health

There is no permanent cure for HSV-1 infection. After a person is
infected with the virus, it hides within nerve cells, making it difficult
for the immune system to find and destroy it. HSV-1 remains in the
body, so that cold sores can reappear at any time. Recurrences of oral
herpes can be triggered by a number of factors, including getting the
flu or a cold, not getting enough sleep, having dental work or oral surgery,
getting traveler’s diarrhea, menstruation, emotional stress, an
injury to the mouth or lips, or exposure to the sun for long periods
of time. The connection between colds and flu in reactivating HSV-1
is the reason why oral herpes is commonly known as cold sore or
fever blister.
The best time to start treating cold sores is during the prodromal
stage before the blisters appear. The doctor can prescribe an antiviral
medication to shorten the length of the outbreak and reduce discomfort.
Other treatments that can be used are topical anesthetics applied
directly to the sores, and aspirin, Advil, or Tylenol to bring down fever.
Some people also find that ice applied to the blisters helps to relieve
discomfort.