Adding Lysine to the diet can be very effective. We got a powder from the natural food store, can be mixed into anything. I read a powerful article about a woman who couldn't afford the Dr's presciption so he wrote the word Lysine down and slid it to her, her didn't even want to say it for fear of other dr's hearing. Shortly after that my daughter's naturopath put her on Lysine for a condition similar to shingles. Also we were told to avoid nuts, and sunflower seeds because they contain something that the lysine is balancing. Sending prayers too!