About Herpes

What is Herpes?

The word Herpes comes from the Greek word 'herpein', which means 'to creep'. The herpes viruses have a surprising ability to creep into the body and hide. So, they produce recurrent infections, and sometimes even remain dormant for years and then become active under suitable conditions. This property of the herpes virus was unknown to clinicians for very long and was proved only in 1950 by Burnet and Buddingh. So, it was only then that the real epidemiology of the Herpes Virus was understood. It is said that there are more than 100 varieties of the herpes virus. But, only 8 of them affect human-beings. These viruses have been named as Human Herpes Virus (HHV) and they have been numbered as 1 to 8. These viruses are known to affect both men and women. The herpes virus 1, 2 and 3 are the most commonly occurring ones. Let us study these viruses in detail now:

VIRUS	OTHER NAME	INFECTION
Human herpes virus 1 (HHV1)	Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1)	Generally causes cold sores around the mouth (oral herpes). It can also lead to infection in the genital area (genital herpes).
Human herpes virus 2 (HHV2)	Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2)	Generally causes genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection. However, it can also cause cold sores in the facial area (oral herpes).
Human herpes virus 3 (HHV3)	Varicella-zoster virus	It causes chickenpox. When the varicella zoster virus after causing chicken pox, lays dormant in the body and then gets active again later on, it causes shingles or Herpes zoster.
Human herpes virus 4 (HHV4)	Epstein-Barr virus	It is the major cause of infectious mononucleosis.
Human herpes virus 5 (HHV5)	Cytomegalovirus (CMV)	CMV is also a cause of mononucleosis.
Human herpes virus 6 (HHV6)		It causes Roseola.
Human herpes virus 7 (HHV7)		It is closely related to HHV6 and HHV7. it can also cause Roseola.
Human herpes virus 8 (HHV8)		It was recently discovered in tumours called Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS). These tumours are found in people with AIDS, and are otherwise very rare. HHV8 may also cause other cancers, including certain lymphomas (lymph node cancers), associated with AIDS.

What causes Herpes?

The aetiology and pathogenesis of this virus puzzled physicians for ages. Even now, it is very difficult to treat and control this disease, because the virus can remain dormant within the nerve bodies. A person infected with the virus, will go through different stages of infection. Each stage is explained in the following sections. Primary Stage: This stage usually starts 2 to 8 days after the person has been infected, but it can sometimes take much longer to begin. The infection is characterized by the appearance of small painful blisters. They are red and filled with fluid. If the blisters break, they form open sores. The surprising thing is that many people never even notice these blisters on their body, although they are infected. Latent Stage: In this stage, there are no blisters, sores or other symptoms. At this time, the virus is travelling from the skin into the nerves near the spine. Shedding Stage: Once the virus reaches its target zone, i.e. the nerves, it starts multiplying. It starts invading into the body fluids like saliva, semen or vaginal fluids. This is called shedding. There are no symptoms during this stage, but the virus can spread during this time. How is it transmitted? Let us understand how this infection can spread from one person to another. See the table given below: VIRUS TRANSMISSION Human herpes virus 1 (HHV1) or herpes simplex virus 1 Infection is contagious and is usually spread from an infected person via small breaks in the skin or mucous membrane. HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the genitals through direct skin-to-skin contact, often via oral sex. It also spreads by kissing. It spreads through sharing things like crockery and cutlery, razors and towels with a person who has an active lesion. It may be transmitted by a mother to her baby, during childbirth. Human herpes virus 2 (HHV2) or herpes simplex virus 2 Infection is contagious and is spread through skin-to-skin contact. But the main route of transmission is sexual contact. It may be transmitted during childbirth, when the baby is exposed to genital blisters.   Human herpes virus 3 (HHV3) is also called varicella-zoster virus This infection can spread either through droplet infection (i.e. sneezing, coughing, etc) or by personal contact. A herpes zoster patient can spread the disease by contact. This virus has the ability to cross placental barrier and affects the fetus.   Human herpes virus 4 (HHV4) is also known as the Epstein-Barr virus. It is a contagious infection and is transmitted through saliva. Coughing, sneezing, or sharing crockery and cutlery with an infected person.   Human herpes virus 5 (HHV5) is the official name of cytomegalovirus (CMV). It can be sexually transmitted; can cause problems in newborn babies. CMV can be transmitted through sexual contact, breast-feeding, blood transfusions and organ transplants.   Human herpes virus 6 (HHV6) Transmitted through saliva, though it is not transmitted through breast-milk.   Human herpes virus 7 (HHV7) Spread through saliva, and possibly, genital secretions.   Human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) It is likely that it is transmitted via sexual contact. It can also spread through activities where saliva might be shared such as deep-kissing.

