Medications
Medicine can relieve symptoms and shorten the length of the outbreaks, but medicine cannot cure the infection. There are antiviral drugs available which have some effect in lessening the symptoms and decreasing the length of herpes outbreaks. These antiviral drugs are most effective when taken as early in the infection process as possible. Antiviral medicines reduce the time it takes for genital herpes sores to heal and helps prevent some outbreaks. Antiviral medicines have the added benefit of reducing the possibility that people can transmit HSV to their sex partner(s).
The decision to take antiviral medicines for recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes depends on how long the outbreaks last, how severe they are, and how often they return. People who do not have frequent or severe outbreaks may not want to take medicine on a regular basis.
You can take:
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Ibuprofen may be taken if necessary to reduce pain and fever.
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Cold sores may indicate a deficiency in calcium. One sign of a calcium deficiency is biting your nails. Take a calcium supplement and see if the problem improves.
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Some people take these medicines when they first notice the prodromal symptoms (tingling and pain) of a recurrent outbreak. Medicines used only for 2 or 3 days must be used at higher doses than when taken every day to be effective. Antiviral medicine can reduce the time it takes for the sores to heal by 2 days.
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Other antiviral medicines may also reduce transmission.
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Antiviral medicines for genital herpes work best when they are taken as soon as symptoms are noticed. For that reason, people with herpes should keep a supply of the medicine on hand.
Oral herpes can be painful and embarrassing but it is not a serious infection. There is no cure for oral herpes but outbreaks usually occur less frequently after 35. Alternative medicines can reduce the pain, prevent outbreaks, and shorten the course of cold sores. The spread of herpes virus to the eyes is very serious. Herpes virus can infect the cells in the cornea and cause scarring which may impair vision.
People with impaired immune systems may be more likely to:
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Need daily antiviral medicine to prevent recurrent outbreaks.
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Develop a resistance to some antiviral medicines. Other antiviral are available in these cases, although they must be given through a vein (intravenously, or IV) and can have dangerous side effects.
Sometimes, home remedies aren’t enough and the cold sore sufferer knows that this particular cold sore is going to be a bad one. Cold sore sufferers don’t have to give up hope and learn to live with their embarrassing condition. Working hard at prevention and knowing when to reach for both home remedies and medications will greatly minimize outbreaks and duration, making cold sores a thing of the past
After applying any medication or treatment to a cold sore you should always wash your hands, to avoid spreading the herpes virus
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