I have had outbreaks on my buttocks on and off for years, but I thought it was because of allergies.  It seemed every time I ate peanut butter, excessive caffeine or chocolate, I had an outbreak.  I was recently diagnosed with Herpes and was put on Valtrex.  I did some research and discovered the foods that aggravated the virus..Nor surprise there!! It was peanut butter, chocolate and caffeine. I recently read that excessive exercise and sunlight can aggravate the virus as well.

I am just starting a new relationship,  how do/did any  of  you tell your partner that  yu had herpes?  I am absolutely devastated!!!

Go vegan!  I have learned first-hand and from much study that when you have a major, chronic health problem - like Herpes, half-way attempts to cure or control it with diet are ineffective.  If one has a healthy immune system, one can get away with eating the animal-based Standard American Diet (SAD) and experience no major health problems - at least, not for 30 to 50 years.  At some point, the body starts to break down and signs of cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases appear.  Most Americans also develop metabolic syndrome or full-blown diabetes from all the refined foods they usually eat.  It is a well-known fact that chronic disease and a need for daily meds is the legacy of eating the SAD way. So, at least reconsider your lifestyle!  If I could cure ulcerative colitis (and other health issues) with a vegan diet and exercise and avoid taking steroids the rest of my life, and if diabetes and heart disease and many cancers can be reversed or cured with the same, why wouldn't it help with Herpes - if done right?

Diet and exercise and stress-management are the three keys to good health.  Changing to a HEALTHY vegan diet, one very high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seeds and nuts, has reversed and even cured the so-called "incurable" disease of diabetes, as well as cardiovascular disease and many other degenerative diseases and cancers.  But, unless one goes all the way and makes a drastic change in diet, it does not work.  It takes a strong immune system to prevent Herpes from breaking out - and only a diet high in fruit, veggies, WHOLE grains, seeds, legumes and nuts can build the immune system; whereas, the SAD tears it down! 

Also, studies published in The Lancet and Virology science journals indicate outbreaks are related to eating a high ratio of lysine to arginine, which is found in all animal-based foods.  Check out a chart of these foods at http://www.herpes.com/Nutrition.shtml.  While a few plant-based foods are in the high end of that ratio, they are always relatively low in arginine and so are considered "safe" to eat for those with Herpes. Thus, a vegan diet not only gives the body large amounts of the nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy, it also contains none of the crap that is related to Herpes.

My body totally cured itself of ulcerative colitis 18 years ago by going vegan, juicing daily and power-walking 3 to 4 miles a day.  Years later, after I went back to meat and dairy for a few years, I developed a suspicious mass on my breast wall that had to be watched closely with MRI's and ultra-sounds for about 3 years.  To everyone's surprise but mine, it disappeared on its own - along with two bothersome cysts on my arm - within a year of switching back to a healthy-version of a vegan diet that included fresh carrot juice every day. That time, no exercise added.  I took meds for the UC for just two months, only until the bleeding seemed under control.  During my breast cancer scare, I also developed high blood pressure.  I immediately cut out meat and refined carbs, bring it back to under 110/80 in just a few weeks.  The cysts and breast mass, however, required my dropping dairy to cure them.  (Read Dr. Dean Ornish's book, The Spectrum, to learn more about making wise dietary choices for your own issues.)

Just please don't expect miracles from a half-way nutritional change and then discount diet as an effective alternative to daily meds to suppress Herpes!  Those daily meds may be easy to take, but they all have bad side effects long-term - and they do not cure or even totally prevent future outbreaks.  Bill Clinton looked into diet last year because one of his stents was 90% blocked just a few years after surgery.  He is now vegan! (Check it out on YouTube.)  Those who avoid eating animal products long enough and who give their body the right nutrition otherwise all learn this is simply best for the body.  It was God's original diet for our body for a good reason.  So, I hope you will commit to it.  Not only am I disease-free and taking no meds at Age 60, I also look and feel 20 years younger!  It is a big transition, but do your best and you will succeed at it in time.  Believe me, being truly healthy when young and as you age is worth the effort!