Herpes simplex Health Dictionary

Alternatives. Balm tea. Melissa officinalis is active against the herpes simplex virus and clinical trials yield excellent results. (European Journal of Herbal Medicine, Vol 1, No 1)

Russian traditional. Handful of pulped Wild Garlic leaves (Ramsons) macerated in Vodka to saturation point; 7 days. 1-2 teaspoons in water thrice daily.

Oil of Cloves (3-5 drops). Anti-viral activity against herpes simplex.

Other anti-virals. Garlic, Echinacea, Aloe Vera, Eucalyptus, Yarrow, Elderflowers, Burdock, Wild Indigo. St John’s Wort.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts, Yarrow, Balm, Gotu Kola. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup thrice daily, before meals.

Powders. Combine: Echinacea 2; Goldenseal quarter, Myrrh quarter. 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. (1) Combine: Echinacea 2; Chamomile 1; Liquorice half. Or (2) Combine: Peruvian bark half; Meadowsweet 1; Chamomile half. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons in water thrice daily.

Thuja. 70 per cent ethanolic extract of Thuja occ., inhibits herpes simplex (HSV) in vitro. (Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Munich; C. Gerha?user, et al)

Topical. Houseleek juice. Wipe with sliced Garlic corm. Oils of Cade, Cajeput, Sesame, Aloe Vera, dilute oil Eucalyptus.

Diet. Wholefoods, high fibre, low fat. Plenty fresh raw fruit and vegetables, yoghurt.

Supplementation. Same as for Shingles.

Self-Care. Towels, face cloths and other personal linen should not be shared. 

Most people are infected with HSV1 at some point in their lives, usually during childhood. The initial infection may be symptomless, or may cause a flu-like illness with mouth ulcers. Thereafter, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells in the facial area. In many people, the virus is periodically reactivated, causing cold sores. Rarely, the virus infects the fingers, causing a painful eruption called a herpetic whitlow. HSV1 may produce eczema herpeticum (an extensive rash of skin blisters) in a person with a preexisting skin disorder, such as eczema. Eczema herpeticum may require hospital admission. If the virus gets into an eye, it may cause conjunctivitis or a corneal ulcer. Rarely, HSV1 spreads to the brain, leading to encephalitis. The virus may cause a potentially fatal generalized infection in a person with an immunodeficiency disorder or in someone taking immunosuppressant drugs. HSV2 is the usual cause of sexually transmitted genital herpes (see herpes, genital).

Treatment of herpes simplex depends on its type, site, and severity.

Antiviral drugs, such as aciclovir, may be helpful, particularly if used early in an infection.

Symptoms Symptoms vary with the age of infection. In young infants, herpes simplex may cause a generalised infection which is sometimes fatal. In young children the infection is usually in the mouth, and this may be associated with enlargement of the glands in the neck, general irritability and fever. The condition usually settles in 7–10 days. In adults the vesicles may occur anywhere in the skin or mucous membranes: the more common sites are the lips, mouth and face, where they are known as cold sores. The vesicles may also appear on the genitalia (herpes genitalis) or in the conjunctiva or cornea of the EYE, and the brain may be infected, causing ENCEPHALITIS or MENINGITIS. The ?rst sign is the appearance of small painful swellings; these quickly develop into vesicles which contain clear ?uid and are surrounded by a reddened area of skin. Some people are particularly liable to recurrent attacks, and these often tend to be associated with some debilitating condition or infection, such as pneumonia.

Except in the case of herpes of the cornea, the eruption clears completely unless it becomes contaminated with some other organism. In the case of the cornea, there may be residual scarring, which may impair vision.

Treatment Aciclovir is e?ective both topically as cream or eye drops or orally. In severe systemic infections it can be given intravenously.