Get Rid of Cold Sores Fact or Fantasy

The Herpes family of viruses has plagued mankind throughout the ages. Eight different viruses, and all sorts of mutated forms of them, make up the herpes virus family. The two most common ones that come to mind are herpes simplex 1 (cold sores) and herpes simplex 2 (genital herpes). Modern medicine claims that there is no cure for herpes. But, does a natural cure for herpes exist?





Many holistic medical practices claim that herpes can be cured naturally through the use of certain herbs and vitamins. No one is, however, able to completely prove these claims





One reason for this is that the FDA does not control herbal or vitamin supplements. The government does not recognize any of these substances as having the ability to prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition, whatsoever. The other reason is that natural remedies have no financial advantage for anyone. They can not be patented or limited in any way, so nobody wants to invest a lot of money in the necessary research to determine if these agents are truly effective.





The internet is, however, loaded with sites claiming to have the cure for herpes. Many claim to have a natural cure for herpes and can show a long list of customer testimonials on the effectiveness of their product. All of these sites are set up to promote their own unique, proprietary blend of herbs and vitamins. Some are in tablet form. Others are in the form of a salve to be applied directly to the affected skin. All claim to prevent future outbreaks if used regularly.





There's the catch. "If used regularly". That doesn't sound like a cure. Herpes can be treated in a number of different ways. Doctors will prescribe antivirals that are designed to keep the virus in a weakened state and help eliminate outbreaks. These medications must be taken regularly to be effective. Other medications are available that will treat the symptoms of herpes outbreaks at the site. These medications are tested and approved by the FDA for the treatment of herpes. None claim to cure the disease.





Another problem with claims of having a natural cure for herpes is the method used to test whether a person is infected. Viruses are so small that they can only be seen using a very expensive piece of equipment known as an electron microscope. These devices are very rare due to their price. Doctors, therefore, have adopted the practice of testing a person's blood for viral infections by looking for the antibodies associated with the virus, rather than the virus itself. The problem here is that antibodies are part of the body's natural immune system.





If a body has ever had a virus, the antibodies will be present in some small quantity in the blood forever. This makes it impossible to truly tell if a person still has the virus or has been cured.





A natural cure for herpes may very well exist. Nobody can truly say conclusively in today's modern medical world. Until someone can prove a cure, natural or otherwise, it is best to continue regular treatment for herpes and prevent future outbreaks. Medicines and natural compounds can be used for this. Just never assume that you are cured and take precautions against the possible spread of herpes. This is the safest course.

Lance Thorington's articles have been published on numerous places online including web sites, ezines, blogs and email lists. Is there a natural cure for herpes? There is! Read more at http://www.remediesforherpes.com

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get rid of cold sores: cold sore treatment

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Herpes Simplex Symptoms

Herpes is a very common medical problem these days. You can get this if you???re a sexually active individual because the virus can easily be transmitted through the skin, mucous, and saliva. The herpes simplex symptoms vary from one individual to another. The severity generally depends on the location of the herpes and the extent of the infection.




Herpes simplex is the name of the virus which causes herpes and it is of two categories, namely ??" HSV-1 and HSV-2. Type 1 virus typically causes herpes on the facial areas while the type 2 virus causes genital herpes. The two virus categories are very contagious and around 50% of the young adult population has been infected. Once the virus is already in your body, it could remain dormant and is just waiting to be triggered once more.




You can be infected with herpes simplex once you have contact with an infected individual; but it is not always through sexual means. Skin to skin contacts are already enough to transmit the virus. An infected individual can also worsen his or her condition by spreading the virus in the different areas of their body. That is why when an infected individual touches the affected area, he or she should wash the hands thoroughly with soap and water.




When the outbreaks have occurred, the infected person should not engage in any sexual contact to prevent the spreading of the herpes simplex. If you don???t want to infect your sexual partner, you must abstain for about 2-3 weeks until the skin has completely healed.




The early signs of herpes simplex virus are similar to that of flu symptoms. You will get headaches, you become irritable or depressed, the lymph nodes become inflamed, and you will have fever. After feeling ill, the sores will now appear on the mouth or lip area (for HSV-1) and on the genital areas (for HSV-2).




Some women are not even aware that they have herpes because there are times when the blisters are located in the urethra or deep in the vagina. The blisters on the genital area appear like mild rash and it is quite painful but there is no need to worry as the healing cycle begins in about two weeks. If you want to heal much faster, you can use the available medications for herpes. There are medicines as well as natural remedies to control the herpes outbreak so that the healing cycle starts in about three days or so.




You???re very wrong if you think you can cure herpes. The infection can???t be cured even by using various antiviral medicines and other natural treatments. It can only lessen the occurrence of outbreaks or shorten the length of the outbreaks.




By keeping the affected area dry and clean at all times, herpes will soon disappear. Also, wear comfortable loose clothes and avoid the tight ones. Boost your immune system by taking vitamin C and other supplements. With a strong immune system, you can shorten herpes simplex symptoms.




Check your current lifestyle. You should try to avoid stressful situations and learn about proper time management. Getting enough sleep at night can also help. A healthy lifestyle, good hygiene practices, together with other natural treatments can prevent or shorten herpes simplex symptoms.

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting and other health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about Herpes Simplex Symptoms...

get rid of cold sores: cold sore treatment

get rid of cold sores: cold sore treatment

Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com