Tuesday 25 January 2011

Super Hero Virulite versus The Herpes Villain

I believe that this article is going to enhance the smile of many of those frequently and/or periodically attacked by a common type of infection that, due to its appearance, can drive many of the infected to shame or even seclusion. Such is very likely because Herpes Labialis, commonly known as cold sore [1], is in fact a type of infection that comes along with a strong visual picture. And not a pretty one!!! 

Herpes labialis (cold sore) is characterised by eruptions of small size blisters (filled with a yellowish liquid), usually painful to touch and the affected tissue displaying a red bruised aspect [2], showing on the dermis of lips, gums, mouth, genitals. Well, mucosal areas are in general likely to be affected. The organism responsible for the infection is the Herpes simplex type 1 and 2 viruses (also known as human herpes virus 1 and 2), a long name for a very annoying and opportunistic "individual". Even though HHV-1 can cause genital herpes, the main responsible for the expression over genitals is HHV-2 [1]. 

HHV!! This member of the Herpesviridae family waits like a sniper for the proper conditions to just show up and assembly a show you will hardly forget. Whenever you're cold, under stress and crying, over exposed to sun, when women are menstruated or there's a mechanical disruption of the skin from those specific mucosal areas mentioned above [2], BOOOMMM, the HHV snipes out a few blisters, you go ballistic and stressed out; that worsens up things and finally a population of ugly little ulcers appear to display their full, "uncalled for" power!

Everyone affected by this condition knows that there is no final cure to herpes, the way you can infect someone is very simple and due to its romantic vectorisation it has been labelled as the "kiss sickness" in many Western European countries. 'Cause we do like kissing a lot there!!! Once one has it, it is likely to recur, but between outbreaks the virus kind of hibernates going dormant in nerve cells [1].

"It has been estimated that 80% of the population have been infected by HSV type 1 by the age of 20." [2]

A summary of the symptoms specific to the two types hereby described (HHV-1 and HHV-2) can be found below:

Signs and Symptoms:
HSV-1
  • Small, painful blisters filled with fluid around the lips or edge of the mouth
  • Tingling or burning around the mouth or nose (often a few days before blisters appear)
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph nodes in neck
HSV-2
  • Tingling sensation in the genitalia, buttocks, and thighs
  • Small red blisters or open sores on genitals or inner thighs; in women, often occur inside the vagina
  • May be painful or not
  • In women, vaginal discharge
  • Fever, muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Painful urination
  • Swollen lymph glands in the groin
Source: [1].


But bonanza reveals a pink skin when healing takes over, after 7 to 10 days [2]. But what about fighting it with really effective methods and substances. As far as we all know, prevention is the most effective tool we have in hands, and if you'd like to know better what to do then just follow this link and look over for Preventive Care on that web page. Thankfully, I am not affected by this virus, or luckily it has never showed on my body so far in 32 years; but for many people herpes is a struggle, the slightest emotionality and there it is, all reddish, yellowish and inconvenient. But regardless of a non-existent final cure, there are several known ways you can battle this fierce virus and reduce its activity, for example, the so famous pharmaceuticals such as Zovirax, Famvir, Valtrex and, on the other hand, nutritional and dietary supplements as the ones listed and described below:

Lysine (1 - 3 g per day) — Several studies suggest that lysine may help reduce the number of recurring outbreaks of cold sores and possibly genital herpes. A few studies also suggest that lysine may help shorten the duration of an outbreak. The evidence is somewhat stronger for cold sores: the research to date is not entirely conclusive, but lysine supplements have been used to help treat or prevent mouth and genital lesions caused by herpes.

Propolis — A resin made by bees, propolis is loaded with flavonoids (antioxidants that help fight infection and boost immune function). Test tube studies show it can stop HSV-1 and HSV-2 from reproducing. One small study of people with genital herpes compared an ointment made from propolis to Zovirax ointment. People using propolis saw the lesions heal faster than those using topical Zovirax. More studies are needed to say for sure whether propolis works.

Zinc — In test tubes, zinc is effective against HSV-1 and HSV-2. In one small study, people who applied zinc oxide cream to cold sores saw them heal faster than those who applied a placebo cream.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) — Several studies suggest that topical ointments containing lemon balm may help heal cold sores. In one study, for example, those who applied lemon balm cream to their lip sores saw a reduction in redness and swelling after 2 days.

