herpes symptoms

sign and symptom of herpes, early herpes symptom, genital herpes symptom, oral herpes symptom...

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

herpes symptoms : Do You Get It If Your Partner Has Cold Sores?

Genital herpes affects many of us. All of us want to protect ourselves. The problem is the anxiety about getting genital herpes if the partner shows no signs, but is a carrier? What if he/she had contacted cold sores in the childhood? Will you get genital herpes? Let us find out.

Genital herpes- basics

Here are few basics about genital herpes. It can be caused by virus type 1 that causes cold sores. Most of the carriers are in a phase when they show no outward sign but shed the virus (asymptomatic phase). After contacting herpes, you will become infected but may show no symptoms for years. Unfortunately you may suspect a different partner when you get the eruption. The earlier one that gave you herpes is only in the memory. Many of us believe that genital herpes is only caused by virus type2. This is not true. Let me put it like this. If you have genital herpes, it is difficult for your partner to get cold sores. But if you have cold sores, your partner can easily get genital herpes.

Genital herpes- about the habit of the virus

The herpes virus behaves in a typical manner. as soon as you contact herpes, the virus begins multiplying. You may get a severe eruption of herpes or a very mild. After treatment the virus goes to sleep. Because of certain reasons, the virus goes back to the skin. The trigger may be- stress, illness, lowered immunity etc. After going back to the skin, the virus erupts again and shows herpes on the skin. It gets treated again and goes back to sleep to return after some time.

Even if your partner shows no signs of herpes, if he/she is an active carrier of cold sores or virus type2, you may get infected. Only screening will tell you about the status of your partner. Please protect yourself from genital herpes. To know more about herpes- click here- Herpes Simplex This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

By CD Mohatta

herpes symptoms : Antiviral Drugs For Herpes Treatment part2

Mechanism of action



Antiviral agents reduce viral replication by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, needed to reproduce itself. This helps to keep the virus inactive.

Approved indications and uses



Acyclovir is indicated for:



treatment of initial episodes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes


treatment of acute herpes zoster (shingles)


treatment of chickenpox (varicella)


Valacyclovir is indicated for:



treatment or suppression of genital herpes and for the suppression of recurrent genital herpes


reduction of transmission of genital herpes


treatment of herpes zoster


treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis)


Famciclovir is indicated for:



treatment or suppression of recurrent genital herpes


treatment of acute herpes zoster


Efficacy



Clinical studies have not found any significant differences in effectiveness among the three medications. All are quite safe, very rarely producing any side effects at all. For the treatment of first genital herpes infections, oral acyclovir or valacyclovir is preferable to famciclovir. The efficacy of famciclovir for initial episode genital herpes infection has not been established.

Intravenous acyclovir is used to treat serious flare-ups or outbreaks that effect internal organs.

Adverse reactions and side effects


All these agents are well tolerated and have excellent safety records. Possible side effects from oral agents include nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, tremor, and very rarely, seizures. They can effect the kidney, however, and people with kidney problems should use them with caution and at lower doses. Intravenous administration increases the risk for kidney problems and can cause blood clots at the injection site. In rare cases, it can cause central nervous system complications.

Pharmacokinetics


Acyclovir has poor bioavailability of about 20% and a short half-life, which necessitates frequent dosing. Acyclovir speeds healing of lesions and suppress viral shedding if taken within 24 hours of the first indication of a recurrent episode. Early treatment may even prevent the development of lesions in some patients.

Valacyclovir provides a unique mechanism of enhancing the oral bioavailability of the parent compound, acyclovir. Valacyclovir is a prodrug converted to acyclovir in the intestine and liver. It has better bioavailability (about 55%) and has a longer duration of action than acyclovir. Thus, valacyclovir requires less frequent dosing than acyclovir. Valacyclovir is most effective if taken within 24 hours of the first signs of an outbreak.