What are the Symptoms? Symptoms of herpes are called outbreaks. When the virus attacks the body, it slowly starts multiplying. During this time there are no symptoms. This is called the incubation period. The first outbreak or set of symptoms appears 2 weeks or more, after the virus attacks. Generally, the herpes virus causes small red bumps to appear, which later develop into small blisters. These blisters are filled with fluid and are painful. If they break, they form sores. Sometimes, there is a crack, raw area or redness, without any pain, itching or tingling. In Oral Herpes (mostly caused by Herpes simplex virus 1), there may be fluid-filled blisters inside the mouth, on the tongue or lips. There is extreme redness of the infected area, and the patient may experience pain, burning and tingling. There may be difficulty in eating. There may also be fever. In Genital Herpes (mostly caused by Herpes simplex virus 2), one may also notice swelling, pain or itching around the genitals, possibly followed by painful red spots that can form small blisters. These blisters may burst to form open sores or ulcers, which then crust over and heal. However, there are many people with genital herpes, who have symptoms they don’t recognize. For others, the first symptoms of genital herpes may show up 2 to 21 days after coming into contact with the virus. The first episode of herpes is often the most severe. This is because the immune system has not had time to develop protective antibodies. This means the virus can multiply rapidly, causing significant symptoms. The blisters in the genital area may cause pain while urinating. If it spreads to the anal area, there may be pain while passing stools. It is also associated with fever, body-ache and headaches. In Chickenpox (caused by varicella-zoster virus), the first symptom to appear is fever with malaise, and probably a little rash around the body. Slowly, as the disease progresses, there may be small vesicular eruptions, which look like dew-drops. These spread throughout the body, even inaxilla but not on the palms and soles. After 6 to 7 days, these dewdrop-looking eruptions turn into scabs. So, the patient may feel very itchy during the dewdrop stage. Herpes Zoster or Shingles occurs when dormant varicella-zoster virus from an initial bout of chickenpox becomes reactivated. This virus may recur along nerve fibre pathways, causing multiple sores where nerve fibers end on skin cells. Because an entire group of nerve cells is often affected, shingles is generally much more severe than a recurrence of herpes simplex. The lesions generally appear in a band-like or belt-like pattern occurring on one side of the body and are often accompanied by itching, tingling, or even severe pain. Even after the eruptions have healed, the patient may complain of neuralgic pain, because the nerves are affected. Cytomegalovirus infection is one of the most difficult complications of AIDS. For a virus that barely causes a problem in most people with healthy immune systems, it can be amazingly nasty in people with damaged immune systems, as in people with AIDS. It may lead to diarrhea, severe vision problems including blindness, infections of the stomach and intestines, and even death. Roseola (caused by Human herpes virus 6 and Human herpes virus 7) is characterized by high fever and a skin rash in small children. This infection accounts for many cases of convulsions associated with fever in infancy (febrile seizures). Infectious Mononucleosis (caused by Epstein-Barr virus) is characterized by fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, body-ache, headache and swollen tonsils. Not everyone infected with the virus has symptoms.

Is there a Herpes cure?

"Is there a cure for herpes?” “Are viruses like HSV 1, HSV 2 and Hepres Zoster curable?”

The question about whether viruses such as Herpes can be cured is a matter of great controversy. Allopathic doctors tend to believe that there is no real cure. This is because viral antibodies tend to stay in the blood-stream for the patient’s entire lifetime. Hence, currently popular methods of viral detection always point toward past wars with viruses. Someone who was infected with chickenpox in the past will have chickenpox antibodies in their blood. However, would you or your doctor consider them not cured? When would you consider yourself cured of herpes?

