| Investigation is on presently for an effective herpes | | | | Alternative solutions are being discussed today in |
| vaccine and there is a general consensus that | | | | which are enumerated two control methods: |
| something should be available in 3-5 years. But these | | | | immunotherapy and antiviral therapy. Antiviral therapy |
| vaccines will be limited in function as in they will | | | | is the development of drugs that can identify the |
| prevent infection in new patients. Those with the | | | | cells that harbor the virus and distinguish them from |
| herpes simplex virus already residing in their bodies | | | | the others. The drugs have to work in such a way |
| will probably not benefit. | | | | that they destroy the virus completely, without |
| There have been attempts to make vaccines which | | | | leaving fragments or producing mutants that may |
| will prevent the HSV occurrence, but with not much | | | | resurface later inside infected cells. Basically what is |
| success unfortunately. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals | | | | being asked is that the antiviral agents must be lethal |
| started a trial in November 2002 in this direction and | | | | to viruses only and must be non-toxic to body cells. |
| hopefully, we should see some progress in the years | | | | Immunotherapy deals with developing agents that |
| to come. | | | | help fight the virus naturally by stimulating the body's |
| Isoniplex (Isoprinosine) has been approved for use in | | | | immune response system. Some substances available |
| HSV infections in about 56 countries due to its | | | | currently can activate specialized white blood cells. |
| antiviral action and its ability to stimulate the body's | | | | The amino acid lysine has been found to control |
| immune response. In the United States, Isoniplex is | | | | herpes and researchers have found that if free form |
| currently under investigation and under trial for HSV | | | | lysine is added to a diet high in lysine and low in |
| primary and recurrent cases. There may not be any | | | | arginine, it appears to be useful. Viral replication |
| cure as of now but there are drugs that help reduce | | | | increased in tissue culture studies when the amino |
| the frequency and the duration of an outbreak and | | | | acid ratio of arginine to lysine favors arginine. A higher |
| your doctor would be able to give you a fairly good | | | | ratio of lysine to arginine will suppress the viral |
| idea about your options. | | | | replication and inhibit the cytopathogenicity of the |
| You natural healing process will be aided by the fact | | | | herpes simplex virus. L-Lysine is seen to be an |
| that the area is kept clean and dry during an | | | | effective agent for reducing the occurrence, severity |
| outbreak. Warm showers are recommended to clean | | | | and healing time for HSV infection that reoccurs. |
| the infected area, then gently towel dried or with a | | | | Food items that have more lysine than arginine are |
| hair dryer on a low or cool setting. Avoid tight-fitting | | | | fish, chicken, beef, lamb, milk, cheese, beans, |
| undergarments to prevent chaffing. Creams and | | | | brewer's yeast and bean sprouts. Peas, gelatin, |
| lotions may only irritate so preferably avoid using any | | | | chocolate, carob, coconut, oats, whole-wheat, white |
| of these. But, at the end of the day it is a healthy | | | | flour, peanuts, soybeans and wheat germ are known |
| immune system that is important in controlling the | | | | to have more arginine than lysine. |
| virus along with proper nutrition, exercise and rest. | | | | |