Genital Herpes

Other Treatment

Some people find complementary medicine helpful in reducing recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes. Results from one small study show that the amino acid lysine may reduce the number of outbreaks and promote healing for some people. A dose of 1,000 mg 4 times a day (up to 4,000 mg a day) at the beginning of herpes symptoms is recommended and has been shown to be safe and free of side effects.⁶ People with liver or kidney disease should not take lysine.

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Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN	Last Updated: January 13, 2009
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
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