As per new research scientists may have discovered why cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) are triggered by stress, illness and sunburn.
More than half of Americans are infected with herpes simplex virus. It is spread through close contact with someone who has the infection and can re-emerge at any time.
In modern medicine current therapies against HSV act to prevent the virus from replicating once it comes out of hiding. No therapies yet can target the infection in its latent stage.
As per the clinical understanding the Herpes simplex virus hides in nerve cells for life, so once you have herpes simplex you always have it. Sometimes, it comes out of hiding, and this can cause clinical disease, like cold sores, eye disease and genital lesions.
But scientists didn't fully understand what may act on the infected nerve cells and cause the virus to come out of hiding.
In a study, it was found that if the neurons become more prone to fire impulses, then the virus can come out of hiding. Neurons are cells that transmit information to other nervous system cells.
A chemical called interleukin 1 is released into the body when people become stressed or have a fever. It is also found in skin cells and can be released when they are exposed to ultraviolet light, including the sun. All of these can reactivate the herpes virus and trigger cold sores.
Scientists have also linked reactivation to the activation of a protein inside neurons called DLK.
Its activation is required for HSV to reactivate in response to interleukin 1, along with other triggers like damage to nerve cells. That makes DLK a good target to prevent HSV.
Repeated reactivation of HSV can also affect the eyes. In the eye, the virus leads to herpes keratitis, can result in blindness if left untreated. HSV infection has also been linked to Alzheimer's disease progression.
The virus actually preys upon our body's natural immune response to stress.
The chemicals, the body releases in response to stress is the same one that may result in re-expression of HSV.
The way to prevent flare-ups is to reduce stress and follow a healthy lifestyle.
A healthy diet, adequate sleep, reducing anxiety and improving mental health are ways to not only reduce stress but also prevent recurrence of the disease.
How does Homeopathy help in Herpes infection ?
Homeopathic remedies are effective against the herpes virus infection. It acts on immune system and prevents release of such harmful chemicals responsible for recurrent episodes of herpes infection. Remedies like Arsenic Album and Rhus Toxicodendron are beneficial against the herpes infection.
