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Some sexually-transmitted diseases remain in the infected person's body for the rest of his or her life; others may disappear over time. The herpes virus, for example, is forever, but can remain dormant so that one may never experience another outbreak after the first year. |
Herpes covers two types of virus, the one that causes cold sores on the mouth, and the one that can cause ulcers on the genital region; both can be spread through casual skin-to-skin contact, but the second one is more commonly spread through sexual contact. The AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) virus is generally thought to remain with the patient for life, but in some unusual cases the virus seems to disappear (most famously with basketball player Magic Johnson). Immune system health is crucial for AIDS patients since the virus compromises immunity to the point that rare fatal conditions can develop, or the patient may experience severe symptoms from common conditions (such as pneumonia) which can be fatal. The human papilloma virus (which causes genital warts) can remain in the body for years, and recurrences are common, but in some people the virus disappears on its own (doctors are not sure why this happens, but a healthy immune system seems to be one factor). Syphilis, gonorrhea and Chlamydia can be cured with a course of antibiotics, but in some people the first signs of infection are not apparent and unless they get tested, they will not know they are sick. After the initial infection, if left untreated, gonorrhea and syphilis can progress to more dangerous second and third stages. Some of the following treatments can help to restore general health and bolster natural immunities; but the only real way of knowing one is clear of an STD is to get tested for them by a doctor and follow the appropriate course of antibiotics. Since antibiotics are such a common form of treatment for STDs, the holistic treatments address the effects of these powerful drugs. Antibiotics are wonderfully effective but they tend to kill useful as well as harmful bacteria in the body, including intestinal flora. This means that after a course of antibiotics one's digestion is not up to par, and you may not be getting ample nutrition from your food. This in turn can lower immunity and make you susceptible to more illness! Antibiotics are used far too liberally in the United States; try to avoid them if at all possible. Overuse can lead to ineffectiveness, which is why so many antibiotics in use today are far stronger than they were a decade ago. The common cold or flu should never be treated with antibiotics; but if you get strep throat you will need to take them. Oral antibiotics also should not be used to treat vaginal yeast infections and in fact may cause them. But some vaginal infections do require antibiotics (such as trichomoniasis, garnderella and bacterial vaginosis). If you are prescribed a course of antibiotics for Chlamydia, you will want to take some acidophilus supplements, or eat natural plain yogurt with live cultures; this will restore the intestinal flora. Loss of these flora also depletes Vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting so you can take a 100 mcg daily supplement of that as well; or, eat alfalfa sprouts which are rich in Vitamin K. It is also important to avoid alcohol and excess sugar when taking antibiotics; both can interfere with their effectiveness. A healthy immune system is crucial to helping the body fight infection and regain vitality. For boosting your general immunity, you can't beat Vitamin C. Take at least 500 mg per day, or up to 1500. More than this can have a somewhat laxative effect, so increase your dosage slowly, but some naturopaths (holistic doctors) suggest taking up to 7500 mg daily when trying to rebuild natural immunity. You can also get this important vitamin in citrus fruits, green vegetables, berries and melons. Vitamin C boost immunity and is an antiviral agent. Getting your nutrients (including vitamins and minerals, amino acids, protein and carbohydrates, fats and lipids, and fiber) from your food is the best bet, but it can be hard to eat enough to get all you need. Always eat organic fresh food whenever possible and avoid too much alcohol, sugar or hydrogenated oils, all of which can weaken immunity and sabotage the absorption of nutrients. One nutrient that is crucial for the health of the reproductive organs is zinc. Take only 100 mg per day, no more. It is easy to find supplements which combine calcium, magnesium and zinc, and this is better than taking a multivitamin. Calcium is important for bones and teeth (especially in women who experience bone density loss as they age) and is very effective in helping you stay healthy when you are under stress (and there is nothing like stress to trigger a herpes outbreak!), and magnesium is also a crucial mineral for healing tissues. Zinc promotes faster healing of lesions and wounds, and can bolster immune system defenses to fight many microbial invaders. Garlic is considered an extremely important food because it stimulates the immune system and is a natural antibiotic. If you do not like the taste of garlic in food you can get odorless capsules at any health food store. Another natural antibiotic is colloidal silver which can be applied topically or taken internally. Some people use this just as others use oral antibiotics and with similar curative effects but no unpleasant side effects. Colloidal silver also reduces inflammation and helps heal lesions. There are also herbs which can help with strengthening the immune system, namely Echinacea, goldenseal and pau d'arco. Hops is good for pain or stress, while ginger and chamomile are good for the digestive tract. It is a good idea to consult a naturopath or herbalist before using herbs but there are many books on the subject and most herbal teas are gentle enough in action so as to avoid any dangerous side effects. Aromatherapy is also an effective tool in boosting immunity and fighting infection. Essential oils of plants are used in their most concentrated form, either on the skin or as inhalants. In particular, tea tree, lavender, naiouli and lemon essential oils are all powerful antimicrobials. The citrus oils can be very good for battling stress, and rose and neroli are healing to the skin. There are also some essential oils specifically indicated for use by men or women, both for healing and for relaxation and aphrodisiac qualities. Again, consult an aromatherapist or the many books and websites available before using essential oils. Various physical practices are recommended for alleviating stress and promoting cellular repair and healthy organ function, including yoga, tai chi, Pilates, and Qi Gong. Most of these utilize deep breathing and cellular repair begins at this level, where oxygen circulating in the lungs moves freely through the body and stimulates healing in the organs and skin. Regular exercise and adequate rest are equally important. Having a chronic STD can seem like a painful burden. Many times it is helpful to talk to a friend or counseling professional to sort out your feelings. Sexually-transmitted diseases are sometimes treated with disdain, humor or disgust in our culture, but they are very common and it is important to be able to talk freely and openly about them. The holistic healing methods mentioned in this article can be part of an integrated approach to taking charge of your health and remaining healthy and sexually active.
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