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.⁸ People with liver or kidney disease should not take lysine.

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Author:	Sabra L. Katz-Wise Ralph Poore	Last Updated: January 18, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
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