Famciclovir is a prodrug for the active metabolite penciclovir. Famciclovir is converted into its active compound within the infected cell by contact with an enzyme from the virus. It has high bioavailability of 77%. It remains active in the body longer than acyclovir (half the dose is still active after 10 to 20 hours) and, like valacyclovir, requires less frequent dosing (usually two or three times a day). It is most effective if taken within six hours of onset of symptoms.

Both Famciclovir and valacyclovir have greater oral bioavailability that acyclovir. Famciclovir and valacyclovir, which are better absorbed by the body, can be taken less often than acyclovir. The simpler dosing schedule of famciclovir and valacyclovir, allows patients more convenient dosing regimens with less interruption of their activities of daily living.

by Yury Bayarski

herpes symptoms : Antiviral Drugs For Herpes Treatment part1

The major drugs developed to work against herpes simplex virus (HSV) are antiviral agents called nucleosides and nucleotide analogues, which block viral reproduction. They include acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), famciclovir (Famvir).

The antiviral medications available in pill form have been specifically developed for the treatment of genital herpes. Antiviral medications may significantly lessen the severity of a primary outbreak and reduce the time it takes genital herpes outbreaks to heal. The medication also decreases the number of days of painful symptoms and for some people, the number of days you can spread the virus. Antiviral medication is most effective if it is taken when you first notice the prodromal symptoms (tingling and pain) of a recurrent genital herpes outbreak and if they are taken for the next 5 to 7 days or until symptoms go away. Some people with frequent recurrent outbreaks (more than 6 recurrences a year) take antiviral medication every day (suppressive therapy) to help reduce the frequency and duration of recurrent outbreaks.

Brief History


Acyclovir (brand name Zovirax) is the oldest of the antiviral medications. It has been available since 1982 in a topical form (as an ointment) and sold since 1985 in pill form. Now acyclovir is available in a generic form.

Valtrex (valacyclovir) was the second antiviral medication to come to market in the United States, and it was approved by the FDA in December 15, 1995. Valtrex is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Valtrex is a prodrug of acyclovir, meaning that the body converts it to acyclovir after it has been absorbed. This medication delivers acyclovir more efficiently so that the body absorbs much of the drug, which has the advantage of taking the medication fewer times during the day.

Famvir (famciclovir) is a prodrug manufactured by Novartis. When taken, the body converts it to the long-acting antiviral drug penciclovir. Like valacyclovir, it is well absorbed, persists for a longer time in the body, and can be taken less frequently than acyclovir.

By Yury Bayarski

Thursday, August 24, 2006

herpes symptoms : More Common Than You Think

One of eight North Americans (30 million) has genital herpes, even though only one in five knows that he or she has it. Herpes is classified into type I that affects primarily the mouth ("canker sores"), and type II that affects primarily the genitals, although both types can go both places. According to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology almost one percent of North Americans acquire new cases of recurrent genital herpes each year. That's 1,640,000 new cases of recurrent genital herpes, in 730,000 men and 910,000 women.

To get herpes, you need the virus and broken skin. Since rubbing breaks skin, sexual contact with infected partners is a frequent cause of herpes. Typically, a person develops grouped painful or itchy blisters that look like poison ivy and disappear after one to six weeks. For some, genital herpes never recur, but almost all people who have a painful first episode will have recurrent blisters in exactly the same place.

A person who has herpes can be contagious, even when there are no visible blisters. The only way to diagnose herpes is to have a culture done on a wet blister. There are no dependable blood tests to tell if you have herpes because more than 92 percent of all Americans have had herpes and therefore have positive blood tests.

Herpes is the most common cause of swelling and pain around the rectum or vagina; anyone with these symptoms should get a culture for herpes, even if they are not sexually active.

Almost all North Americans have had herpes, but only seven percent get blisters recurrently. If you have had only one bout of herpes, you do not need treatment. If you have fewer than four recurrent genital herpes attacks per year, your doctor will probably prescribe 21 500mg tablets of Famvir or Valicyclovir that you keep on hand all the time and take them at the first tingling or itching that precede an outbreak. If you have more than 4 attacks a year, your doctor will probably prescribe valicyclovir or Famivir. By the third year on that regimen, as many as 82 percent have no outbreaks at all. Taking acyclovir every day can help to prevent a person from being contagious. Valicyclovir and Famvir are both approved by the FDA for long-term use.