Aloe (Aloe vera) — Preliminary evidence suggests that aloe gel used topically may improve the symptoms of genital herpes in men. In two studies, men who used the aloe vera cream (0.5% aloe) saw lesions heal faster than those who used a placebo cream. It isn't known whether aloe vera would also help heal cold sores.

Rhubarb cream (Rheum palmatum) — In one Swiss study, a cream made from sage (Salvia officinalis) and rhubarb was as effective as Zovirax in healing cold sores. Sage by itself was not beneficial. More research is needed.

Eleutherococcus or Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus/Acanthopanax senticosus) —Although not all studies agree, one 6-month study of 93 people with genital herpes found that Siberian ginseng reduced the frequency, severity, and duration of outbreaks. This herb should not be taken if you have high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea (repeated, prolonged periods when breathing stops while sleeping), narcolepsy (frequent day time sleeping), are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Peppermint oil (Mentha x piperita ) — In test tubes, peppermint oil has stopped a number of viruses from reproducing, including herpes. However, it isn't known whether peppermint oil would have any effect on the herpes virus in humans.

Because supplements may have side effects or interact with medications, you should take them only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Source: [1]

Now we enter the second half of this match, so far seen as a boring draw since I managed only to bring the known common armoury to this imbalanced fight. Well, not anymore, apparently. Everyone is going mad with the late discoveries on the long fight against herpes, Virulite, a modern anti-herpes super hero tested in a 2001 pilot study of treatment of herpes labialis with 1072-nm narrow waveband light, by scientists Dougal and Kelly, delivering very positive results. They compared a single 5 minutes light treatment of 1072nm wavelength tested against topical aciclovir (an antiviral drug for herpes) applied 5 times daily. The treatment was started after 36 hours of the onset of symptoms. The results presented a clear winner, i.e., a single 5 minutes treatment drastically reduced cold sore healing time by 4 days [3]. So, what used to take a week or more to heal, is now taking only around 3 days. 

A similar study was conducted in 2006 by Hargate; same wavelength narrowband laser light proving effective on the reduction of mean healing times, again Virulite CS, only this time compared to a Placebo. It was decided that the radiation of exposure would last for merely 3 minutes, although repeated 6 times. A significant difference has been proven between the mean healing times of the compared groups on the treatment of herpes labialis [4].

My only question now, and what I will be endeavouring to bring you the in-depth biochemical details here, as soon as I get my hands on that paper, is how the hell is this accomplished?! Well, I have a few ideas based on my days as an engineering student where I gained a few theoretical basis on the Chemistry of Light and applications on infections. in addition, I searched the web for proved statements and here is what I found - You throw light at their genetic material, you disrupt and disarray the areas coding for reproduction, you defeat the bastards by inhibiting their multiplication :

"UV does not kill microorganisms like chlorine does, but instead UV inactivates them. UV light at a specific wavelength of 254 nm is readily absorbed by the genetic material of microorganisms. The DNA strand is coded with a specific sequence of something called base pairs. The sequence of these base pairs codes for certain characteristics. UV light at 254 nm is readily absorbed at the point on the microorganism's DNA strand which codes for reproduction" [5]. 

"UV light kills the bacteria by attacking the DNA of a cell preventing cellular division. It attacks the RNA in viruses (preventing replication). PHI cells combine both methods" [5]

"Ultraviolet light has four principal wavelengths: UV-A, UV-B, UV-C and UV-V. This wavelength's primary uses are for the destruction of bacteria... The Centers for Disease Control recommends this method for destroying viruses such as Tuberculosis" [5].

"UV-C is the invisible, ultraviolet, C-band radiation that makes up part of the sun's light spectrum. By altering the DNA and RNA and effectively sterilizing the organisms, the UV-C light prevents growth and germination of microorganisms. Once sterilized, they cannot reproduce and with their short life cycles, they are successfully killed" [5].

Question being now the fact that 1072 nm are in fact 1.072 micrometers and exactly 1.07200 × 10-6 metres, approximately 10-6 meters, therefore falling on the infrared radiation spectrum. So, I am still looking for the exact reason why this infrared radiation inhibits herpes labialis progression. If you have any ideas, please forward them to me, if not, keep visiting us as I'll be researching like a mad dog!

Thanks once again for your visit, you are the ones making this blog useful. And wait for more developments on this subject pretty soon here on The Toxicologist Today. As for now, good.bye!

[1] - University of Maryland Medical Center - http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/herpes-simplex-000079.htm; last visited on the 25th of January 2011.

