First Signs of Herpes Outbreak:
Other than keeping your immune system strong and the virus dormant through effective treatment of herpes, it is the first signs of herpes that gives you the best chance of stopping a herpes outbreak. The first signs of a herpes outbreak can appear 24 – 48 hours before an outbreak is expected. Symptoms can include soreness or a bruised feeling in and around the hip and flank area, often moving down one or both legs. It is also quite common to experience flu like symptoms which can include an all-over-body ache, fatigue and muscle pain. During this first stage of herpes, as a natural treatment you can start to take high doses of Vitamin C (3000 mg) and (very important!) 30mg – 60mg of Zinc.
I always suggest that each and every day you take a immune tonic which can increase your immune function and keep any herpes outbreak dormant.
Excellent immune tonics to consider would be:
- Reishi: Reishi is highly valued in Asia for increasing resistance and extending life, and has also been extensively studied for its immune function boosting properties. Thankfully Reishi is now widely available in North American in supplement form.
- Ashwagandha: A traditional herb from India where it is highly valued as a general tonic.
- Rhodiola: Rhodiola is an amazing supplement which can aid with many stress related symptoms including fatigue, cancer, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing effects. It is useful for acute stress, mild depression and memory problems.
- Siberian Ginseng: This herb is extremely helpful with exhaustion, a lack of energy, and general fatigue from overwork.
If you are taking a daily supplement of any of the above (and just try one for a few months and see how it works for you. Please don’t go out and buy all of them and take them all together!), and you begin to feel a herpes outbreak, you can increase the dosage in the 24-48 hour window along with any increase or addition of Vitamin C and Zinc.
Should you have opted to treat your herpes outbreak with a pharmaceutical anti-viral (Acyclovir, Famvir, or Valtrex) it is in this 24 – 48 period that you would want to commence the recommended dosage and/or increase the dosage that you are taking for suppression. For more information on the anti-viral medications in conjunction with the stages of herpes, visit: Treatment for Herpes.
Regardless of whether you are opting for medical or natural treatment of your herpes outbreak, it is crucial that you take care of yourself and get as much sleep and rest as you can. Following the a above recommendations can greatly increase your chances of completely stopping your herpes outbreak or decreasing the duration and severity of the outbreak.
Good luck and take care.
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