Herpes Simplex Virus, and particularly genital herpes, is said to affect one in four sexually active adults. I personally think the numbers might be higher, due to under-reporting of what is, for some, a very embarrassing situation.

Currently, the only prescription medication we hear about is Valtrex and even then, you hear that nothing can cure herpes and that, even with medication, you can still spread it.

If that won’t put a damper on your love life, I don’t know what will.

But there are things you can do, responsible steps you can take, to lessen both your severity and occurrence of herpes outbreaks as well as the potential for spreading herpes to another.

Seven ways to outwit the herpes virus:

1. Find out what your herpes triggers are. Your most important tool, by far, is self-monitoring. Different people have different triggers for herpes outbreaks. By paying attention, you can find out if you are more likely to outbreak from sun exposure, stress, or arginine rich foods.

2. Learn how to recognize the predominant symptoms. Everyone goes at such a fast pace that it’s easy to overlook the precursors to an outbreak but they are almost always there, from 24 to 48 hours before the actual outbreak. If you can learn to pay attention to that very first tingling feeling in a previous outbreak area, that very first feeling of pain in the lymph nodes of the groin, and any feelings of heat in the area, you can take preventative steps that may avert an outbreak.

3. Avoid arginine-rich foods. For men and women into body-building, it’s important to look at any weight building or sports nutrition formulas you are taking, and make sure they don’t contain major doses of arginine. Even if you can take an arginine-rich formula normally, you can forgoes them during predome or stressful situations and reduce the risk of outbreak being triggered by arginine. Foods rich in arginine include peanuts, beer (I know you hate to read that one, fellas) and chocolate (the ladies hate to see that one here too),

4. Increase lysine-rich foods. Lysine tricks the herpes virus into thinking it can mate with it, in a manner of speaking, and helps neutralize it. You can also take lysine capsules. Foods rich in lysine include turkey, fish, cheese, yogurt and fresh vegetables.

5. Boost your immune system. Take a good antioxidant formula to help your immune system, which is your first line of defense against herpes, function at high alert.

6. Keep tea tree oil handy. Tea tree oil will kill the herpes virus on the surface and many find that applying the oil directly to previous outbreak areas whenever predome symptoms start can help avert an outbreak. If the oil burns, it can be diluted.

7. Use ice during predome. Another way to potentially avert an outbreak is to use and ice pack at the very first sign of predome symptoms.

This is not an article on safe sex but it stands to reason that using a condom whenever you feel an outbreak might be coming on, and abstaining altogether when an outbreak is present is smart.

Finally, remember that one in four sexually active adults have the virus so it may be that you telling him or her will open the door for them to tell you. And there are also dating clubs for people with herpes so if the prospect of having to reveal you have herpes is just too daunting, please realize you don’t have to stop dating altogether just because you have herpes.

by Neva Howell

Neva Howell is a wellness counselor of many years and she now maintains websites on different aspects of health and healing. For more tips for reducing the risk of herpes outbreaks, visit http://www.herpes-health-products.com/herpes-outbreaks.htm

Additional Reading: Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

There are some foods that have proven to be “herpes friendly” and some that seem to trigger outbreaks. So by knowing the “good” food and which ones to avoid, you could significantly lower the occurrence, severity and duration of your herpes outbreaks.

The reason some food is good and some bad is mainly because of two amino acids, namely Lysine and Arginine. Both these amino acids are found naturally in food. A Lysine-high and Arginine low diet is highly recommended for the treatment of herpes symptoms.

Why Lysine

Herpes needs Arginine to replicate itself. That is the reason why a Arginine Rich diet will result is more frequent, severe and longer outbreaks. Lysine on the other hand has an exact opposite effect.

Extensive Research has proven that Lysine hinders the absorption of Arginine; therefore limiting the replication of the herpes virus. This will result in less frequent and less severe herpes outbreaks.

Even though a high Lysine herpes diet alone may not be enough to stop herpes outbreaks, it is highly recommended that you include it as part of your herpes prevention program.

One more thing to keep in mind is that the effects of Lysine on herpes are stronger on Oral herpes than Genital Herpes.

With that said, here is a list of food that is high in lysine and should be included in your herpes diet:

1. Cheese
2. Meat
3. Legumes
4. Dairy products
5. Chicken
6. Potatoes
7. Eggs
8. Yogurt
9. Vegetables
10. Fish
11. Avocado
12. Beef
13. Soy Products (not Soya products, there is a difference)

Other foods that are highly recommended:

1. Broccoli
2. Cranberry
3. White and green tea

And here are some foods that are Arginine Rich. The following should be kept at a minimum in your herpes diet:

1. Chocolate
2. Coconut
3. Nuts
4. Oats
5. Soya beans
6. Raisins
7. Whole wheat bread
8. Cereal grains

In addition to a high Lysine and low Arginine diet, You could also take Lysine Supplements on a regular basis. The best supplement I know is “HERP-EEZE ™”. This is a Lysine supplement made specially to fight the herpes virus.

For other supplements I would suggest you ask your doctor or dietitian. Keep in mind though that lysine supplements are not recommended during pregnancy.

Herpes Diet conclusion: Try to create a balance in your herpes diet , there is no reason totally exclude Arginine Rich Foods in your diet. However try by all means to keep the ratio of Lysine Rich foods higher than that of the Arginine Rich Foods. If this is not possible you could try out some Lysine supplements as they will have the same effect.

With that said, keep in mind that Lysine and Arginine are only part of the problem. If you are interested in a much more detailed dietary management solution I recommend you check out this blog: http://www.all-about-herpes.blogspot.com/ It outlines the top Herpes Natural Treatment guides for 2008. These guides have helped thousands of people that now live free of herpes symptoms. I have no doubt that they will work for you too.

by John Martell

Additional Reading:

Genital Hepes Diet. – Natural Diet Plan For People Who Have Genital Herpes

Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

According to reliable sources and available data, herpes in females is more common and prevalent than in men. And since the most widespread cause of this female infection is sexual behavior, female genital herpes symptoms and infection are on a rise in all parts of the world.

Multiple sex partners due to sex at an early age, increase in the number of commercial sex workers, women with a previous history of genital infections are a few of the causes of females getting herpes outbreaks and infection.

Even biologically, women are more prone to this infection due to their urinary tract. It is more exposed than the male’s urinary tract. Thus, the chance is greater and the risk of infection is also high. There are certain precautions that need to be taken by females to prevent the contraction of this disease. Firstly, females should guard their sexual behavior; they should avoid having multiple sex partners and also use condoms if possible. They should be self disciplined and refrain themselves from exposure to this disease and they should try and remain as faithful as possible.

Some of the symptoms of the infection are sores that can erupt in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or cervix. No matter what is the cause of the infection, it is very essential to have a good understanding of the diseases and also its treatment. If it is detected early, one should start treatment as early as possible. Blood teats and PCR are currently being utilized by doctors and health care professionals are a few methods used for diagnosis and detection. There are many anti-viral drugs available which help in reducing the symptoms of the infection and also in preventing future outbursts.

By Pauline Go

Pauline Go is an online leading expert in medical industry. She also offers top quality medical tips :
Fake Doctors Sick Note , Symptoms Bone Cancer, Composition of Ultram Medication

Dr David Hoggs said in his StopHerpesNow site that people should NOT rely on conventional drugs to help you with viral infections. Here’s why:

1. Conventional drugs cause viruses to adapt to the antiviral drug itself, and then another antiviral drug is needed.

2. Conventional antiviral drugs cause unwanted side effects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, all over aching, dizziness, joint pain, rash, lethargy, confusion, anorexia, dry mouth, and agitation. And that’s just the common reactions!! More serious reactions are seizures, coma, low white blood cell count, kidney dysfunction, anaphylaxis, hepatitis, and encephalopathy. I don’t think you want to risk any of these happening to you!

3. Conventional antiviral medication is very expensive.

4. Conventional antivirals cause your body to be depleted of vitamins and nutrients such as L-Carnitine, Vitamin B12, and Copper.

Additional Reading: Stop Herpes Now and From Coming Back For Good by Dr David Hoggs