What Is Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the herpes simplex virus the same type of virus that causes cold sores.
As many as 1 in 8 sexually active Australian adults have genital herpes.
If you think you have genital herpes, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment.
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Things You Should Know
- Wash the area before applying a dab to the cold sore, and rub the medicine in with a gentle touch.
- Apply Abreva 5 times per day, washing your hands after only apply other products after it dries and avoid kissing loved ones while using it.
- Talk to your doctor before using Abreva, especially when using it on a child, and avoid sharing it as cold sores are contagious.
How Is Herpes Simplex Treated
Some people have few to no herpes outbreaks and choose not to have treatment. But many people prefer to use medications that shorten outbreaks and reduce symptoms.
During an outbreak, you may use an antiviral ointment or cream to help lessen your symptoms and help them go away faster, but it only works if you start it soon after you start an outbreak. Many people with HSV-2 take daily oral medications to keep outbreaks at bay.
Your provider may prescribe a topical medication or oral medication such as:
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What Can I Put On Genital Herpes Cold Sore
How is genital herpes treated?
- keeping the affected area clean using plain or salt water to prevent blisters or ulcers from becoming infected.
- applying petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to any blisters or ulcers to reduce the pain when passing urine.
- asking a healthcare provider to recommend painkilling creams.
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What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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What Is Neonatal Herpes
Neonatal herpes can be a very serious infection. Babies generally contract the virus from their birthing parent during childbirth even if the parent doesnt have active lesions. They may also get HSV-1 if an adult with an active cold sore kisses them. Breastfeeding babies can also get HSV-1 from the breast if there are lesions present. But babies cant get herpes from breast milk, so its safe to pump and feed.
Herpes simplex can be more dangerous for young babies because they dont have a fully developed immune system. But most babies with neonatal herpes can recover fully with treatment.
The dangers of neonatal herpes are much higher if the infection spreads to the babys organs. If youre pregnant and have herpes, speak with your healthcare provider about how to lower the risk of passing the infection to your baby.
Is There A Cure Or Treatment For Herpes
Theres no cure for the herpes virus yet. A herpes vaccine doesnt currently exist, as the herpes virus has more complicated DNA than most infections, creating challenges for researchers.
However, medication can help with symptoms, like sores, and outbreaks. Medication also lowers the risk of transmission to others. You can take most medications for herpes orally, though you may also apply some as a cream or receive them by injection.
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Support And Advice For Genital Herpes
If you have just found out you have genital herpes, you may feel shocked and may have a lot of questions. It may help you to gather as much information as you can about herpes. This can help you to make fully informed decisions about your treatment, safe sex and preventing further recurrences. Talking to a counsellor about your concerns may also help.
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Is It A Cold Sore Or A Fever Blister
If you prefer to listen to this article, click on the SoundCloud player below.
Imagine this: You and your mother are having a heated discussion about whether the sudden appearance of a sore on your lip is a fever blister or a cold sore. You know you can win this battle, and you respond with an Ill-show-you retort: “Let’s ask Mr. Google,” you say. Both of you whip out your smart phones, and …a family crisis is averted. It turns out youre both right, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Case in point, this annoying sore is known by both names, and is caused by the virus “herpes simplex,” or oral herpes .
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What Are The Common Cold Sore Triggers
Some of the most common factors that may trigger a cold sore include fatigue, stress, fever, a cold or the flu which can all weaken your immune system making you easy prey for a cold sore outbreak.
Cold weather, dry air, winter wind and ultraviolet rays can also lead to cold sores by drying out lips and damaging your skin.
Lastly, the stress associated with hormonal changes and trauma from dental procedures can also cause cold sores.
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What Is The Dosage Of Valtrex Vs Abreva
Valtrex
- Valtrex may be taken with or without food.
- In people with kidney disease, doses need to be reduced.
- For the treatment of herpes zoster , the usual dose is 1 gram 3 times a day for 7 days. Treatment should begin at the first symptom and is most effective if started within 48 hours of the onset of rash.
