Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are very common worldwide. The SV-1 strain is the main cause of infections of the mouth and lips, including fever blisters. It is transmitted through direct body contact such as kissing or through shared utensils such as drinking glasses. Although the main cause of genital herpes is HSV-2, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes. HSV-2 is spread through sexual contact.
It is possible to be infected with both viruses without any clinical symptom. It often takes a trigger such as sun exposure, fever, menstruation, emotional stress, immunodeficiency or a general febrile disease to provoke an “outbreak”. There are hardly any effective treatment methods and once you have had the infection, you are very likely to get it again.
However, there are people who only experience an outbreak once and never suffer from it again. The virus is not eliminated by the organism in symptom-free periods, but survives in humans in a kind of dormant form in the nerve cells.
Up to 90% of all adults are affected.
About 90% of adults in industrialized countries are exposed to HSV-1. It is therefore very common and the disease is not unusual. The situation is different with HSV-2, where the infected person should take appropriate measures to prevent the further spread of the virus. Then they can also have a normal sex life. While most herpes infections do not lead to serious complications, infections in children, with a weakened immune system or as eye herpes can also be life-threatening.
Clinical symptoms
HSV-1
- small, painful, fluid-filled vesicles around the lips or at the corners of the mouth
- itching or burning around mouth and nose, often for a few days
- fever
- sore throat
- swollen cervical lymph nodes
Typical course
A cold sore episode is typically characterized by seven phases. These can vary greatly in duration and severity.
- Prodromal phase: pain, tingling, burning, feeling of tension with intact skin. Does not have to occur in all patients.
- Erythema: The skin reddens.
- Papelphase: Painful papules appear.
- Vesicle phase: Papules “inflate” into liquid-filled vesicles. The secretion contains millions of viruses and is highly infectious on contact.
- Ulceration phase: breaking open and melting of the vesicles, formation of painful, weeping wounds.
- Encrustation phase: Formation of severely itchy crusts and scabs.
- Healing phase: Healing of residual redness and swelling without scarring.
Various factors such as sun exposure, menstruation, stress, feverish infections or a weakened immune system can trigger a reactivation of the herpes viruses. The HSV migrates from the ganglion (nerve cells) back to the skin, infects corneal cells again and after a rapid proliferation triggers the typical herpes blisters on the lips or around the mouth. In most cases, the episode is not the end of the story. The frequency of the recurrent disease varies considerably in massively affected persons with one to more than twelve episodes per year.
Possible symptoms of HSV-2 infection:
- Itching in the genital area, buttocks or hips
small narrow blisters or open pustules on the genitals or the inside of the thighs, in women often also in the vagina - Pain can, but does not have to, occur
- vaginal discharge
- fever and muscle pain
- headache
- Pain during urination
- swollen lymph glands in the inguinal region
Causes of infection
HSV-1 is mainly spread through saliva, kissing, shared cutlery, or personal utensils such as shavers. HSV-2 is predominantly sexually transmitted.
Until not so long ago, science believed that HSV-1 was not sexually transmitted at all, so it is still often read this way in older documents. Today it is known that both HSV types can occur in the mouth as well as in the genital area, as well as in other localizations. In fact, researchers today believe that HSV-1 is responsible for up to 50% of genital herpes manifestations.
To cause infection, HSV-1 and HSV-2 must penetrate through a skin defect or the mucous membrane found in the mouth or genital area. In addition to the fluid in the fever blisters, the virus can also be present in the body’s own fluids such as saliva, semen or fluids of the genital tract.
So both HSV types can cause genital infections and both are infectious even if the person does not show clinical symptoms or blisters. Furthermore, the infection can be transmitted from the mother to the newborn during the vaginal birth, especially for baby girls.
The most efficient prevention options
For HSV-1
- no skin contact with people who have a visible infection
- no common use of personal utensils
- frequent hand washing
- no touching of eyes or genitals, no oral sex
- Use sun protection
- Reduce stress load
For HSV-2
- Avoid sex with active disease – however, a partner can be infectious without clinical symptoms.
