Herpes Virus type 1 and 2 explained

Cold sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus (HSV), also known as Human herpes virus (HHV).

When the herpes simplex virus causes outbreaks on the lips and around the mouth it is known as Cold sores, when the outbreaks occur mainly on the genitals, it is more commonly known as Genital herpes.

HHV-1 Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) Oral and/or genital herpes (predominantly orofacial)

HHV-2 Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) Genital herpes and/or oral (predominantly genital)

Both viruses cause periods of active disease presenting as painful blisters containing infectious virus particles which typically last for 2-21 days and is followed by remission when the sores disappear. Most cases of genital herpes are asymptomatic, although viral shedding may still occur. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are transmitted by direct contact with a sore or body fluid of an infected individual. After initial infection, these viruses move to sensory nerves, where they reside as lifelong, latent viruses. The viruses lie dormant in the trigeminal ganglia nerve that provide sensation to the lips, lower mouth and neck, or in lumbrosacral nerve that supply sensation to the genitals, perineum and upper legs. There will be occasions when either or both these viruses reactivate and return to the area of skin originally infected during the primary infection. Triggers for recurrences are uncertain but may include sunburn, ultraviolet light, wind, trauma, surgery, and stress.

Cold Sores

Cold sores are very painful outbreaks on the lips. In some people the virus reactivates to cause recurrent infection this is more common with an HSV-1 than an HSV-2 oral infection. Prodromal (an early non-specific symptom) symptoms often precede a recurrence, which typically begins with reddening of the skin around the infected site, with eventual ulceration to form fluid-filled blisters that affect the lip (labial) tissue and the area between the lip and skin (vermilion border) .A lot of people are aware an outbreak is going to occur before the reddening of the skin is by a tingling feeling at the site where the out break is going to occur. It is at this time people start to use treatments to try and prevent the outbreak.

Genital Sores

Clusters of inflamed papules and vesicles on the outer surface of the genitals represent the typical symptoms of a primary HSV-1 or HSV-2 genital infection. These usually appear 4 to 7 days after sexual exposure to HSV for the first time, and may resemble cold sores. In males the lesions occur on the shaft of the penis or other parts of the genital region like the inner thigh, buttocks or anus. In females lesions appear on or near the pubis, labia, clitoris, vulva, buttocks or anus. Other common symptoms include pain, itching and burning. Less frequent yet still common symptoms include discharge from the penis or vagina, fever, headache, muscle pain (myalgia), swollen and enlarged lymph nodes and malaise. Women often experience additional symptoms that include painful urination (dysuria) and cervicitis (inflammation of the tissues of the cervix). After 2-3 weeks, existing lesions progress into ulcers and then crust and heal although lesions on the mucosal surfaces may never form crusts.

Antivirals

There are over the counter antiviral medications available for controlling hsv outbreaks, including aciclovir (Zovirax), valaciclovir (Valtrex), famciclovir (Famvir), and penciclovir. Aciclovir was the original and prototypical member of this drug class and is now available in generic brands at a greatly reduced cost. Valaciclovir and famciclovir are prodrugs of aciclovir and penciclovir respectively, which have improved solubility in water and better bioavailability when taken orally.

Lysine, Arginine and dietary sources explained.

There are natural supplements which may also help to prevent outbreaks of HSV. One supplement which is widely reported to prevent outbreaks of cold sores is the amino acid lysine usually in the form of L-lysine. Lysine prevents the herpes virus using the amino acid Arginine which it requires in order to replicate and break out in the sores.

Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means that it is essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body, for this reason it must be obtained from food or by taking a lysine supplement.

Dietary sources include cheese, eggs, milk, meat and pulses.

It is important to avoid foods which contain the amino acid Arginine as herpes virus require this. Dietary sources which have high levels of Arginine are nuts. Whilst Arginine is found in other foods like dairy products and meats, as is Lysine the amount of Lysine in these foods is far greater then the amount of Arginine.

Lysine is available in capsule form, powder form and in various topical creams.

Mouth Ulcers

If the cause of a mouth ulcer is viral, the most common cause is the Herpes simplex virus which causes recurrent herpetiform ulceration's preceded by usually painful multiple vesicles which burst.

Further information and the Lysine products available for Cold Sores, Genital Sores and Herpes Viruses