Herpes simplex is a viral disease caused by herpes simplex viruses; both herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) cause herpes simplex. Acute viral infectious disease characterised by grouped itchy, vesicular eruptions on skin and mucous membranes.

Infection with the herpes virus is categorized into one of several distinct disorders based on the site of infection. Oral herpes, the visible symptoms of which are colloquially called cold sores, infects the face and mouth. Oral herpes is the most common form of infection. Infection of the genitals, commonly known as herpes, is the second most common form of herpes. Other disorders such as herpetic whitlow, herpes gladiatorum, ocular herpes (keratitis), cerebral herpes infection encephalitis, Mollaret’s meningitis, neonatal herpes, and possibly Bell’s palsy are all caused by herpes simplex viruses.

Some people have no symptoms. Others get sores near the area where the virus has entered the body. They turn into blisters, become itchy and painful, and then heal. The virus can be dangerous in newborn babies or in people with weak immune systems. Studies show that genital herpes simplex virus is common.

Herpes viruses cycle between periods of active disease—presenting as blisters containing infectious virus particles—that last 2–21 days, followed by a remission period, during which the sores disappear. Genital herpes, however, is often asymptomatic, though viral shedding may still occur. After initial infection, the viruses move to sensory nerves, where they reside as life-long, latent viruses. Causes of recurrence are uncertain, though some potential triggers have been identified. Over time episodes of active disease reduce in frequency.

Herpes simplex is most easily transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual. Transmission may also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic shedding. Oral herpes causes cold sores around the mouth or face. Genital herpes affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can get it from having sex, even oral sex. The virus can spread even when sores are not present. Mothers can also infect their babies during childbirth.

Herpes simplex should not be confused with herpes zoster, which is a viral disease caused by varicella zoster virus.

There are two types of herpes simplex viruses (HSV). HSV type 2 is the one that most commonly causes genital herpes. The infection causes painful sores on the genitals in both men and women. HSV type 1 is the herpes virus that is usually responsible for cold sores of the mouth, the so-called “fever blisters.” You get HSV-1 by coming into contact with the saliva of an infected person.

However, HSV type 1 can cause genital herpes, usually caused by oral-genital sexual contact with a person who has the oral HSV-1 infection, and HSV type 2 can cause cold sores.

ETIOLOGY

CAUSATIVE ORGANISM

  • Herpes simplex virus.

TRANSMISSION

  • Close contact.

PRECIPITATING CAUSES

  • Stress, physical or mental.
  • Injury.
  • Fever- malaria, pneumonia, meningitis.
  • Debility.

WEATHER

  • Common in cold season (cold sores ).

CLINICAL FEATURES

ONSET

  • Insidious.

LOCATION

  • Lips, nose, mouth, genitalia.

SYMPTOMS

  • Itching.
  • Burning pain.

LESION

  • Starts as red, swollen, localised macule.
  • Multiple, tiny, grouped vesicles form on macule.
  • Contents of vesicles are clear.
  • Within 24-36 hours contents become opaque.
  • Vesicles rupture.
  • Crusts form.
  • Heals without scarring.

COMPLICATION

  • Secondary infection.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  • Maintain good hygiene.
  • Nutritious diet.
  • Keep affected parts clean.
  • Adequate physical, mental rest.

Homeopathic Treatment for Herpes simplex

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy. To study any of the following remedies in more detail, please visit our Materia Medica section. None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice.

Homeopathic Remedies

  • Apis.
  • Arsenicum album.
  • Cantharis.
  • Graphites.
  • Hepar sulphuricum.
  • Mercurius solubilis.
  • Nat-mur.
  • Nitric acid.
  • Rhus tox.
  • Sulphur.

ARS. ALB.

Herpes typically affects the lips, the face and intercostal region. The eruptions are confluent ith intense burning sensation in the blister. Patient is worse after midnight and from cold in any form. Patient feels better by warmth. Associated with herpes, patient feels very thirsty and gets prostrated very easily. Herpetic eruptions alternate with internal affections.

Great Prostration, with rapid sinking of the vital forces; fainting. The disposition is:

a. Depression, melancholy, despairing, indifferent.

b. Anxious, fearful, restless, full of anguish.

c. Irritable, sensitive, peevish, easily vexed.

The greater the suffering the greater the anguish, restlessness and fear of death. Mentally restless, but physically too weak to move. Indicated by its periodicity and time aggravation: after mid-night, and from 1-2 a.m. And by its intense restlessness, mental and physical: its anxiety and prostration.

GRAPH

Graphites has a special affinity for folds of skin, e.g. joints, behind ears, groins, neck. Herpes in obese females with delayed and scanty menses. Herpes appearing at climateric. Large blisters from umbilicus to the spine, mainly affecting left side. Itching spots on various parts of the body which oozes a watery sticky fluid. Itching as though foreign matter would pass out through the skin. Circular herpes, feels hard to touch and is wrinkled. The itching is worse at night, during and after mensturation and is better from wrapping up.

