“95% of Brazil is infected with herpes but only 10% develop the disease” –

Compared to a type of “skin flu” for the ease with which it attacks its victims, herpes causes painful lesions, leaves an appearance that can cause embarrassment and even interferes with kissing.

The virus behaves differently from the others. Normally, when one of these unwanted microorganisms invades the body, the immune system immediately kicks in to wipe it out. But herpes, hard in the fall, is never destroyed. It stays latent, inside the body.

Sometimes it manifests itself. Others, no. It all depends on each person’s defense system.

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Anxiety can trigger an instant flare-up

What do the 10% “contemplated” with the disease have in common? Apparently, nothing, but dermatologist Denise Steiner, from Clínica Stockli, in São Paulo, ventures a guess: “The factors that influence the action of the virus are not explained, there is no emotional pattern directly related to the occurrence, but clinical practice demonstrates that people more tense, anxious and perfectionists are more vulnerable”, he says.

“Clinical practice shows that people who are more tense, anxious and perfectionists are more vulnerable”

The São Paulo gynecologist José Antonio Marques illustrates the fact: “The most impressive case of herpes I have ever seen occurred with a patient of mine who was adrift in a small boat on the high seas, in a state of absolute panic, for almost three hours. When she was finally rescued, she had developed an acute and very serious illness, ”he recalls.

the first sign

A little scratch sets off the alarm! Afterwards, the place heats up and bubbles form. At this stage, there is already a risk of contagion: avoid touching the lesion directly, washing your hands whenever there is contact. In a more advanced stage, the bubbles burst and cause a lot of pain! There are two villains: type 1, which focuses on the mouth, and type 2, which appears on the genitals.

The manifestation of the virus lasts 10 days

There is no risk of type 1 attacking vaginal mucous membranes and vice versa. But kisses and sexual intercourse, according to herpes, are prohibited as soon as the blisters form.

The good thing is that abstention doesn’t last long: up to 10 days on average. With or without medication, after this period, the virus ends its cycle and returns to lodge itself in the nerve endings until a new event triggers the crisis and returns it to the crime scene.

find the culprit

With the injury installed, there isn’t much else to do, except choosing which medications to use to alleviate the discomfort. The time is good to do a retrospective, go back to memory until two, three days before the blisters appeared and try to identify in that period which agent triggered the disease.

The proposal is from the psychiatrist and homeopath Marcio Molinari, from São Paulo: “This research exercise is essential to prevent further attacks of the virus. If you can relate a behavior or fact to the outbreak of herpes, whether it’s a concern about money or the loss of a boyfriend, or stress at work, for example, you can avoid or postpone future crises, “he explains. “Just be careful”.

In the summer, does the virus attack?

“The greater exposure to the sun is a facilitator, it favors a large occurrence of cases”, believes Silvio Boraks. Anthroposophical doctor José Roberto Kater has another opinion: “Viruses prefer the cold, bacteria are the ones that propagate more in the heat”. He credits the well-known belief that the incidence of herpes increases in the summer to the fact that people are more exposed, leaving lesions in evidence.

Dermatologist Denise Steiner makes a conciliatory argument: “The sun lowers the skin’s resistance, which is why the season is associated with the appearance of the herpes viral outbreak. The virus, dormant, manifests itself because local immunity drops, ”she says.

While the miraculous remedy does not come, the way is to neutralize the enemy’s action with preventive measures (see the sidebar). If the disease has already set in, generous doses of patience are the most appropriate prescription. The important thing is to believe that you can tame this bad virus and prevent it from showing up again.

Cut the evil at the root

Prevention is everything. You just need to adopt some definitive habits and behaviors, such as those proposed by dermatologist Maura Bressan, from the Dermaweb website, and by anthroposophic doctor José Roberto Kater.

Sunbathe in moderation. Use sunscreen suitable for your skin type, exposing yourself only at safe times (from 7 am to 10 am and after 4 pm). Keep the skin well hydrated, especially where injuries tend to occur. Consume foods rich in vitamins A, E and C. Kater emphasizes the routine need for a vitamin supplement, which guarantees the recommended daily intake (one tablet is enough) of vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids and metals. Take care of the head. Don’t make a storm in a teapot. Avoid feeding depressive or anxious feelings. The practice of physical exercises is proven to help keep the mind healthy. Do not neglect leisure. Resting, teach the Indians, is the best therapy for the body to find healing paths on its own.