clinical manifestations have been treated, in fact, the Herpes simplex remains silent in the body as it is kept under control by the immune system.
Therefore, in general, it can be said that the best cure for Herpes is prevention.
Prevention
As mentioned, the best method to treat Herpes is prevention.
The best cure against this annoying virus strain therefore lies in our immune system which must be kept efficient and active.
To do this, it is sufficient to make some improvements in one's habits, abandoning dangerous vices and concentrating instead on a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Sport
People who do sports, or who in any case practice a regular physical activity suitable to their abilities, in general, are less susceptible to the development of the infection.
Sport, in fact, is a powerful medicine against stress (one of the risk factors for the onset of herpetic infection), it helps to relax and strengthens our body's defenses. Regularly practicing 30-40 minutes of physical activity at least three times a week, we will have many more weapons available to fight Herpes viruses .
Supply
Even nutrition, if well calibrated, makes us less susceptible to illness. When you want to improve some deficient immune defenses, it is important to take the right doses of vitamins and minerals. In particular, nutrition must absolutely meet the needs of vitamin C, magnesium and iron.
It is important, however, not to overdo the intake of these substances because their excess could, paradoxically, give the opposite effect to what was hoped for. Allergies, intolerances and indigestions are, in fact, powerful stimuli to the viral action, favored by the temporary decrease of the immune defenses.
Foods particularly suitable for improving the efficiency of the immune system are citrus fruits, algae, echinacea and beehive products: honey, royal jelly and propolis. A rather ancient remedy, but certainly effective in promoting the resolution of symptoms, consists precisely in the application of a drop of propolis tincture on the diseased part before going to bed.
Meat, fish and dairy products should not be lacking in the diet as they are rich in an amino acid, lysine, which would seem to counteract the onset of recurrences. Another amino acid, arginine, has instead been linked to episodes of Herpes virus reactivation. This amino acid is mainly found in dried fruit, chocolate, some types of red wine and protein supplements for sportsmen.
There are therefore no miracle foods in the treatment and prevention of Herpes, although some appear to be more suitable than others.
Other preventive strategies
In addition to improving one's life habits, prevention must also be exercised in the case of family members or cohabitants suffering from herpetic infections. In these cases, in fact, it is important to avoid sharing objects of common use such as lip sticks, make-up products, towels or any other object that may favor the transmission of the infection from one individual to another.
Medicines and Remedies
Medicines and effective solutions for the treatment of herpes
If the preventive approach, aimed at strengthening the immune system and reducing risk factors, fails, the use of specific therapies and treatments should be considered.
As mentioned, the medicines still known can alleviate the symptoms of the disease but they can do nothing against the virus, which after infection will remain inside the body for life. The Herpes virus after having been defeated by the immune system will, in fact, lurk within the sensitive ganglia where they will be sheltered from drugs and antibodies.
Pharmacological therapy
Although a definitive cure does not exist, there are many useful medicines to speed up "healing" and avoid complications. Let's see the most important:
- Zinc and / or heparin based creams : they reduce the duration of the eruption, especially if applied together with the first signs of tingling or a sense of heat on the lips. However, after this time (6-12 hours), these products lose much of their effectiveness in treating the disease.
- Antiviral drugs : drugs with antiviral action such as acyclovir and its more recent derivatives famciclovir, penciclovir and valaciclovir can be used to accelerate the resolution of the infection, even if, as repeatedly stated, they are not able to eradicate the virus from the body. However, these active ingredients act on viral polymerases preventing the replication of Herpes viruses and are therefore effective even if taken after the first warning symptoms appear.
In the case of Herpes genitalis these drugs are particularly useful during acute manifestations in pregnancy, as the infection could be transmitted to the baby during birth. In any case, to prevent this, it is good to report to your doctor any past episode attributable to the typical symptoms of Herpes virus infection .
At the same time, antiviral drugs are very useful in the preventive therapy of a fearsome Herpes zoster complication called post-herpetic neuralgia.
Antiviral drugs can be taken topically or orally, depending on the type and severity of the infection affecting each patient. The type of drug and the route of administration, therefore, will be established by the doctor on an individual basis.
- Interferon : due to its powerful anti-viral action, interferon can also be used against herpetic infections.
- Immunostimulants : if there is a real deficit of the immune system despite the adoption of a healthy lifestyle; in this regard natural or synthetic thymic hormones have been shown to be effective (See also: immunostimulant plants).
- Vaccines : there are several specific vaccines against Herpes viruses currently being tested. Already available for some years is the vaccine against fire of St. Anthony (Zostavax ®).
Natural remedies
For more information: Herpes: Natural Remedies
In cases where the herpetic infection is not particularly severe, recourse to some natural remedies may be useful to facilitate wound healing.
Among these, we recall:
- Propolis, a bee product with strong antimicrobial and disinfectant properties.
- Essential oil of melaleuca (tea tree oil), with well-known germicidal and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Echinacea, useful both topically thanks to its antiviral properties, and orally thanks to its immunostimulant properties.
- Aloe, a plant whose extracts have healing, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory activity.
However - although these are natural remedies - it is always a good idea to seek the advice of your doctor before using them for treating Herpes infections.
Useful tips
When the itching or other typical symptoms of Herpes infection (such as pain) are particularly intense and bothersome, you can get some benefit by following a few simple tips:
- In case of itching, but above all, very intense pain, it can be useful to take pain-relieving drugs (such as, for example, NSAIDs).
- In the case of cold sores, the symptoms may be weakened by applying specific protective creams or specific lip sticks to the lips.
- Keep the affected area clean and dry and, if necessary, protect it with sterile gauze.
- In the case of very severe pain, the use of anesthetic creams can be useful, however their use can slow down the resolution of herpetic lesions and, in any case, should be prescribed by the doctor.
- Use underwear and clothes made of natural fibers, avoiding those made of synthetic fiber that can irritate the skin and hinder healing.
- Finally, many patients experience relief from the symptoms of herpes by running hot water over the lesions.
