Most Herpes medicine requires a prescription. You should always
see a doctor for diagnosis, advice and treatment if you
suspect that you have Herpes.

Herpes Simplex

There are two types of Herpes Simplex which are very similar:

• Herpes Simplex 1: Causes Oral Herpes -
  cold sores
• Herpes Simplex 2: Causes Genital Herpes

Both types are very easy to catch and Herpes Simplex 1 may also
cause Genital Herpes just as Herpes Simplex 2 may also cause
Oral Herpes. None of them can be cured but can be treated with
good results.

The treatment for Oral Herpes is an antiviral agent:

• Penciclovir or
• Acyclovir

Both come in a cream. This is available without a doctor's
prescription over the
counter in pharmacies. It works best if applied just before the
outbreak is visible. It will help reduce frequency, duration and
severity of outbreaks as well as reduce the risk of spreading
the virus.

Genital Herpes

The treatment for Genital Herpes is also an antiviral agent:

• Acyclovir
• Famciclovir or
• Valacyclovir

These come in a tablet. This is not available without a doctor's
prescription. It will help reduce frequency, duration and severity of outbreaks as
well as reduce the risk of spreading the virus. For some people it
may even eliminate future outbreaks.

Viruses thrives on a low immune defense system. You can keep your
immune defense system boosted with a healthy diet, good exercise,
enough sleep and avoidance of stressfull situations. This way you can
minimize the amount of outbreaks of Herpes Simplex.

Herpes Zoster - Chickenpox & Shingles

Herpes Zoster causes chickenpox in children and shingles
in the seniors.

Most people only experience one outbreak of chickenpox
in childhood and it is usually not treated as it will go away on its
own. The symptoms are a rash that turn into blisters which turn into
a dry scab. This can be seen all over the body and may be very
itchy and painful. You can use painkillers, fever reducing medicines
and local anesthetic creams to ease these symptoms.

Some of these medications need to be prescribed and some can be bought over
the counter at pharmacies. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist to see
which is right for you or your child.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a very common disease, about 90% of all people
have it in childhood, just like measles, mumps and other childhood
diseases. Most countires recommend a chickenpox vaccine for children.
Although it will not eliminate the risk of chickenpox it will reduce it
considerably. Herpes Zoster is only contagious in the
incubation period of chickenpox and after chickenpox it is
latent in the body.

Shingles

The latent Herpes Zoster may reactivate for 1 in 5
adults in later life and cause shingles usually seen in the
seniors. The symptoms are similar to those of chickenpox.
Shingles is usually treated as the patient may have a low
immune defense system and may have difficulty fighting the virus
on their own. There is also a risk of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia which means persistent pain of the affected area but treatment
will reduce the risk of this considerably. The treatment is an
antiviral agent, Valacyclovir, Famciclovir or Acyclovir,
available with a prescription from your doctor.

There are plenty of alternative treatments available for
Herpes viruses. If you are considering trying some of these you
should discuss it with your doctor and research the area.

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