- The dose for chickenpox is 20 mg/kg 3 times daily for 5 days and treatment should start at the earliest sign or symptom.
- For the treatment of an initial episode of genital herpes, the usual dose is 1 gram twice daily for 10 days. For the treatment of recurrent genital herpes, the usual dose is 500 mg twice daily for 3 days. For best results, treatment should be initiated within 12 hours of the start of symptoms.
- The dose for cold sores is 2000 mg every 12 hours for 1 day.
Abreva
Adults and children 12 years or over:
- Wash hands before and after applying cream.
- Apply to affected area on face or lips at the first sign of cold sore/feverblister .
- Early treatment ensures the best results.
- Rub in gently but completely.
- Use 5 times a day until healed.
Children under 12 years:
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Can You Get A Skin Allergy From Vaping
If you already know you are allergic to berries, using a berry extract can cause a systemic allergic reaction in the lungs and lead to skin allergies.
Is vaseline good for your lipsIs using Vaseline on your lips a health risk? Yes, it is even funded. If your skin is prone to crocodile wrinkles, petroleum jelly, with its moisture-retaining properties, can reduce discomfort. In addition, it can be safely used on sensitive areas such as the skin around the eyes and lips.Is regular Vaseline safe to put on lips?Why is petroleum jelly bad for the lips? Vaseline: a by-product of
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How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Herpes Simplex
Preventing HSV-1
You can reduce your risk of contracting HSV-1 by avoiding physical contact with someone who has a cold sore. People can still spread HSV-1 when cold sores arent present, but its less likely.
If someone has an active HSV-1 infection, avoid:
- Sharing utensils, cups, lip balms or other personal care products.
- Touching the skin near their mouth.
Preventing HSV-2
If youre sexually active, you can take these steps to protect yourself and others from the herpes virus and other STIs:
- Be monogamous with one sexual partner or limit your number of partners.
- Get tested for STIs and complete any prescribed treatment.
- Tell your sexual partners if you have genital herpes so they can get tested.
- Use condoms during intercourse and dental dams during oral sex.
Wash your hands often if you have an outbreak or are around someone with symptoms.
If your sexual partner has genital herpes, these actions can lower your risk of getting the virus:
- Dont have sex when your partner has active symptoms. Condoms may not cover all sores, so you may still get the virus.
- Make sure your partner takes antiviral medication as prescribed.
- Wait to have sex until scabs fall off active lesions.
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Topical acyclovir comes as a cream and an ointment to apply to the skin. Acyclovir cream is usually applied five times a day for 4 days. Acyclovir cream may be applied at any time during a cold sore outbreak, but it works best when it is applied at the very beginning of a cold sore outbreak, when there is tingling, redness, itching, or a bump but the cold sore has not yet formed. Acyclovir ointment is usually applied six times a day for 7 days. It is best to begin using acyclovir ointment as soon as possible after you experience the first symptoms of infection. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use topical acyclovir exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your symptoms should improve during your treatment with topical acyclovir. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Acyclovir cream and ointment are for use only on the skin. Do not let acyclovir cream or ointment get into your eyes, or inside your mouth or nose, and do not swallow the medication.
Acyclovir cream should only be applied to skin where a cold sore has formed or seems likely to form. Do not apply acyclovir cream to any unaffected skin, or to genital herpes sores.
How Long Do Cold Sores Last With Abreva
According to the 2002 study we talked about earlier, patients treated with docosanol cream had a median healing time of a little over 4 days, while those treated with the placebo had a median healing time of a little under 5 days.
Now, I dont have all the details of the study, but having suffered through more cold sores than I can count, I have to assume that what the researchers call healing time is from the start of the cold sore to the end of the blister stage, when a crust forms. Because Ive never seen an un-treated cold sore go from tingling stage to being fully healed, gone without a trace, in under 5 days.
In my experience, how long a cold sore lasts with Abreva really depends on how bad the outbreak was in the first place. A tiny cold sore may heal in 4 or 5 days. But big nasty cold sores that cover half your lip take a whole lot longer than that, Abreva or no Abreva.
