subject: Condom Use For Herpes [print this page] The best genital herpes cure is preventionThe best genital herpes cure is prevention. A wide variety of barrier contraceptives are currently available, with the latex condom most frequently advocated for use in prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are now available as both female and male versions, and may be coated with lubricant, spermicide or antiinfective agent.
The latex condom provides a mechanical barrier to infectious agents. The efficacy of the barrier in preventing STIs depends on the permeability of the latex. In their function as a contraceptive, condoms would have to be impermeable to spermatozoa, which are approximately 3000 nm in size. HSV-2 is considerably smaller than spermatozoa, at about 160 nm, and HIV is smaller still at 125 nm.
Electron microscopy of male condoms shows an absence of full-thickness pores, but occasional pits secondary to imperfections in manufacturing. Permeability depends not just on the size of any pores in the latex barrier, but also variables such as the shape of the infectious agent, surface tension, temperature, pressure and pH of the environment.
Sophisticated in vitro models have been developed to determine the permeability of latex condoms to infectious agents. These models typically instil an infectious agent into the condom, which is suspended in culture medium, agitate the condom, and then process the culture medium to identify infectious agents that have crossed the latex barrier.
Two studies have demonstrated that no HSV-2 is recoverable by viral culture in media protected from the virus by a latex condom barrier. Three studies have demonstrated that HSV-2 was uniformly killed by chemical barriers to contraception and infection, including copper cream and nonoxynol-9, that often coat condoms.
Studies have found that the integrity of condoms distributed in the USA and Europe is sound, a result of strict quality control and infrequently found manufacturing defects. While laboratory studies of the latex condom may indicate that it is efficacious in preventing HSV-2 transmission, several variables are introduced when the condom is used in the real world.
Men shed HSV-2 from penile epithelial cells, which are nearly completely covered by the proper application of a latex condom, and therefore may protect sexual partners from disease acquisition. Women, on the other hand, shed HSV from a greater mucosal area in the genital region, which may afford more opportunities to transmit the virus to partners, despite the correct use of condoms.
Condom failure may result from the incorrect use of condoms (inconsistent use, failure to completely unroll condom, opening packaging with sharp objects, using non-compatible lubricants), excessive stress on the condom (traumatic sexual behaviour, large penile size, storage in excessive heat) or slippage of the condom from the penis during sexual activity.
Preventing the acquisition of genital herpes remains the best strategy for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this chronic infection. While antiviral medications and vaccines may eventually prove effective in preventing HSV transmission, no current therapy has been shown to be reliably protective.
Altering sexual behaviours represents a cost-effective and safe measure that may significantly reduce new infections. Consistent and correct use of latex condoms appears to protect women from HSV-2 infection, and should be emphasized in pregnant women at risk of HSV-2 to prevent neonatal herpes.
However, there are herpes cures against the frequency and severity of outbreaks. Acyclovir is the most popular prescribed cure for herpes viral dispersion. However, the emergence of aciclovir-resistant virus strains has created the need for the development of new effective antiviral agents. And once again, the genital herpes cure is proving to be more difficult.
New anti-herpetic chemical drug compounds have been identified as possible cures for herpes, but they have significant adverse effects when consumed and HSV has again has developed drug resistance to these new compounds. As new chemical drug options are not viable, alternative antiviral herpes cures are being investigated with great interest.
Recent scientific studies of medicinal antiviral plant extracts show very encouraging results for a herpes cure, and have sparked a new methodology for treating herpes. HSVCurative is a potent all natural antiviral cure for herpes, highly effective against HSV1 and HSV2, it has a wide spectrum of antiviral activity against these viruses, even for genital herpes.
The cure in this treatment has the ability to inactivate and destroy HSV, which has been established in published clinical trials. It is to be applied directly to an outbreak. The antiviral extracts represent new effective treatment options for therapeutic use as virucidal agents for recurring herpes infections. To learn more, please go to http://www.bcured.net.