People with recurrent herpes can be contagious any time, but they are less likely to be contagious when they do not have blisters. Virtually everyone in North America has had herpes, but only seven percent get it recurrently. If a person with recurrent herpes is on Valtrex every day, he or she will not shed as much and not be as contagious. Personally, I would not ruin a relationship because of herpes because you are not likely to find anyone who has not had herpes.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin

herpes symptoms : Herpes and the Lysine Myth

You have probably heard it or read it from hundreds of sources over the years: "Take lysine to prevent outbreaks." Millions of people living with the upper and lower manifestations of this virus have added lysine supplements to their herpes-fighting arsenal. The once touted benefit of lysine is closer to myth than fact. Inconclusive studies show that the actual positive effects of lysine are slight at best.

Origins of the Lysine Myth

Like the origin of many myths, the Lysine Myth has some foundation in truth. To understand its genesis, we must understand the interaction between the amino acids lysine and arganine and their relation to the herpes virus.

It has been well established that the herpes virus is highly dependant on the amino acid arganine for replication. Lysine has shown to have an inhibitive counter-effect on arganine. This led to the idea that a high lysine concentration in our bodies would counteract the arganine on which herpes depends and thereby suppress its ability to multiply.

Conflicting Studies

Initial studies on the lysine-arganine hypothesis tended to support this idea. Several studies in the early 1980’s reported positive results. Subsequent studies have not been conclusive. Some researchers believe these conflicting studies occurred because the amounts of lysine and arganine supplied naturally from the diets of the study participants were not accounted for in the study controls. The typical American diet tends to include more lysine rich foods from meat and dairy products than arganine rich foods from beans, whole grains, and nuts. This means that the actual total amount of lysine and arganine in each individual participant in the studies was not known. Naturally, this created serious irregularities in the studies.

By John Stuttmier

herpes symptoms : Herpes and the Lysine Myth

You have probably heard it or read it from hundreds of sources over the years: "Take lysine to prevent outbreaks." Millions of people living with the upper and lower manifestations of this virus have added lysine supplements to their herpes-fighting arsenal. The once touted benefit of lysine is closer to myth than fact. Inconclusive studies show that the actual positive effects of lysine are slight at best.

Origins of the Lysine Myth

Like the origin of many myths, the Lysine Myth has some foundation in truth. To understand its genesis, we must understand the interaction between the amino acids lysine and arganine and their relation to the herpes virus.

It has been well established that the herpes virus is highly dependant on the amino acid arganine for replication. Lysine has shown to have an inhibitive counter-effect on arganine. This led to the idea that a high lysine concentration in our bodies would counteract the arganine on which herpes depends and thereby suppress its ability to multiply.

Conflicting Studies

Initial studies on the lysine-arganine hypothesis tended to support this idea. Several studies in the early 1980’s reported positive results. Subsequent studies have not been conclusive. Some researchers believe these conflicting studies occurred because the amounts of lysine and arganine supplied naturally from the diets of the study participants were not accounted for in the study controls. The typical American diet tends to include more lysine rich foods from meat and dairy products than arganine rich foods from beans, whole grains, and nuts. This means that the actual total amount of lysine and arganine in each individual participant in the studies was not known. Naturally, this created serious irregularities in the studies.

By John Stuttmier

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

herpes symptoms : Herpes vaccine prevents symptoms ( 2 )

In the first trial, more naive male and female partners in the placebo group developed symptoms of genital herpes, but the overall efficacy in preventing symptomatic genital herpes was only 25%-38%.

There was a striking difference in the vaccine's efficacy between the genders. In male naive partners, the vaccine had no efficacy, compared with placebo. In female naive partners, the vaccine had a 73% efficacy rate in preventing genital herpes symptoms, a statistically significant finding relative to placebo.

