Herpes

Signs and symptoms
There is often a pre-outbreak sensation of tingling or mild sensitivity around the mouth or the genitals, which is followed by the appearance of painful blister type vesicles which eventually burst leaving tender ulcers that commonly heal within two to three days. Pain, a burning sensation or numbness around the affected area often accompany these outbreaks.

Typically the first outbreak may take two to four weeks to heal with another episode appearing weeks or even months later.
Subsequent infections are normally almost always less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Between outbreaks the HSV remains dormant in the sensory nerve cells.

Reactivation of the virus may be precipitated by a number of stimuli
• stress
• food allergy
• minor infections
• sunburn
• high arginine foods
• sexual activity (genital herpes)
• menstruation

Replication of the HSV requires the amino acid arginine, which competes with other amino acids for intestinal transport, namely, lysine.

High arginine-containing foods include nuts, chocolate, grains.
The worst arginine/lysine ratio being found in chocolate, peanuts and almonds.

A preponderance of lysine over arginine is believed to inhibit herpes infections. Indeed one double-blinded placebo-controlled trial found that 1248 mg l-lysine per day showed evidence of decreasing the recurrence of herpes simplex and reducing the severity of symptoms.

Lysine supplementation and arginine restriction is effective in reducing recurrences but not curative.

Vitamin C also assists in healing through immune modulation and a vitamin C complex with the bioflavanoids has been shown to reduce blisters and to prevent the disruption of the vesicular membrane. Calcium sulphate also acts as intercellular cement and promotes rapid repair of connective tissue. Lecithin, with vitamin A and D, also assists in the rapid repair of herpetic blisters.

Virus protocol
• Low arginine diet, especially in the prodrome stage of the virus, when mild symptoms are experienced
• Lysine supplementation 2000 mg per day during infection
• Vitamin C complex 2000 mg daily in divided doses
• Calcium sulphate 100–200 mg daily
• Lecithin 1000 mg daily
• Zinc 45 mg three times daily
• A herbal blend of Echinacea, Cleavers, Poke root and St Johns Wort (excellent for enveloped viruses such as herpes) will also boost the immune system and speed recovery.