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Can I Kiss Someone While A Cold Sore Is On My Lips
Since cold sores are contagious, kissing should be avoided during a cold sore outbreak. Getting up-close and personal spreads cold sores. At any stage of an outbreak, when you kiss your loved ones, especially on the mouth, youre very likely to pass on the virus. And remember, though not as common, cold sores can spread to other parts of the body, too.
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Treatment Options For Genital Herpes
Acyclovir was the first antiviral agent to be used in the treatment of genital herpes, and as such, is the most extensively studied of the antiviral agents currently available. This drug is available in topical, oral, and intravenous forms . In the distant past, topical acyclovir was used to treat recurrent genital herpes, but its ineffectiveness has been known for quite some time. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study found that after application of topical acyclovir 6 times daily for 5 days, only the duration of virus shedding from lesions was reduced compared to placebo. Differences between time to lesion crusting, lesion healing, new lesion formation, and cessation of pain were non-significant .
Intravenous acyclovir remains the most effective form of treatment for a primary genital herpes infection, leading to significant reduction in time to cessation of viral shedding and pain. Time to lesion healing is also 6 days faster than with placebo alone . However, as IV administration of acyclovir requires hospitalization, this route is reserved for patients with life-threatening disease or systemic complications .
Oral agents
Single-day treatment
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What Are The Pros Cons And Price Of Luminance Red
Luminance RED is supported by clinical studies that prove its ability to achieve lasting results. According to clinical research, patients who received Luminance RED treatment averaged 37.5 weeks before their next cold sore episode, compared to 3 weeks for those who did not receive treatment. Patients treated with Luminance Red also experienced a 49% reduction in healing time and a 77% reduction in pain.
Overall, Luminance RED offers an advanced way to reduce the severity of cold sore outbreaks, accelerate healing, and prevent the frequency of future outbreaks. Its available online for $399. If youre not satisfied, Luminance RED offers a 6-month, 100% money-back guarantee.
Is Oral Herpes A Std
Although HSV-1 isn’t technically an STD, you can potentially catch the virus through sex. If you receive oral sex from a person with HSV-1, there’s a risk that the virus could make its way into your body through their saliva. When you acquire HSV-1 through oral sex, it leads to genital herpes rather than cold sores.
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Who Can And Cannot Use Abreva Cream
Abreva® Cream can be used by adults and children over 12 years old. It should be used five times a day for up to 10 days. And because cold sores are contagious, you wont want to share your tube of Abreva® Cream with others. Doing so may spread the infection. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your physician before using Abreva®.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Herpes Simplex
Many people with the infection never experience any herpes symptoms. If you do notice symptoms, youll experience them differently depending on whether youre having your first herpes outbreak or a repeat outbreak. Recurring symptoms are usually milder than the first outbreak. Symptoms dont last as long with later outbreaks. Some people may only have one or two outbreaks during their lifetime. Others may have as many as four or five outbreaks a year.
People who do have herpes symptoms may experience:
- Cold sores around their lips, mouth or tongue. They may look crusty or like fluid-filled blisters.
- Tingling, itching or burning.
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How To Help Stop Hsv Spreading
Remember, the cold sore virus can be spread even when a person isn’t showing symptoms. To avoid spreading the virus:xii
- Dont touch the infected area, apart from when applying cream.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the area.
- Be extra careful around children, babies, pregnant women, elderly people and those who may have low immunity, as HSV can cause complications.
- Dont share items that may have come into contact with the affected area, such as toothbrushes, cutlery, cups, glasses, cold sore cream, lipsticks or lip balm.
- If you have cold sore symptoms, avoid kissing and oral sex until any cold sores have completely healed.
How To Treat Cold Sore Pain
Home remedies and medications can reduce the pain caused by a cold sore. For effective cold sore pain relief, try:
- Ice or a cold compress
- Anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen
- Pain relievers like Tylenol
- Benzocaine or lidocaine gel to numb the affected area
Be sure not to touch or pick at your cold sore, as this can extend the length of your infection and cause more pain.
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What Is Oral Herpes
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