Women's local cervical and vaginal immunity may account for the differences in efficacy between genders, Dr. Yeung-Yue speculated. The mucosal surface is bathed in antibodies that may be protective.

But serostatus of the naive partner is clearly important as well.

In the second study, in which the HSV-1 and HSV-2 serotypes were mixed, the difference between the sexes was less pronounced overall.

There was no observed protection in men or women who were HSV-1 seropositive and HSV-2 seronegative at baseline, lending support to the theory that prior infection with HSV-1 provides protection against the acquisition of genital HSV-2 disease. In this group, even the participants in the placebo group acquired the disease much less frequently than vaccinated women who were double seronegative.

by Kathryn DeMott

herpes symptoms : Herpes vaccine prevents symptoms

NEW ORLEANS -- An investigational vaccine appears to provide significant protection against symptomatic genital herpes in select women, Dr. Kimberly Yeung-Yue said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The goal of two randomized, controlled, phase III trials was to assess the vaccine's efficacy in preventing genital herpes symptoms in the naive members of discordant couples, said Dr. Yeung-Yue, a clinical research fellow in dermatology at the University of Texas in Galveston. The vaccine included a herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein D subunit and was formulated with an experimental adjuvant containing aluminum hydroxide plus monophosphoryl lipid A.

In the first study of 847 couples, the naive partner in each couple was both herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2 seronegative. In the second study of 2,491 couples, only 22% of couples involved a naive partner who was both HSV-1 and HSV-2 seronegative, she said.

Vaccinations of the naive partner occurred at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months; the couples were followed for 19 months.

by Kathryn DeMott

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

herpes symptoms : What to Look For

There are many herpes symptoms which can be easily identified, if you know what you are looking for. An effective treatment is readily available!

Herpes symptoms will usually start to develop 2 – 20 days after contact with the virus. The first outbreak is usually the most severe as your body has not been exposed to the virus before and the immune system has a limited response. Visible sores are sometimes caused by the first attack. However the symptoms of herpes may be so mild that they go unnoticed. This is a problem which needs to be addressed.

Once herpes has entered the system, it gets into the skin cells and starts to reproduce itself and multiply rapidly, turning the effected area red and causing sensitivity and pain. Blisters or bumps are a common herpes symptom. These blisters will open up, and heal with the skin’s tissue regeneration.

Other herpes symptoms can vary from headache, muscle ache, fever to lower back pain, and, commonly, inflamed lymph glands.

Over 50% of people, who have herpes, show no symptoms, are unaware that they are carriers of the disease and are capable of transferring the virus. Herpes is extremely contagious. We need to be able to spot herpes symptoms.

There are many things which are often mistaken for herpes symptoms. Most commonly insect bites, ingrown hair follicles or jock itch. So perhaps the typical cycle of herpes should be explained further, to avoid complication, and mistaken herpes symptoms.

It is crucial to identify the associated herpes symptoms, early!

Herpes will begin to show the first symptoms of inflammation, swelling or redness. Following this, blisters, a rash, or tiny red bumps may form. These blisters may break open and begin leaking a milky or clear fluid. Once the blisters have broken, the sores may begin to dry up and scab over.

So what can be done?

I have found an effective treatment for the symptoms of herpes (H-Away - from Healing Natural Oils)

This is the only working treatment I have been able to find online. I have tried them all; nothing was able to treat my herpes symptoms. I really like the way they handle their customers, their service was brilliant, and the website- very informative! Good job guys!

By Bruce Thompson

herpes symptoms : Herpes Simplex

Herpes Simplex- What is it?

Herpes Simplex is an infection caused by the virus called Herpes Simplex Virus. The virus is of two types. HSV1 and HSV2. Herpes Simplex causes sores, and rashes on face and genitals. The virus type 1 causes sores on the mouth, which are called cold sores. The second virus type causes genital herpes.

Herpes Simplex- is it treatable?

