Genital Herpes - Good News For Red Wine Lovers?

Videos

Tyra Banks talks about Herpes

see larger video

sourced by JennyDV

Photos

Genital Herpes - Good News For Red Wine Lovers

see larger image

uploaded by JennyDV

Red Wine Could Stop Herpes

"An ingredient of red wine (Resveratrol) could prevent the spread of herpes, according to scientists.

Research carried out in the US has found that the compound in red wine, when daubed on infectious sores, can stop a sufferer passing it on and could even lessen the chance of sores developing fully.

The scientists suggest this compound could also be used to treat facial cold sores if rubbed onto the affected area before the sores appear.

They also suggest it could be put in condoms or contraceptive foams to prevent the spread of genital herpes."

From BBC News 

Antiviral effects of Resveratrol

"Resveratrol seems to increase the potency of some antiretroviral drugs against HIV in vitro.

Infection by herpes simplex virus ordinarily activates the cell protein Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB). A Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine study undertaken in Vero cells found that resveratrol suppresses the activation of this transcription- and apoptosis-related protein. The study further found that multiple viral protein products were reduced or completely blocked, as well as a reduction in viral DNA production.

A cell culture study found that resveratrol blocks the influenza virus from transporting viral proteins to the viral assembly site, hence restricting its ability to replicate. The effect was 90% when resveratrol was added six hours after infection and continued for 24 hours thereafter."

Source: Wikipedia 

Effect of resveratrol on herpes simplex virus vaginal infection in the mouse

"John J. Dochertya, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Ming Ming Fua, Jennifer M. Haha, Thomas J. Sweeta, Seth A. Faitha and Tristan Boothb
aDepartment of Microbiology/Immunology, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, 4209 State Route 44, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
bRoyalmount Pharma Inc., 6111 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Que., Canada H4P 2T4
Received 11 May 2004;  accepted 22 June 2005.  Available online 9 August 2005.

Abstract

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural component of certain foods, such as grapes, that, when topically applied, has been shown to limit HSV-1 lesion formation in the skin of mice [Antiviral Res. 61:19–26, 2004]. To determine if it is active on genital HSV infection, the vagina of mice were infected with HSV-2 or HSV-1 and treated with a cream formulation of resveratrol.

Mice were evaluated daily for extravaginal disease and vaginal swabs were taken regularly and assayed for infectious virus. Initial studies demonstrated that 19% resveratrol cream administered intravaginally five times a day for 5 days beginning 1 h after infection significantly reduced HSV-2 replication beginning on day 1 of infection and prevented extravaginal disease when compared to animals treated with placebo.

When resveratrol was tested at a concentration of 6.25% and 12.5% administered five times a day, 6.25% limited virus replication only on day 1 and delayed development of extravaginal disease by 1 day. However, 12.5% resveratrol inhibited HSV-2 replication beginning on day 1 and abolished extravaginal disease.

If the number of applications per day was reduced to three for 5 days, 12.5% resveratrol inhibited HSV-2 replication only on day 1, while 19% resveratrol inhibited it throughout the 9-day assay period. When the animals with three treatments per day were examined for extravaginal disease, it was found that 12.5% resveratrol was ineffective when compared to placebo, while animals treated with 19% resveratrol did not exhibit extravaginal disease.

When treatment was delayed 6 h, 12.5% resveratrol did not inhibit HSV-2 replication or extravaginal lesion formation, but 19% resveratrol did. When resveratrol was used to treat vaginal HSV-1 infection, it was found that 12.5% resveratrol did not limit replication or prevent extravaginal lesion formation. In contrast, 19% resveratrol did significantly limit vaginal HSV-1 replication and reduced extravaginal lesion formation, but the latter was not significant.

Mortality rates in placebo-treated animals was 37%, 6.25% resveratrol-treated animals was 40%, 12.5% resveratrol-treated animals was 24%, and 19% resveratrol-treated animals was 3%. Collectively, these results demonstrate that resveratrol cream inhibits or reduces HSV replication in the vagina of mice and limits extravaginal disease."

Source: Science Direct 

Herpes

Genital herpes is a contagious sexually transmitted infection generally caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). As its name suggests, its signs appear as one or more blisters around the genitals or in some cases, the rectum. Although its signs and symptoms may appear during its first outbreak, there are individuals who are not aware that they have been infected by it because they see no visible signs.

Women with infected cervix, for example, may not have symptoms of any kind, but when an outbreak occurs, the virus causes painful blister on the thighs, genitals, or rectum that break and open and turn into sores.

As genital herpes involves the genitals, any sexually active person is prone to acquiring it, although taking precautionary measures can prevent is spread. It could also be acquired by having oral sex with a person who has cold sores. To check if you have been infected by the various or not, you may take note of these symptoms:

• difficulty with urination
• sore lymph nodes in the groin area
• vaginal discharge in women 
• muscle aches
• fever

 
The infection caused by HSV-2  is said to be more common in women than in men. It  may cause a recurring genital sores in many adults, which is by the way painful, and it could be detrimental to people with weak immune systems. One's knowledge that he or she has been infected may also cause psychological distress. Feeling embarrassed or guilty, a sufferer may go through a range of emotions. But one may find consolation and relief in the idea that there are other millions of individuals who are likewise affected by herpes.   

The cure for genital herpes is elusive because first and foremost, it is a virus. Our body might find it hard to fight it as it hides in the nerves in the middle of outbreaks.  However, there are treatments that can reduce the discomfort it brings, as well as to limit the outbreak frequency.

Antiviral medicine in the form of ointment or pills are possible prescriptions, and natural creams and lotions are likely options. But of course, it would be best to take preventive measures to avoid getting infected by the virus. Having multiple sexual partners should be avoided as it increases the risk of the virus' spread.

The proper use of condom when having sexual contact with someone else should also be taken into consideration, although the best precautionary measure is abstinence from sex.

 Sources: XHERPES