Cold Sores
Cold sores are a common skin infection that is caused primarily by the type 1 strain of the herpes simplex virus. The symptoms are usually fluid filled blisters that form on and around the mouth. The infected area is often tender and painful, and it’s very contagious. Most people catch the virus when they are children.
An outbreak of cold sores tends to be very uncomfortable and can take time to heal. If you suffer from regular outbreaks, taking an anti-viral medication can help shorten the time it takes you to recover, while reducing the severity of your symptoms. Valtrex and Famvir are 2 of the most effective and convenient cold sore treatments available and can both soothe symptoms and speed up recovery time.
What causes cold sores?
When you first contract the virus you may not display symptoms right away. Most people that contract the virus when they’re young only start showing symptoms when they reach their teens. Even if you don’t show symptoms, your body is never completely free of the virus. Throughout a person’s lifetime, the herpes simplex virus may flare-up and invade the outer layer of skin and cause fluid-filled blisters. Although, most of the time, the HSV-1 virus lays hidden in your nerve cell without causing ill effects.
How could I have caught the virus?
You can get the cold sores virus by coming in direct contact with an area of skin that has active cold sore symptoms. The virus is spread through touch; kissing a person with active symptoms is the most common way people contract this virus. Sometimes the symptoms aren’t always visible, especially at the start of an outbreak. Although it is possible to pick up the virus in your adult years, it is more likely that you’ll get it as a child. Genital herpes is also caused by the herpes simplex virus, but more usually by strain 2 not strain 1- it is possible to get cold sores by having oral sex with a person who is displaying active genital herpes symptoms.
What are the cold sore symptoms?
The first indication of an outbreak is usually a burning, tingling or itching sensation in a specific area on or around the mouth. 1 or 2 days later, the first cold sores will appear as fluid-filled red or purplish blisters on or around the lips or in the corners of the mouth. After a couple of days these tend to merge and form a yellowish crust, which heals within 2 weeks. The first couple of times you experience an outbreak will be the most painful and uncomfortable, but eventually the virus’ attacks become less severe, and the symptoms will be less intense.
What triggers an outbreak of cold sores?
It is not entirely known what exactly causes the virus to become active again and display symptoms. It’s thought that the following factors can increase the risk of you having an outbreak: common illnesses, such as a cold, stress, fever, fatigue; injury to the mouth, exposure to UV light or sunlight, exposure to cold weather, and pregnancy or hormonal changes, such as menstruation.
What cold sore treatments are there?
There is sadly no cure for the herpes virus, but there are treatments available that can help slow down the active spread of the virus and decrease your recovery time. There are cream treatments, such as Zovirax, that can be applied daily to soothe symptoms. There are also prescription medications, which combat the virus directly. The most common treatments are Valtrex and Famvir:
Valtrex for cold sores – This anti-viral treatment soothes and calms cold sore symptoms and reduces recovery time by 1 -2 days. You should take 2 500mg tablets as soon as possible after noticing the first symptoms. Taking a second dose of 2 tablets 12 hours later to complete treatment.
Famvir for cold sores – Famvir can speed up recovery time by 2 days and reduce the severity of your symptoms. You only have to take 3 500mg tablets once as soon as you notice the first symptoms.
Buying a cold sore treatment online
Ordering your cold sore medications online from euroClinix is both secure and convenient. We offer a free consultation service with all our orders to ensure that the treatment you’ve chosen is the right option for you. When you order your medication, all you have to do is fill out the consultation form. This form will be reviewed by one of our registered doctors. If the treatment is approved, a prescription will be issued and passed on to our registered pharmacy which will send it out via free overnight delivery.
