Herpes is one of the most common viruses affect people today. It is believed that up to 98 percent of the population is affected by one strain or another of the herpes virus. It is also related to Epstein-Barr disease and more commonly the chicken pox and shingles. What was once seen as a common childhood ailment, science now understands will cause shingles, it is also now understood that these viruses are stored in the nerve cells of the spine and can lay dormant there for sometimes years or even decades, before emerging.

While in America science says there is currently no cure for herpes, this is the subject of some controversy as there are those in the alternative medicine and natural medicine communities that insist that there is a cure for herpes in other countries around the world, but in America due to the colossal nature of the pharmaceutical industry, it is only good business for doctors and drug companies to just keep putting a band-aid on the problem but not actually fix it, and the topic is a further thorn in the side of the drug companies because most alternative cures are naturally occurring meaning that they cannot be patented and profited from.

While this debate rages on, patients afflicted with one of the herpes viruses, should know that there are many possible treatments available with regard to essential oils.

While the choices are many, there are several that have been distinguished as the best ones. First and foremost is Tea Tree oil. Once one of the most expensive essential oils, its popularity has helped to regulate the price some and it can now be easily obtained at any pharmacy. It is Anti viral, Anti Bacterial and anti fungal, it is also a powerful immune stimulant. Tea Tree oil also helps to relieve dryness, itching, and pain of cold sores or genital herpes lesions, and can also help to prevent scarring, this is very important in cases of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 that causes cold sores or lesions on the face.

Lavender oil Is a great skin protectant that is anti-viral, anti-septic and anti- inflammatory that protects both the lesions and the surrounding skin tissue helps to relieve the pain and discomfort during the outbreak, as well as the anxiety associated with the condition, and is useful for any lingering neuralgia after the outbreak has stopped.

Eucalyptus oil is also very useful in treating herpes it has a cooling effect that helps with the “heat” associated with herpes outbreaks, specifically when the outbreak occurs in the anal region, it is also anti viral and anti-bacterial.

All of these things can be used in conjunction with suppression therapy, and your acyclovir treatments. So if you have recently been diagnosed, or if you have suffered with this since childhood, help is available please give one of these a try and you will be so glad that you did.

by: Debbie Gez

Additional Reading:

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

Positive Single – Support site for herpes members.

t is always a good idea to know the stages of herpes transmission as it can help you to understand how this virus is spread. There are 80% of those who are infected with this virus that don’t even know they carry the disease. This is why it is so important to educate yourself in order to help prevent the spread of this virus.

These stages pertain to both HSV-1 which is referred to as cold sores that appear around the mouth and eyes (ocular herpes) and HSV-2 which generally affects the genital area. The viruses can be carried in bodily fluids such as saliva, semen, fluid in the female genital tract or in fluid from the herpes sore. Usually within three days to two weeks after first contact of the virus the infection enters the body. The direct contact of a blister or sore during an outbreak is when there is the highest risk to spread the infection.

Prodrome Stage: This stage is the very beginning of the virus. It includes the burning, itching, tingling feeling you experience at the onset of an outbreak. You may also experience flu-like symptoms that include fever and body aches.

Infection Stage: Red bumps will begin to appear followed by the formation of blisters. This can either be one blister or many. These blisters then break open to expose an ulcer like wound which will then scab over. After the scab falls off this means the infection is over.

Latent Stage: The virus will begin to replicate when it comes into contact with the mucosal surfaces or skin wounds. It then transports itself within nerve cells to their roots where it remains in its latent stage, meaning inactive, for a period of time. During this stage of herpes, the virus is not transmissible.

Shedding Stage: The herpes virus does not stay latent and at some point it will begin to replicate again without causing symptoms which is called shedding. During this stage is when the virus is the most transmissible through bodily fluids and can infect other people. This is the most dangerous stage of all as this is when the virus is undetectable with the high risk of spreading. This stage of herpes accounts for about a third of all HSV-2 infections.

The benefits of knowing the stages of herpes can help in preventing the transmission of the virus. It is very difficult during the latent stage to prevent spreading this disease but there are ways to reduce the risk through medications. Reducing the risk of transmission during an outbreak is a little easier as there are precautions that can be taken. It is known that these two viruses can be spread from one part of the body to the other. Take extreme caution by washing your hands with warm water and soap after touching the infected area and avoid facial and sexual contact with both of these viruses.

Learning these stages along with the signs and symptoms of herpes is extremely important in controlling this disease. There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but topical and antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners. Learn the two most important steps you can take towards fighting herpes.

By Deanne McGrew

Additional Reading:

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

Positive Single – Support site for herpes members.

One in four women suffer from genital herpes compared to one in five men. This is mainly due to the way the virus is transmitted between males and females.

Herpes is transmitted from the sores which are caused by the virus, but additionally it is also transmitted from skin outbreaks which show no symptoms of the virus and do not appear to be broken or to have a herpes sore. Anybody who has genital herpes can infect their sexual partner during sexual activity. This means that even if you have no signs of a herpes outbreak, it is possible to infect your partner with the herpes virus. Very often, people who are not even aware that they have contracted the herpes virus, transmit it to others.

Occasionally, the type 1 herpes virus also causes genital herpes however, it is more common that it is the cause of mouth or lip blisters which are commonly associated with a viral illness such as flu or fever.

If a person attracts type 1 herpes in the genital area, it is possible that the herpes has been caused by either genital to genital or genital to oral contact by an already infected person.

Because of the makeup of a woman’s genitalia, it is more likely that she will contract herpes from a male as she is more likely to have broken skin in the genital area than a male.

Herpes can be transmitted during sex, which means genital sex and oral sex. It is also possible to transmit the herpes virus via your fingers.

>By Suzy Bremner . Share To find out more about the symptoms of herpes, visit http://www.thesymptomsofherpes.com

http://www.thesymptomsofherpes.com is a comprehensive guide to herpes and its symptoms, featuring photos, product reviews and more

Additional Reading:

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

Positive Single – Support site for herpes members.