- Anyone who starts a sexual relationship with an HSV-2 infected person should seek medical advice on how to avoid infection.
- Do not touch the wound bed
- In any case – even if no skin symptoms are visible – use latex condoms.
- Limit the number of sexual partners
The role of dietary supplements
First and foremost, L-lysine should be mentioned here. This is a so-called essential amino acid. This means that the organism cannot produce this protein itself. Therefore it must be supplied from the outside. Lysine supports the organism in its natural growth by helping it to absorb calcium. Lysine also plays an essential role in the production of collagen as well as carnitine (a chemical compound of the amino acids lysine and methionine). The latter is a protein compound that converts fatty acids into energy and lowers cholesterol levels.
Lysine inhibits the reproduction of the herpes virus.
L-lysine is the antagonist to the amino acid L-arginine, which promotes the proliferation and growth of herpes viruses. L-arginine is regarded as a food source for the herpes virus and promotes the outbreak of the fever blister. L-lysine “starves” the virus as an inhibitor of L-arginine. L-lysine provides “trace-free” support both for acute herpes infections and for the reduction of frequently recurring fever blisters. The preventive use of L-lysine can prolong the herpes-free period (relapse prophylaxis). L-lysine also promotes collagen synthesis – a perfect additional benefit in terms of rapid wound healing.
There are already a number of studies that confirm that lysine can reduce the number of recurrent infections. A smaller number of studies also confirm the reduction of individual episodes.
In principle, lysine can be ingested or increased in your diet (fish, chicken, eggs, potatoes). This can shorten the healing time and reduce the frequency of recurrence. In the case of high cholesterol or elevated blood lipids, a doctor should be consulted, as there are animal studies in which these two values increased under lysine.
Lysine can also increase calcium absorption. High-dose L-lysine counteracts the herpes simplex virus production and reduces the frequency, duration and severity of symptoms. Studies have shown that the increased intake of L-lysine leads to fewer herpes infections. The symptoms were significantly reduced and the healing time shortened. However, high doses of L-lysine are usually only taken for a short time anyway.
The concrete procedure:
1) To avoid outbreaks, take a 1,000 mg dose three times a day (morning – noon – evening) with a glass of water.
2) Up to 9,000 mg per day can be taken to treat an outbreak – even at the very first sign of a cold sore such as tingling or pulling of the lip skin. The dose is divided into three portions (3x 3,000 mg) with sufficient water. The treatment does not end until the blisters disappear.
3) The lifestyle should be adapted: a healthy diet and sufficient rest periods to prevent further outbreaks.
Other non-pharmacological options are:
- Propolis: Bee product with high antioxidant potency against infections and to support the immune system. Can stop the growth of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in laboratory tests. In combination with Zoviraxcreme a faster healing of the lesions occurred topically.
- Zinc: Has been used in local therapy for a long time and also allows lesions to heal more quickly compared to placebo. Here, the dosage must be taken into account in order to rule out interactions with antibiotics, for example.
- Lemon balm/Melissa officinalis) – some studies confirm the efficiency of singular topical application in healing fever blisters. Melissa extract in high concentration prevents the herpes simplex viruses from penetrating the skin cells, while selenium supports the melissa and promotes the drying out and healing of the herpes blisters.
Vitamins & Minerals
A saponification of the immune system with high doses of vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D and bioflavonoids, e.g. from curcuma, can support the body’s own immune defence, which is usually weakened in fever blisters. The trace element zinc is involved in a multitude of metabolic functions, including zinc is important for skin growth and for the functioning of the immune system. Vitamin C is responsible for a variety of tasks in the body (e.g. cell protection, strengthening the immune system).
A vitamin B complex consisting of vitamins B2, B6, B12 and folic acid supports the regeneration of the skin and thus active wound healing. A rapid healing of the lip area damaged by the fever blister is thus possible.
