One out of three Americans carries the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2), but while some people have serious recurrences of herpes or herpes outbreaks, others have mild or no symptoms. This article talks about why this is so, and aims to provide information so that patients suffering from herpes and sore wounds can receive appropriate treatment. It is important to understand that there is no known cure for herpes. However, there are treatments that are effective in treating pain, as well as minimizing and even preventing the occurrence of outbreaks in general.
The connection of iron with herpes simplex virus
The European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in 1995 published a study on the relationship between ferritin levels (iron stores) and recurrent outbreaks of herpes. The study compared patients with a cold in patients without herpes. It was found that ferritin levels in patients with herpes are lower than ferritin levels in patients without.
The role of our genes in iron metabolism
The results of further medical research, published in the journal "Biochemistry and Cell Function" in 2010, showed that there is a genetic factor for herpes and herpes outbreaks. Again, iron is identified as playing a role. The study found genetic differences in protein haptoglobin, which is associated with iron metabolism. There are three types of haptoglobin. Two of these types lead to a decrease in the level of iron in the blood. If you have one of these two types of haptoglobin, you will be more prone to outbreaks of herpes. For people who suffer from the recurrence of herpes and herpes, this is groundbreaking news.
How iron can prevent herpes outbreaks in some people
Herpes simplex virus competes with our immune system (T cells and B cells) for iron. The enzyme ribonucleotide reductase, the essential component of which is iron, requires the herpes virus to cause an outbreak. Our immune system also needs iron to fight the virus, but it cannot bind iron as effectively as a virus. This means that when ferritin levels are low, a more effective herpes virus beats our immune system, infects cells and causes outbreaks.
Cold herpes and cold can be preceded by maintaining sufficient levels of ferritin. This can be done by consuming foods rich in iron and using supplements. Ferritin levels can be determined by a simple blood test. Make sure your ferritin is tested against hemoglobin. If your ferritin is very low, your doctor may prescribe tablets with a high dose of iron or even intravenous iron. High doses of iron should not be taken with prior consultation with your doctor.
If you suffer from recurring herpes or herpetic outbreaks caused by low levels of ferritin, it is very likely that you will improve your ferritin levels. If an outbreak does occur, iron intake will not relieve painful symptoms, but may speed recovery. DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) can also be used to relieve pain and speed up the recovery of herpes and herpes.
Recommendations:
"Cell biochemistry and function"; Metallic metabolism markers and haptoglobin phenotypes; Louise Gennaro, Ph.D. and others .; March 2010
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; The relationship between iron status and recurrent herpes labialis; Philip-John Lamy, DMD and Paul A. Biagioni, MDD; July 1995
(C) Brenda T. 2011
