What is the best way to prevent cold sores, avoid them, and heal as quickly as possible when they do occur?

In the majority of cases, cold sores result from infection with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Cold sores do not cause significant health consequences, except in people with weakened immune systems.

They are, however, highly contagious. Cold sores are usually spread in childhood by direct contact with a lesion or the fluid in it. It can also be transmitted through oral sex. The first infection often goes unnoticed.

Afterwards, in about one third of people infected, the virus falls dormant and is reactivated periodically by triggers such as anxiety, stress, fatigue, fever and colds.

To avoid contracting the virus

To prevent recurrence:

Over-the-counter treatment products all have common characteristics. There is little evidence to support their effectiveness, and it is difficult to compare them because each patient reacts differently.

However, all products should be applied as soon as possible, as soon as symptoms appear. It is best to keep a product on hand, especially if you have frequent episodes.

Docosanol (Abreva) is the most recent non-prescription product and has the best evidence of effectiveness.

Consult a physician under the following circumstances:

- lesions do not heal after two weeks;

- you have multiple lesions;

- you have lesions inside your mouth and pharynx;

- Redness or pain in or around the eye;

- you have a fever over 38°C or you think your sores are infected;

- A thick, yellowish-white fluid comes out of the lesions;

- You have more than six episodes per year;

- You have genital herpes;

- you have a weakened immune system (cancer, AIDS, organ transplants, immunosuppressive drugs).

I hope this answers your question!

Amal pharmacist