Spirulina Extract Against Herpes Virus

Herpes

Cold sores not only disfigure. It is accompanied by an itchy rash and pain around the mouth, which are the first symptoms of cold sores caused by the HSV1 virus. You can get infected with it, although it usually attacks a weakened body. Herpes itself is not dangerous, but the complications caused by it - it is, which is why herpes must be treated and prevent its recurrence.

Cold sores are a recurring problem for many people, because almost all of us are carriers of the herpes virus. It is estimated that almost 70% of people in the UK are infected*, but only half of them get sick. It is not entirely clear why this is happening. The role of reduced immunity is raised either locally (topically), e.g. as a result of exposure to UV radiation or general immunity (e.g. as a result of cold disease) in triggering an attack of herpes.

There are two types of HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) viruses:

Type 1 (HSV-1) usually causes sores in and around the mouth and lips (known as ‘cold sores’). However, it can spread to another part of the body during a sexual encounter.

Type 2 (HSV-2) usually causes sores in and around the genitals or anus, but it can spread to another part of the body during a sexual encounter. HSV-1 is very uncommon in genital herpes infections.


* Exact epidemiological data are not available.

Epidemiology

The incidence of infection and carriage of the HSV1 herpes virus varies greatly. In European countries, it ranges from the lowest in Finland – 52.4%, in Belgium – 67.4%, in the Czech Republic – 80.6%, in Bulgaria as much as 83.9% and in Turkey even – 97%.

The carrier state frequency of HSV2 also varies. From 4.2% in UK to almost 24% in Bulgaria and as much as 42% in Turkey. It is estimated that in Poland about 15% of the population are carriers of the HSV2 virus. Women are more often carriers.

Symptoms of herpes occur in about 20% of infected people. Their disclosure is affected by a decrease in local immunity, e.g. as a result of intense exposure to UV rays, or a decrease in the body's general immunity, e.g. as a result of severe hypothermia, in the course of other diseases, after treatment with antibiotics, after chemo- or radiotherapy.

In people infected with a virus that is "dormant", reduced body immunity significantly increases the risk of herpes incidents, and better body immunity may be manifested, among others, by: reducing the recurrence of herpes labialis (HSV1 virus) and has a beneficial effect in cases of genital herpes (HSV2 virus). Therefore, it is worth taking immuno-supplements containing spirulina extract to effectively strengthen your immunity.

Treatment

Antiviral drugs (acyclovir, valacyclovir) administered systemically reduce the severity of symptoms of primary and recurrent infection, but do not eliminate the latent virus and do not reduce the risk of infecting other people or the frequency and severity of relapses after cessation of treatment.

The method of treatment and procedure depends on the clinical situation. In the case of cold sores or the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, we distinguish:
1) Primary infection – in case of high dynamics and high intensity of lesions or in people with reduced immunity of any kind → acyclovir in tablets, 200 mg taken every 4 - 5 hours (5 times a day) for 3 - 5 days or valacyclovir 2 tablets of 500 mg twice a day (every 12 hours) for 3 – 5 days.
2) Recurent infection (periodic treatment of severe relapses) → it is best to start when prodromal symptoms appear, at the latest on the day of appearance of eruptions; acyclovir tablets, 200 mg every 4-5 hours (5 times a day) for 3-5 days or valacyclovir 2 tablets. 500 mg every 12 hours (2x daily) for 1 day or 500 mg every 12 hours for 3 days; In milder cold sores, acyclovir cream is also effective (5 times a day).

In the case of persistent and/or severe recurrent herpes, it is important to check the efficiency of the immune system and support it appropriately. Immuno-supplements may play a role here. It is also important to check whether there is any situation that results in reduced immunity and take action to eliminate it.

Genital Herpes

It is a condition that is still an embarrassing problem for most people infected with it. This disease is the most commonly diagnosed STD and is usually caused by the herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2). However, in almost half of cases it is caused by the herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is responsible for the appearance of cold sores on the lips. The HSV-2 virus is exclusively responsible for the appearance of genital herpes. Genital herpes does not cause any symptoms in many people and is passed on to a partner during sexual intercourse. Possible symptoms are very easy to recognize by a doctor, they may include pain and skin changes in the form of blisters located in the genital area and perineum (in both women and men). Sometimes herpes affects the anus and buttocks area. It happens that some patients experience frequent recurrence of herpes symptoms, but they are less bothersome than the first time. People who suffer from genital herpes regularly should take antiviral medications on a regular basis.

Read more: → genital herpes

Clinical Evaluation


Lars Lindmark1 i Michelle Schørring-Thyssen2

Spirulina extract in recurent cold sore

1Kasima Medical Development AB Treleborg, Sweden
2School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Background

Cold sores around the mouth, combined with painful eruptions, are a very common problem caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is believed that the weakening of the immune system, e.g. as a result of a severe cold, stress, exposure to UV rays or fever, play an important role in the reactivation of the virus and the recurrence of herpetic eruptions. A good treatment for relapses has not been found so far.
The usefulness of taking spirulina extract by people with persistent and recurrent (up to dozen or so a year) herpes was assessed. The use of the preparation dramatically reduces the incidence of herpes labialis incidents, and when herpes has occurred, the use of spirulina extract soothes and shortens its course. Spirulina extract was well tolerated by all subjects.

Herpes around the mouth, combined with painful eruptions, is a very common problem caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). It is believed that weakening the immune system, e.g. as a result of a severe cold, stress, exposure to UV rays and/or fever play an important role in the reactivation of the virus and the recurrence of herpes eruptions. A good treatment has not yet been found. Popular antiviral drugs do not prevent the occurrence of herpes because they are used once herpes has already occurred.

The preparation containing the immunoactive Spirulina platensis extract with proven properties stimulating and modulating the immune system was evaluated. Some available data suggest that spirulina extract (from the microalgae Arthrospira platensis) may be a valuable supplement to help with recurrent cold sores.

Aim of study

A clinical study was conducted to determine the usefulness and effectiveness of oral administration of a preparation containing immunoactive spirulina extract for the prevention and treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (HSV-1).

Subjects and methods

The study was placebo-controlled and double-blind. The critical inclusion criterion for the study was 6 or more episodes of herpes labialis in the last 12 months. One group received spirulina extract in capsules (at a dose of 400 mg daily) for 24 weeks. The control group received a placebo in the form of identical capsules containing microcrystalline cellulose. The trial was conducted as a consumer study and study participants kept diaries recording all symptoms every day. The study involved 148 people, of whom 84 people (22 men and 62 women) received an active preparation containing spirulina extract and 64 people (18 men and 46 women) who received a placebo.

Results

The group that received a preparation containing spirulina extract (Immulina) had on average 40% fewer herpes incidents compared to the placebo group during the study period. In the group receiving Immulina, the number of subjects completely free from herpes symptoms was 34/84 (40%) as compared to 3/64 (5%) in the placebo group (p≤0.002). During the last 12 weeks of the study, no herpes recurrence was observed in 51/84 (61%) compared to 16/64 (25%) in the placebo group.

Statistical analysis (Fisher-Snedecor test) showed significance at p≤0.002. No side effects have been found during the examination. A tendency for men to react slightly better than women to the preparation containing spirulina extract was found.

Conclusions

  • The use of a preparation containing spirulina extract substantially (highly statistically significant) reduces the incidence of cold sore (herpes labialis  HSV 1) outbreaks.
  • Preparation containing spirulina extract soothes and shortens the course of the cold sore.
  • The preparation containing spirulina extract was well tolerated by all subjects. During the observation, nor side effects or adverse effects were observed.


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