{"id":13614,"date":"2016-10-21T14:03:07","date_gmt":"2013-10-21T21:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.accessrx.com\/blog\/?p=13614"},"modified":"2021-08-06T18:16:01","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T18:16:01","slug":"the-new-treatments-for-cold-sores-m1008","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/std-sexually-transmitted-diseases-treatments\/the-new-treatments-for-cold-sores-m1008\/","title":{"rendered":"The New Treatments for Cold Sores"},"content":{"rendered":"

Worldwide, between 60 and 95% of adults<\/a> have been infected with one or both types of herpes simplex virus responsible for cold sores, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Prescription medications can help shorten the duration and severity of cold sore outbreaks. [Espa\u00f1ol<\/a>]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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More people have been infected with HSV-1 than HSV-2, though either type can cause both cold sores and genital herpes. In the United States, around 58% of the population is infected with HSV-1<\/a>, and around 16% are infected with HSV-2. Of those with HSV-2, less than 19% know they are infected<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not everyone who is infected with one or both HSV strains gets visible cold sores. Though most adults worldwide have been infected, only about 20% of people get cold sores, the painful crusty sores that tend to form around the mouth. A new genetic study may provide answers to questions about why some people are plagued with cold sores and others never get them.<\/p>\n

The University of Edinburgh Genetic Study<\/h3>\n

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland identified several genes that were candidates for making a protein that prevents HSV from becoming active and causing cold sore outbreaks. Once researchers identified possible genes, they tested blood samples of 20 people with cold sores. They discovered that a gene called IL28B was mutated in people who got cold sores.<\/p>\n

The mutated version of IL28B cannot produce the protein that prevents HSV from becoming active, so the immune system has a harder time fighting off cold sores. Researcher Juergen Haas of the University of Edinburgh said in a news release<\/a> that, \u201cuntil now, we never knew why only some [people] develop cold sores.\u201d Furthermore, \u201cKnowing that susceptibility to the virus involved relates to people’s genes reinforces the need to research not only the evolution of viruses themselves, but also the susceptibility of hosts to infection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interestingly, IL28B is also important in treatment response in patients with hepatitis C. When the gene is mutated, patients tend to respond less favorably to treatment. The IL28B research, which was published in PLOS Pathogens<\/a>, helps establish that one genetic mutation may affect reaction to different viruses.<\/p>\n

How to Prevent Cold Sores<\/h3>\n

While the new research is exciting, it doesn\u2019t help cold sore suffers right now. If you\u2019re susceptible to cold sores, you can do your part to minimize outbreaks by<\/p>\n