Eastern Physicians and Homeopaths from various traditions generally hold the opinion that all manifestations of ailments and viruses are curable. When confronted with the blood data of a person who still shows herpes antibodies even though he/she hasn’t had an outbreak in years, some will blame the testing method as being inadequate. This holds some validity, because the test results for all practical purposes are the same, regardless of whether the person suffers from monthly outbreaks or has forgotten that he / she ever had herpes!

From a quantum physics view-point, all manifestations (viral or otherwise) are merely movements of consciousness. Everything consists of waves of energy; even the chair you are sitting on. It is when the energy interacts with your consciousness that it takes form; and your consciousness has as much to do with the form as the energetic pattern itself. For example, the American-Indians supposedly didn’t see Columbus’ ship, because ships were so beyond their conscious reality.

Energy is constantly changing. Hence, the energy of the virus is changing and your consciousness is shaping its form within that constant flux. This leads some to believe that your conscious belief in the virus is what supports it further. Time, space, the atom and the ego are the 4 illusions of the matrix (maya) and true awareness can see them as such. Truly, you and the virus are not separate entities but manifestations of the One. The subjective and the objective in the viral situation is the same. You may notice that it is mostly emotional pain that brought the viral manifestation into your current universe. This current reality however, is an option and one can completely change one’s relationship with the virus, to a point where it lies completely dormant.

There are many forms of healing out there. Allopathic medicine is primarily molecular, Chinese medicine is primarily energetic, and Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicine are primarily informational. Consciousness is manifested in and as ‘matter’, ‘energy’ and ‘information’. Hence, combining matter, energy and information in a healing form is essentially practicing consciousness medicine. This is what Sintergetica and Biogetica attempt to do. We approach change from the subtlest soul informational templates, past the etheric, mental and emotional, and into the manifested cell. The homeopathics, flower essences, herbs and nutraceuticals coax you into reshaping your conscious existence past limiting diagnoses, into a world where you are at complete ease.

So the point really is “Would you consider yourself cured of herpes if you stopped having outbreaks and passing it to partners?”

Here’s to a world where it is unacceptable to say “There is no cure”!

How is it diagnosed?

You should immediately contact your healthcare provider if you see any blisters, rash or cracks. You may be asked to undergo a routine blood-test and blood culture. Newer blood-tests, called type-specific tests, can tell whether you are infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2, although blood-tests cannot tell the difference between genital and other herpes infections. Your physician will be able to diagnose typical genital herpes, oral herpes or chickenpox by looking at the sores. Another laboratory test called ‘culture’ may be performed, in which the fluid of the eruption is studied to identify if it is HSV-1, HSV-2 or Varicella Zoster, or any other. However, one may still have genital herpes, even if the culture is negative (which means it does not show HSV).

What are the treatment options?

For best results as far as duration and healing are concerned, treatment should begin at the first sign of an outbreak. It is possible to revert the outbreak, if treatment is started before the lesions appear.

Conventional system

Although there is no cure or vaccine for herpes, your healthcare provider might prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat your symptoms and to help prevent future outbreaks. This can decreaszxxzzxxxe the risk of passing herpes to sexual partners. Allopathic Medicines which are used to treat herpes are:

• Acyclovir
• Famciclovir
• Valacyclovir

Unfortunately, viruses are known to be the most efficient genetic mutators. This means that over a period of time, these viruses become resistant to the allopathic antivirals. The DNA of the virus changes so that it can no longer be combated by the regular medicines. So slowly, the allopathic medicines fail to control the disease, e.g. in many cases, acyclovir, which is the oldest known medicine, has brought no difference to the state of the patient.

Moreover, Herpes virus has a tendency to recur over-and-over again. Every time it surfaces with a set of symptoms, allopathic treatment keeps offering the same (above) medicines. These are very strong medications, which slowly make the immune system weak. There is no allopathic medicine available that can combat the virus when it is in its dormant stage. And, there are always certain side-affects associated with allopathic medicines. E.g. Acyclovir interferes with the enzymes the virus needs for replication of DNA in cells. This prevents the virus from multiplying. But there are many side-effects of this medicine, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Besides these, there are also harmful-effects associated with over-dosage, like hallucinations, seizures, and kidney damage in extreme cases (because of decreased urine production).