[2] - Soft tissue lesions - http://www.dentistry.bham.ac.uk/cal/stlesions/stltn21.htm; last seen on the 25th of January 2011.

[3] - Dougal, G. and Kelly, P. (2001). "A pilot study of treatment of herpes labialis with 1072 nm narrow waveband light". Clin Exp Dermatol. 26 (2): 149-54.

[4] - Hargate, G. (2006). "A randomised double-blindstudy comparing the effect of 1072-nm light against placebo for the treatment of herpes labialis". Clin Exp Dermatol. 31(5): 638-641.

[5] - The query cat - http://www.querycat.com/question/76f344bd1c32c3bf283a9b53e0ef2dd1; last seen on the 25th of January 2011.

20 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Now FDA Cleared the Virulite cold sore machine is Available now. You can get one direct from Virulite.eu delivery worldwide.

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  3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  4. This is real take it serious, who will believe that a herb can cure herpes, i navel believe that this will work i have spend a lot when getting drugs from the hospital to keep me healthy, what i was waiting for is death because i was broke, one day i hard about this great man who is well know of HIV and cancer cure, i decided to email him, unknowingly to me that this will be the end of the herpes in my body, he prepare the herb for me, and give me instruction on how to take it, at the end of the one month, he told me to go to the hospital for a check up, and i went, surprisingly after the test the doctor confirm me negative, i thought it was a joke, i went to other hospital was also negative, then i took my friend who was also herpes positive to the Dr okorom, after the treatment she was also confirm negative . He also have the herb to cure cancer. please i want every one with this virus to be free, that is why am dropping his email address, dr.okoromspellhome@live.com do email him he is a great man. the government is also interested in this DR, thank you for saving my life, and I promise I will always testify for your good work

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  5. My name is Wayne Marsha, I am here to give my testimony about a doctor who helped me in my life. I was infected with HERPES SIMPLEX virus in 2010, i went to many hospitals for cure but there was no solution, so I was thinking how can I get a solution out so that my body can be okay. One day I was in the river side thinking where I can go to get solution. so a lady walked to me telling me why am I so sad and i open up all to her telling her my problem, she told me that she can help me out, she introduce me to a doctor who uses herbal medication to cure HERPES SIMPLEX virus and gave me his email, so i mail him. He told me all the things I need to do and also give me instructions to take, which I followed properly. Before I knew what is happening after two weeks the HERPES SIMPLEX virus that was in my body got vanished . so if you are also heart broken and also need a help, you can also email him at ogboduherbalhivcure@gmail.com OR ogboduspellhome@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cold sores camera.gif , sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. The skin around the blisters is often red, swollen, and sore. The blisters may break open, leak a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. They usually heal in several days to 2 weeks.
    How To Cure Cold Sores

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  7. herpes type 1 (HSV-1, or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes). Most commonly, herpes type 1 causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2. In HSV-2, the infected person may have sores around the genitals or rectum. Although HSV-2 sores may occur in other locations, these sores usually are found below the waist.
    Herpes Simplex 2 Treatment

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  8. Herpes is a kind of cold sores that you can develop on your body and it is caused due to the attack of herpes simple virus. Herpes are usually seen to appear in your mouth, face, lips and sometimes in the genital area which is known as the genital herpes. It is spread mainly through sexual contact or even through intimate skin contact. The type 1 herpes simple virus 1 causes cold sores on your face, lips, mouth and sometimes causes sores on your genitals. The Type 2 herpes simple virus 2 often causes sores on your genitals. There are quite a few easy home remedies that you can try out to get rid of the primary symptoms of herpes.
    Facts About Herpes Treatment

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  9. Wow guys, that was quite an interesting and lively participation. Thanks for visiting the blog! Have a great 2015.

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  10. Herpes simplex viruses -- more commonly known as herpes -- are categorized into two types: herpes type 1 (HSV-1, or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes). Most commonly, herpes type 1 causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2. In HSV-2, the infected person may have sores around the genitals or rectum. Although HSV-2 sores may occur in other locations, these sores usually are found below the waist.
    Symptoms Of Herpes 1 And Herpes 2

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  11. If you were diagnosed with genital herpes in the last few days, you may be experiencing a number of uncomfortable or painful symptoms. Or, perhaps the symptoms are rather mild, barely noticeable, and resemble an insect bite or a rash. First episodes usually occur within the first two weeks after the virus is transmitted. Herpes Symptoms

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