New Treatments for Cold Sores
If you suffer from cold sores, you are not alone. However, cold sores are not related to the common cold. They are caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1. As many as 45 of every 100 Americans have had cold sores related to the HSV-1 virus.
HSV-1 is transmitted by skin or saliva. Most people are infected for the first time as children. They get a fever, sore gums, a sore throat and swollen glands in the neck. After the first infection, the virus "hides" (is dormant) in the nerves near the skin. In some people, the virus never returns (or "reactivates"). Other people have recurrences. These are called secondary or recurrent herpes episodes. These episodes produce cold sores.
Doctors don't know why the virus "turns on" and produces cold sores. They do know that stress can lead to a cold sore outbreak. This includes mental and emotional stress, as well as dental treatment, illness, trauma to the lips, or sun exposure.
There is no cure for cold sores. Some medicines can help cold sores heal faster. They may also relieve pain and discomfort. The medicines are valacyclovir (Valtrex), famciclovir (Famvir) and acyclovir (Zovirax). These drugs cannot get rid of the virus. You may need to take one of these drugs each time you have cold sores.
It is important to begin taking this type of medicine as soon as you feel the cold sore developing. These drugs also can stop cold sores from popping up in the first place. Some people take them when they know they will be under stress.
There also are antiviral creams and ointments, such as penciclovir (Denavir). These can make cold sores smaller, and make them disappear faster. It's best to start using a cream or ointment as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on.
Cold sores and canker sores are not the same. Cold sores usually occur outside the mouth, on the lips. Canker sores occur only inside the mouth and are not caused by a virus. The medicines used for cold sores will not help canker sores.
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