The key to living with herpes is to be able to control or contain the outbreaks. OBs do happen and truthfully, they happen more often for some people than others. But there are a few home remedies that seem to have worked very well for some people. Because these are home remedies, there is no real scientific evidence, just some testimonials from people who have benefited from it.

We try to sift out a few that sound promising and share them with you.

The first of these home remedies would be Tea Tree Oil. Yes, you must have heard of this before. It is a natural anti-septic and anti-fungal essential oil. In fact, some natives first used the leaves as a tea replacement.  Tea tree oil contains terpenoids, which have been found to have antiseptic and antifungal capabilities.

When do you use Tea Tree Oil?

When you have an outbreak, Tea Tree Oil can help to relieve some of the symptoms. It helps to relieve itch and in some cases, reduces pain.

Do I take my medication?

Yes, while Tea Tree Oil might help to relieve some of the symptoms of herpes, you do need to take your medication. Some people have shared that using Tea Tree Oil helps them to reduce the discomfort during outbreaks and even shorten the outbreak periods. But that could be just the herpes medicine working.

Whatever it is, Tea Tree Oil is generally a well known essential oil and will not harm you.

Genital herpes comes from the herpes simplex virus otherwise called HSV. There are two types of this virus. They are simply referred to as type 1 and type 2. The type 1 is associated with the mouth. It consists of cold sores or fever blisters. It is highly contagious and can spread from mouth to mouth or mouth to genitals through kissing and sexual activity. Type 2 is found in the genital area and is transmitted from an affected partner to another through sexual intercourse.

You can identify genital herpes by the sore, blister or painful ulcer located in the genital area. The symptoms may include a burning or itching pain on contact. It does not have to be present to be passed onto another person. Once the virus exists in a person’s body, it never goes away.

There are many treatments available for genital herpes. There is no way to cure genital herpes, however. The treatments can range from ingesting antiviral medicines to using topical ointments to soothe the pain from the sores. Sometimes the treatments can make the outbreak of the virus not last as long as it would without the treatment. Antiviral medications can do the same. Sometimes medication can prolong the time between outbreaks of the herpes simplex virus.

If you think you may have contracted the disease it is important to seek medical attention to identify it and treat it accordingly. You will need to contact sexual partners to let them know about your discovery. If you plan on remaining sexually active, it is important to use prophylactics to prevent the herpes from spreading from partner to partner. Although it is difficult to tell a sexual partner what you have contracted, it is necessary so that they can be checked out as well. It is a difficult to know that you have it and know that there is no way to cure genital herpes.

Genital herpes can affect pregnant women as well. One of the medical questions that doctor’s ask is if genital herpes is possibly in the system. It can be dangerous for a newborn baby if sores are existent on the vagina during a vaginal birth. If this is the case, usually a cesarean section would be performed to prevent the baby from being affected. It can cause other complications if it is contracted while the woman is pregnant.

Although there is no way to cure genital herpes, one can live with it and lead a fairly normal sexual life as long as precautions are taken.

Additional Reading:

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

Cold Sore Freedom in 3 days by Grace Melgarejo

Positive Single – Support site for herpes members.

Does genital herpes spread through using same toilet seat? I have seen this question being asked repeatedly at various places on the Internet. Everybody is worried about getting infected with genital herpes and this fear makes people think of different ways in which they believe that they may get infected by herpes. The fear of sharing toilet seat and getting herpes originates similarly. The truth is that it is extremely difficult, rather nearly impossible to get genital herpes by sharing the same toilet seat. The virus does not survive outside body and dies quickly. The virus therefore cannot be spread by such means as sharing the same towel or the same toilet seat.

How the virus spreads-

Genital herpes is transmitted by sexual contact. If you come in sexual contact with an infected person you may get herpes. If the affected person has active lesions the chances of getting herpes increase. But many people shed the virus even if they show no outward sign of lesions. They also spread herpes. Herpes virus enters our body through mucous membrane or a cut in the skin or. The inside of mouth, inner genitals, anus, are all covered with mucous membrane.

Any activity that brings the live virus in other’s body in touch with your body may transmit herpes. In case of toilet seats and towels the virus may get transferred to them but does not remain alive. Therefore such virus is not dangerous. The virus remains alive in the body and therefore transmission from body to body causes herpes. If another object comes in-between the virus does not get transmitted, because it dies.

Additional Reading:

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

Cold Sore Freedom in 3 days by Grace Melgarejo