All these factors have made people look for other options. With growing awareness, people have understood that these medicines have harmful effects on body in the long-run.

Complementary therapies

For ages, complementary therapies have been used to treat diseases like herpes. These therapies have a holistic approach and do not consider a disease as viral or bacterial. Rather, they concentrate on the disturbances in the energy levels of the body. For many years, Herbs have been used to treat lesions of herpes e.g. Licorice root contains antiviral substances that are effective in treating herpes infections. Homeopathy has been used down the ages and has efficient treatment for herpes. Ayurveda (the oldest medical science known to man) also offers roots and herbs to prevent the recurrence of herpes infection. Self-hypnosis, practiced on a daily basis, helps ease the pain and severity of herpes lesions. Acupuncture also shows good results in managing post neuralgic pain from shingles.

Stress plays a major role in the recurrence of genital-herpes outbreaks. Many holistic therapists focus on stress-reduction, which may be helpful for preventing the recurrence of herpes. A preliminary study suggested that applied Relaxation Therapy, deep-breathing exercises and Guided Imagery, reduces the recurrence of genital herpes outbreaks.

Herpes Ayurvedic Approach

Biogetica Therapy

Herpes is very difficult to treat and control, because the virus has the ability to remain dormant in the nerve bodies and attack when immunity is low. Furthermore, viruses are known to be excellent genetic engineers and any allopathic attempts to kill them directly result in them mutating and reappearing. Biogetica has a revolutionary approach for treating the variants of the Herpes Virus and the symptoms associated with it, like Cold Sores, Shingles and Blisters.* The Herpes Nosodes – weakened energetic imprints of the virus, used in our product kits work on the vaccine-principle and constantly remind the immune system to fight the dormant virus and eliminate it.* Biogetica therapies are the evolutionary result of years of Homeopathic, Chinese, Ayurvedic, Synergetic and Biotech research, coupled with advanced German nosode therapy.* Each kit is designed to work simultaneously on cellular, physiological, mental, emotional and energetic levels, and bring about the changes necessary for you to live outbreak-free.* A 3-month course of the kit usually results in the person never having another outbreak of cold sores or shingles for the rest of his/her life.*

TIPS

We understand that herpes brings with it, a lot of emotions, like fear, anxiety about the future, worries that it may spread, etc. So, we invite you to our Online Consultancy Program in which the patients can interact with our physicians and get valuable tips to further assist their treatment. Depending on the individual case, our physician may guide the patient to follow deep-breathing techniques, relaxation therapies, meditation, pranayam or other therapies. This purely helps in communicating with your own soul, removing stress and thereby multiplying the cure rate.

A diagnosis of genital herpes can have emotional effects whether or not symptoms are present. If you have genital herpes, you are probably concerned about the effect of your disease on personal relationships. In addition, your sexual partner may be concerned about their risk of infection. Proper counselling and treatment can help you and your partner learn to cope with the disease. Here are a few tips from us to help you:

• You are not alone. Herpes is estimated to affect approximately 80 million people in America. At least one in five adults in the United States has genital herpes. It's common to feel guilty or ashamed when you hear you have herpes. Get more information. The better informed you are about herpes, the easier it will be to manage.

• Get in touch with your doctor and practice stress management.

• In herpes, when blisters are formed, one must take care of the affected area of skin. Keep the area clean and dry during outbreaks to help healing. Try to avoid touching herpes sores and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact.

• Avoid sexual contact from the time you first experience any symptoms until the sore has completely healed (the scab has fallen off and there is new skin where the sore was).

• Do not have oral genital contact in the presence of any symptoms or findings of oral herpes.

• In case of genital herpes, wear cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing.

• A woman with herpes who is pregnant can pass the infection to her baby. A pregnant woman who has herpes should immediately contact her healthcare provider.