What Are the Treatments for Herpes 1?
Herpes I is a very common virus. In some countries, 100% of children under the age of 5 have experienced Herpes I. Herpes I is responsible for facial cold sores, also called fever blisters. Although Herpes I can also cause genital herpes, the vast majority of cases of genital herpes are caused by Herpes II.
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Treatment
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Herpes I itself is not a treatable virus. There are no cures or methods of making the virus go away. Once you are infected with Herpes I, it may remain in the body for years or for a lifetime. It may remain dormant for long periods of time, which means that although you are still infected you have no symptoms associated with the virus. Outbreaks, usually in the form of facial cold sores for Herpes I, occur periodically and can be brought on by a number of different factors. Treatment for Herpes I primarily involves minimizing the possibility of outbreak and treating the symptoms when they occur.
Minimizing Outbreaks
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Once Herpes I becomes active, cold sores will appear and although they may be treated, the cold sores typically have to run their course. Thus, one of the best methods of treating and managing Herpes I is to be aware of the causes of outbreaks and do your best to minimize or avoid them. Colds, flues and other illnesses that weaken the immune system can cause an outbreak of Herpes I, so you should take care to wash your hands frequently and/or use antibacterial gel. In addition, sun exposure can cause an outbreak, so you should wear sunscreen and lip balm when you are going to be exposed to sunlight.
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Medications
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Acyclovir is a medication used to stop outbreaks of Herpes I. The drug can be taken orally and is effective at preventing both colds sores and, if the virus is causing genital herpes, blisters in the genital area associated with genital herpes. Acyclovir can also be applied in cream form to cold sores once the virus is active and the sores appear.
Other over-the-counter creams that contain the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide may help shorten the course of cold sores on the face caused by Herpes I, but only if applied at the first sign of a cold sore.
Home Remedies
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For those who do not wish to use medications to treat outbreaks of Herpes I, a number of different options are available. Applying the juice from an aloe plant or a teabag to a cold sore can help prevent the sores from spreading and help shorten the course of the sores. An ice cube applied to the sore for one hour several times daily may also help relieve pain and shorten the cycle of the outbreak. Each of these remedies is most effective if applied as soon as the cold sore appears.
Vitamin Supplements
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An acidic pH level in the body tends to activate the Herpes I virus, so maintaining a balanced pH level can be useful in helping to avoid an outbreak of Herpes. Vitamin supplements, including vitamin C, E and zinc, may help to avoid outbreaks of Herpes I.
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