Lysine is the best for most herpes outbreaks. What works to keep them from happening depends on how your immune system works. Many people get herpes outbreaks from STRESS. For those of you who are talking about peroxide, peroxide is for bacterial problems rather than viral ones. Your immune system makes a form of it to kill bacteria. It isn't useless, because it can get rid of bacteria that can make a sore heal slower. But it isn't for viral problems, and herpes is viral. Also make sure what you have is herpes. This can be done with a blood test these days. There are a lot of interesting things that can make sores, like Pseudomonas, that can be hard to get rid of and spread like crazy to others. I have never tried toothpaste. I rarely have outbreaks. I have read that there are products that help manage diseases even though they aren't antibiotics or antivirals. I believe the article first appeared in Nature years ago. So the toothpaste thing might not be so far fetched. Also brushing your teeth helps get rid of flu virus so it may help with herpes the same way. You can use grapefruit seed extract (8-15 drops in a juice glass of water or juice) to help get rid of the infection or try any number of things. Lysine is the best, though.

Some fireplaces are deserving of being called a monstrosity. Our old one certainly was. Bellsmom on the kitchen forum enhanced the monster so you can see it better: I begrudged it taking nearly 4' of depth for most of the width of the room to support its tiny firebox. We considered putting the TV over the fireplace in the remodel, but we wanted wood burning and the low emissions fireplaces are all quite tall. Also, I didn't feel it would be comfortable for me that high and the hood might block some of the viewing area from the kitchen. Post remodel we have a tamed fireplace, definitely not a monstrosity: The new fireplace takes just a small bit at one side of the wall leaving the center to our - horror of horrors! - 60" flat screen TV. We like the size because it makes it easier to read the screen when using it as an internet browser. The large size is also very nice when viewing from the kitchen which is over 20' from the screen: The new fireplace is an EPA Phase II wood burning fireplace. It runs efficiently and produces minimal particulates. Convection air flow around the firebox heats the room nicely and the intake air control allows control of how quickly the fuel burns. We live in an area with cool winters - enough that the additional warmth in the evening is nice since we usually keep our thermostats low. It heats the family room and kitchen nicely and the room is still comfy in the morning. Because it is EPA phase II, it's legal to use on most "No Burn" days. So far we haven't had to buy wood. Our yard and tree trimmers of neighbor's trees have supplied enough.

I don't post here often but have been on GardenWeb for a few years. I was talking with my sister about shingles - she is deep into non-traditional remedies. She says that high doses of Vitamin C, preferable injected into the bloodstream, will cure shingles. However, it is difficult to get a mainstream doctor to do it or have the product available. Another way to go about it is to take the Vitamin C orally. Here is a link that might be useful: Vitamin C for shingles

I'm thinking RA is more likely, though. I woke up with pain in my wrists this morning, and I learned that the weird taste I've had in my mouth on and off for weeks could be an RA symptom, too I never had any taste symptoms, only bouts of extreme pain and stiffness, accompanied by severe swelling. The swelling comes from the immune system attacking the joint. Never chills with a flare. RA flares are so painful, it overwhelms. My first flares were in the shoulder....family Dr said it was probably Bursitis. This went on for years. When I finally got a DR to order a test for RF, it came back at 2300. Any idiot can diagnose that one, and I finally got treatment. I had a bad flare while out of town...wrist swelled up so bad, ER first thought it was broken. In fact, had a flare a couple of months ago, and even though I said it was a flare...insisted on an Xray. Only thing that can calm a bad flare for me is a shot of Demerol, and these days they are years apart. Now, with RA, morning joint stiffness is normal. When I get up in the morning, I have to pull myself on my feet by holding onto bureau, and the first few steps are excruciating. And my RA is under control :)