Once you get herpes virus, it never leaves your body. The only thing you can do is to get it treated whenever it shows up as sores with blisters. After treatment the virus goes back into dormancy, but does not get eliminated from body. Whenever it gets triggered again, it will show up as a sore. To find more about treatment click here- Herpes Simplex Treatment

Herpes Simplex- what are the symptoms?

Herpes Simplex appears as sores with blisters. This disease recurs during the lifetime. Once you catch it, it never leaves your body, so you can have recurrences. Cold sores normally form around the mouth, while genital herpes shows up on the genitals.

Herpes Simplex- cause

Herpes Simplex virus 1 is generally caught in the childhood while the genital infection from HSV2 is caused by sexual contact in the adulthood. Your partner may show no signs of having Herpes Simplex and may be unaware that they are the carriers. They will pass it on to you unknowingly.

Herpes is a silent disease. It shows up after some days of your catching it and the Herpes symptoms may be so slight that you may ignore them. The second time it will show up, it may be much more flared up. Between the recurrences you will not show any symptoms of herpes but you will pass it on to your partners. Similarly you may get it from your partners.

By CD Mohatta

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

herpes symptoms : Genital Herpes- Will You Get Infected?

Genital Herpes- what is it?


Genital Herpes is the herpes infection of genitals. It affects both men and women. It is caused by the HSV type2. The only way to spread this disease is sexual contact. Anybody who has genital herpes may pass it on to the partner without any knowledge. Let us see how?

Genital Herpes- silent transmission


Let us take an example. Suppose your partner contacted genital herpes from someone during a sexual encounter. The virus entered your partner's body. The virus will show anytime within 20 days of getting contacted. The symptoms may be sores and blisters, fever, joint ache etc. Here comes the problem. Many times these symptoms are so insignificant that no body realizes about them. The symptoms will resolve after some days. Now your partner is a silent carrier of Genital herpes. He/she may be unaware that they are carriers. During this time, if you have sexual contact with them, you will catch the virus. Click here to learn more about virus type2- Genital Herpes Virus

Whenever herepes symptoms get noticed, the doctors treat them with anti viral medicines. The problem of rashes and blisters gets resolved. But the virus does not get out of the body. It remains inside. It can cause active herpes sores again in future. Some people may not get any recurrence, while some may get many.

Genital Herpes- prevention

Condoms are one way to prevent herpes. If any body part that is not covered by condom and is carrying active virus comes in contact with you, you will sill get it. To know if anybody is a silent carrier of herpes, blood test can be carried out by the doctor for herpes antibodies.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

By CD Mohatta

herpes symptoms : Herpes Cure

Herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. There are two strains of this virus- HSV-1 and HSV-2 and they cause two variants of the disease, oral and genital herpes.

While there is no cure for herpes, the illness itself can be shortened by anti-viral drugs like acyclovir. The outbreak of this disease is marked by blisters that appear on the body or on and in the mouth in case of oral herpes, and genital areas in case of genital herpes. The blisters can be very painful and the constant itching can be prevented by these drugs.

Oral herpes is highly prevalent in small children. To help relieve the discomfort of cold sores, people should give their children cold liquids. Avoid juices with high acidic content such as orange juice or lemonade because the acidic content will cause a greater burning sensation rather than help to relieve irritability.

Also, when someone is in great pain from herpes, applying ice cubes on the sores can provide relief. It is difficult to stop children from rubbing or scratching the sores when they feel itchy. One way to prevent this is to keep them busy. This is possible by indulging them with games and puzzles to keep their hands and mind busy and so away from the sores.

There are two types of treatment available for genital herpes, episodic treatment and suppressive treatment. Episodic treatment is for the infected person to take when there is an outbreak of an episode of the disease. The episodic treatment consists of the use of anti-viral drugs such as FAMVIR to relieve the pain and discomfort.

The HSV-2 virus, after an attack, usually lies dormant in the nearby nerve cells for a certain period and then gets reactivated, after which another attack occurs. Suppressive therapy is a continuous daily therapy that an infected person undergoes to prevent further attacks of the disease. The suppressive treatment helps minimize the frequency and severity of the attack.

By Kent Pinkerton