Herbs and SupplementsGenerally, manufacturers of herbal remedies and dietary supplements do not need FDA approval to sell their products. Just like a drug, herbs and supplements can affect the body's chemistry, and therefore have the potential to produce side effects that may be harmful. There have been several reported cases of serious and even lethal side effects from herbal products. Always check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies or dietary supplements. The following are special concerns for people taking natural remedies for herpes simplex:
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Preventing Transmission
Infected people should take several steps to avoid transmitting the virus to others. It is almost impossible to defend against the transmission of oral HSV-1 since it can be transmitted by very casual contact.
Preventing Transmission During an Outbreak. When an outbreak of herpes occurs the following precautions are useful:
- Persons carrying any herpes virus should carefully wash their hands and nails after contact with the infected area so as not to transmit the virus to other sites on the body.
- Although transmission from objects such as toilet seats and towels is unlikely, keeping personal items separate during an active infection may help to reduce transmission to other household members. The virus can live for up to 2 hours on cloth and for 4 hours on plastic.
- If genital lesions are present, infected persons should abstain from sexual intercourse.
Preventing Sexually Transmitted Disease. Any infected man or a partner of an infected woman should wear a condom during any sexual activity, even when symptoms are not present. Condoms are also important during oral sex, as an increasing number of new genital herpes cases are due to HSV-1, particularly among younger people.
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