What Are Cold Sores?
Cold sores are small, painful blisters that sometimes occur in groups on the lips and in the areas surrounding the mouth. Blisters are usually surrounded by painful, red, swollen skin, and they may break open, leaking clear fluid. They scab over after a few days and usually heal within a couple of weeks.
Cold sores are caused by a virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both of these viruses cause cold sores around the mouth as well as genital herpes. Millions of people carry the herpes simplex virus, though not everyone experiences cold sores.
The virus typically gets into the body through a break in the skin, and that’s why they’re so common around the sides of the mouth, where chapping and cracks in skin are common. HSV can be spread through shared razors or eating utensils. It can also be spread through touching saliva or kissing an infected person. This is a common way that the virus is transmitted from parents to babies. Pain or tingling around the mouth can signal the start of a cold sore outbreak.
What is Valtrex?
Valtrex is the trade name for a compound called valacyclovir. It is an antiviral medication taken orally for treatment of HSV. It is also used to treat other types of herpes virus infections, like shingles and genital herpes. Though it is not specifically approved for treating chicken pox, many doctors have found it to be effective in reducing discomfort in cases of chicken pox and have prescribed it for this purpose. Valtrex comes in caplet form and can be taken either with or without food. To learn more about Valtrex and to buy Valtrex Safely, go to eDrugstore.com’s Valtrex page.
How Does Valtrex Work?
The herpes simplex virus and other herpes viruses contain their own DNA, and when the virus infects a person, it replicates its DNA to spread the virus. Valtrex, which is metabolized in the intestinal system and liver into a substance that is very similar to one of the herpes simplex virus’s metabolites, “tricks” the virus into not being able to replicate. The “fake” metabolite that Valtrex creates when it is broken down is similar to one that is used to assemble the virus’s DNA. The result is that viral DNA is blocked from using the real metabolites it uses to spread, shutting down replication of the herpes simplex virus.
Side Effects
The most common side effects from Valtrex are nausea, headache, dizziness, and stomach pain. These side effects are usually not that bad. However, other, rarer side effects should be reported to your physician. These side effects include lower back pain, mood changes, vomiting, confusion, swelling, or problems with speech or vision. If you take Valtrex and drink alcohol, you may experience more severe dizziness than you would otherwise, so it is important to be cautious when mixing alcohol and Valtrex.
Who Should Not Take Valtrex
There are some people with underlying health problems who should not take Valtrex. People who have kidney disease, kidney failure, HIV, AIDS, cancer, or problems with their immune systems should not take Valtrex. People who have had a bone marrow or kidney transplant should not take Valtrex either, and those with allergies to food dyes or preservatives may not be able to take Valtrex safely. Women who are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, should consult with their physician before taking Valtrex, as should women who are breastfeeding.
Once Daily Therapy with Valtrex
People who have genital herpes or who have repeated bouts of cold sores can take Valtrex as a daily therapy to reduce the number and frequency of outbreaks, and to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus. However, just taking Valtrex is not enough to stop the virus from spreading, so it is important to take proper hygiene and safe sex precautions if you take Valtrex daily.
Other Uses for Valtrex Besides Cold Sores
Valtrex can be prescribed off-label for people with chicken pox and shingles, which can occur in people who have had chicken pox. Shingles is also more common in older people and in people who have a weakened immune system. Valtrex should only be taken for shingles under the supervision of a doctor in case there are underlying immune system problems making the person susceptible to shingles.
Ways to Prevent the Spreading of Cold Sores and HSV
Kissing, oral sex, and touching are how HSV is commonly spread. There are several things you can do to protect yourself if you don’t have cold sores, or to prevent spreading them to someone else if you do have them.
- Avoid contact with people who have cold sores; and if you have them, avoid skin-to-skin contact with others.
- Wash hands thoroughly and regularly. This can keep you from spreading the virus after having touched an area that has cold sores. Hand washing is also a good idea for cutting down on transmission of disease in general.
- Avoid touching toothbrushes and towels that have come in contact with someone with cold sores. If you have cold sores, keep your towels, razors, toothbrushes, and cosmetics separated from those belonging to others.
- Also, your mother was right when she said “Don’t pick at it.” Picking at cold sores is a very efficient way of spreading them. It also makes the area raw and can actually disrupt the healing process while increasing the risk of infection.
- Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting sufficient sleep are good ways to help keep your immune system healthy so you can fight cold sores better.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure if you’re prone to cold sores. Ultraviolet light can increase the chances of an outbreak of cold sores, so wear a hat and use sunblock.
Is Valtrex a Good Choice for You?
You will need to find out from a physician if Valtrex is a good option for helping you treat your cold sores. Valtrex does a great job of halting outbreaks, particularly if taken as soon as the preliminary tingling begins. To puchase Valtrex online, go to eDrugstore.com’s Valtrex page where you can safely buy the medication online.
Photo Credits: Ewen Roberts, Mike Baird, Jim Winstead, Jr., iburiedpaul
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