Lately, I have unfortunately been getting calls from parents telling me that their very young children are showing signs of very painful, nasty symptoms of genital herpes. This unbelievably piece of bad news conjure up a scenario of a toddler in diapers, not yet potty-trained,with a weeping, extremely itchy, and painful bottom.

This only means that instead of being contained, the herpes virus, is actually proliferating and has become as common as the viruses that cause the flu and the common cold. This herpes virus which can include the HSV, HSV1 and HSV2, is deemed to be the most common, if not, one of the most common viral infections affecting children. Although it’s sad and hard to deal with, the herpes virus can be treated. The following are some facts about the virus:

1. The herpes virus is a highly contagious germ that not only can be spread during birth but in any situation and place where living quarters are commonly shared by people. This can include even day care centers.

2. Besides the genital region, the herpes virus can also affect the skin, eyes, the mouth, and even the brain.

3. A proper diagnosis is the most important way of dealing with this condition.

4. Although the HSV2 or Type 2 herpes is the virus generally associated with genital herpes, a third of the people infected with the HSV1 virus also suffer from an infection in the genitals.

In conventional Western allopathic medicine, children suffering from herpes simplex medication are treated with oral medications. In Western medicine, when you’re infected with the herpes virus, it cannot be cured. This virus clings to you for life and can be triggered causing outbreaks.

Drugs that relieve herpes symptoms include Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, and Famciclovir.

The Zovirax ointment (active ingredient Acyclovir) which is topically applied on the affected skin areas has proven ineffective against the virus. For this reason, I do not recommend using this drug.

Unfortunately, to lessen the severity of the symptoms and to reduce the frequency of outbreaks, these drugs need be taken over a long period of time; they only suppress the symptoms and are not designed to cure the disease.

Then one has to deal with the various side effects of these drugs that can include severe gastrointestinal problems, rashes, fatigue, joint pain, headaches,, body aches, and flu-like symptoms.

If you don’t want to deal with these drug related issuesfor the treatment of herpes, you can try an alternative approach: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Practitioners of TCM consider herpes as springing from an imbalance and a pattern of disharmony known as damp-heat in the Gallbladder and Liver energy channels. From another TCM perspective, herpes is excess heat damaging the Yin (the female aspect). The main outbreak is associated with Gallbladder and Liver damp heat is another way of looking at it.

Most acupuncturists and TCM practitioners who have dealt with childhood herpes already know what an outbreak in a child looks like. Before they begin treatment, these healers will usually start by examining the patient’s tongue.The tongue of an infected person is usually reddish with a thick yellow fur. Then they will palpate the pulse, which can feel slippery and quite rapid. The aim of TCM treatment is to clear out damp heat and calmdown the fire. This is usually accomplished by way of acupuncture, topical remedies, and herbs.

In the realm of prevention, TCM has formulas that can lessen the magnitude and regularity of the symptoms. I often ask parents, “Is your child irritable, hot, and thirsty?” Then I observe the soles of the child’s feet and hands. Does the child suffer from night sweats? Is he/she feverish and tired? Is it almost impossible to potty-train the child?

I usually recommend changing the diet and lifestyle of the patient. All the above mentioned remedies almost always lead to a long-term stoppage of the outbreaks and when I say long-term, I mean several years or even decades of being symptom-free. Yes, we can help, but it will take some dedication and time on both us and the parent.

Emily Farish is a licensed acupuncturist in Spokane, WA and the founder of Emily Farish Acupuncture.