Suited to – Excessive cautiousness; timid, hesitates; unable to decide about anything. Fidgety while sitting at work. Sad, despondent; music makes her weep; thinks of nothing but death.

HEPAR SULPHUR

Face, hands, genitals and bends of knees and elbows are the commonly affected regions. Herpes after abuse of mercury. Adapted to persons with unhealthy skin which suppurates easily. Patients are highly sensetive to cold. Herpes zoster from spine forwards, especially the left side. The eruption is the seat of acute neuralgic pains which are worse at night; vesicles on an inflamed base associated with splinter like pains, severe itching and scratching. There is marked aggravation at naight, from cold; touch and the patient feels better in damp weather and from wrapping up wramly. Eapecially suited to persons with a sour body odour. Herpes circinatus.

For torpid lymphatic constitutions; persons with light hair and complexion, slow to act, muscles soft and flabby. The slightest injury causes suppuration. Diseases where the system has been injured by the abuse of Mercury. In diseases where suppuration seems inevitable, Hepar may open the abscess and hasten the cure. Oversensitive,   physically and mentally; the slightest cause irritates him; quick, hasty speech and hasty drinking. Patient is peevish, angry at the least trifle; hypochondriacal; unreasonably anxious. Extremely sensitive to cold air, imagines he can feel the air if a   door is opened in the next room; must be wrapped up to the face even in hot weather;  cannot bear to be uncovered; takes cold from slightest exposure to fresh air.

MERCURIOUS SOLUBILIS

Mercurius has a marked affinity for right side. Herpes of right forearm, wrist & hand. Herpes prepucialis of the right side extending across the abdomen. There is itching which changes to burning on scratching & shooting pains which are worse at night & in cold damp weather. Herpetic eruptions which are surrounded by small pimples. Herpes with a tendency to suppurate especially in persons with profuse sweat.

Nervous affections after suppressed discharges especially in psoric patients. Glandular and scrofulous affections of children.

NAT. MUR.

Nat-mur has a special predilection for skin about the mouth; on arms and eyes, chest, nape of neck; genitals & bends of elbows & knees; knuckles. Adapted to persons with greasy unhealthy skin. Herpes circinatus with burning spots. Gnawing, itching, shooting pains which are worse from heat; worse at seashore and from eating too much salt & are better in open air & while sweating. Herpes labialis during fever.

For the anaemic and cachectic, whether from lots of vital fluids- profuse menses,  seminal losses- or mental affections. Great emaciation; losing flesh while living well. Throat and neck of children emaciate rapidly during summer complaint. Great liability to take cold. Irritability: child cross when spoken to; crying from slightest   cause; gets into a passion about trifles, especially when consoled with. Awkward ,  hasty, drops things from nervous weakness. Marked disposition to weep; sad weeping  mood, without cause, but consolation from others <. her troubles.

NITRIC ACID

Herpetic eruptions develop in whiskers, between fingers, on alae nasi, on outer side of the thigh. There is presence of itching which is worse on undressing, worse in open air, at change of weather, from contact. Associated with itching, the overall appearance of the skin is dry, cracked & fissured with blackish discolouration. The skin is cracked practically at all angles. It is also useful in post herpetic neuralgia where the pain is sticking like a splinter.

RHUS TOX.

Herpes with a marked predeliction for the right side & hairy parts. Herpes of the face. The itching is worse in winter & while sweating. Itching alternates with pains in the chest & dysenteric stools.

Adapted to persons of rheumatic diathesis; bad effects of getting wet, especially after being over-heated. “Worse cold, wet”. Worse wet; bathing; washing; strain. Drawing, tearing pain, especially fibrous tissues; joints; round joints. Restlessness; must move, though first movement painful. Better from dry, warm application.

SULPHUR

Herpes miliaris, phlyctenoides, circinatus & squamosus. Dry scaly herpes on nape of neck & ankles. Moist herpes with small white vesicles in groups, forming scabs over the whole face, especially above nose & about the eyes. There is burning pain after scratching. The patient is always worse from washing, bathing & getting warm in bed.

Adapted to persons of a scrofulous diathesis, subject to venous congestion; especially of portal system. Persons of nervous temperament, quick motioned, quick tempered, plethoric, skin excessively sensitive to atmospheric changes. For lean, stoop-shouldered persons who walk and sit stooping like old men. Standing is the worst position for sulphur patients; they cannot stand; every standing position is uncomfortable. Dirty, filthy people, prone to skin affections. Aversion to being washed; always < after a bath. Too lazy to rouse himself; too unhappy to live.