Herpes Simplex - Treatment and Symptoms

Herpes simplex os a common virus and is caused by the herpes simplex virus In the United States, one out of five of the total adolescent and adult population are infected with herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses (HSV). HSV type 2 is the one that most commonly causes genital herpes. You can get HSV type 2 during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. The infection causes painful sores on the genitals in both men and women. HSV type 1 is the herpes virus that is usually responsible for cold sores of the mouth, the so-called "fever blisters." A person can get HSV-1 by coming into contact with the saliva of an infected person.

Treatment of Herpes Simplex

Topical aciclovir or penciclovir, in the form of a cream applied to affected areas, shortens attacks of recurrent herpes simplex provided it is started early enough. Cold sores from HSV1 usually go away on their own within 7 to 10 days. Although no medications can make the infection go away, prescription drugs and creams are available that can shorten the length of the outbreak and make the cold sores less painful. Antiviral drugs will stop the herpes simplex virus multiplying once it reaches the skin or mucous membranes but cannot eradicate the virus from its resting stage within the nerve cells.

If your child has a cold sore, it's important to call your child's doctor if:

• your child has another health condition that has weakened the immune system
• the sores don't heal by themselves within 7 to 10 days
• your child gets cold sores frequently

Mild uncomplicated eruptions of herpes simplex require no treatment.

As sun exposure often triggers facial herpes simplex, sun protection using high protection factor sunscreens and other measures is important.

Severe infection may require treatment with an antiviral agent. Oral antiviral drugs include:

• aciclovir
• valaciclovir
• famciclovir.

If you like this page, please post it on: