Oral Health and Dental Management

The Herpes Simplex Virus and Cold Sores: Effective Treatment Options

Boris Cooper^* Department of Oral Sciences, Jean Monnet University, Saint-Étienne, France
^*Correspondence: Boris Cooper, Department of Oral Sciences, Jean Monnet University, Saint-Étienne, France, Email:

Received: 28-Aug-2023, Manuscript No. OHDM-23-23256; Editor assigned: 31-Aug-2023, Pre QC No. OHDM-23-23256 (PQ); Reviewed: 15-Sep-2023, QC No. OHDM-23-23256; Revised: 22-Sep-2023, Manuscript No. OHDM-23-23256 (R); Published: 29-Sep-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2247-2452.23.22.1081

Description

A frequent viral infection is cold sores, often known as fever blisters. On and around the lips, they are tiny blisters filled with fluid. These blisters frequently occur in patches. A scab that can last several days forms when the blisters rupture. Cold sores typically disappear without a scar after 2 to 3 weeks. By making intimate physical contact, such kissing, cold sores can transfer from one person to another. Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) and, less frequently, type 2 (HSV-2) are typically responsible for their development. Both of these viruses are spread by oral intercourse and can harm the mouth or genitalia. Even if we can’t see the sores, the infection can still spread. Cold sores cannot be cured, although treatment can help control outbreaks. Sores can heal faster with the use of prescription antiviral med-ications or lotions. Additionally, they could reduce the frequen-cy, duration, and severity of outbreaks in the future.

Stages of Cold Sores

Stage 1: Telltale tingling, we feel a prickling feeling in this stage, especially on the lips and around the mouth. Other pain- ful symptoms including itching, tightness, and discomfort that may linger for 24 to 48 hours may also be present in addition to the feelings.

Stage 2: Blistering, Blisters appear along the lips a day or two after first feeling the prickling. The blister’s surrounding area is red, and the vesicles are filled with clear fluid. Not just the lips, but also the nose, eyes, mouth, and other areas of the body, can develop cold sores.

Stage 3: Ulcer eruption, on the fourth or fifth day, the blisters rupture, leaving behind red, shallow, gaping sores. We should refrain from kissing or sharing utensils during the third stage, which is the most contagious, to reduce transmission. Addition- ally, since the fever blisters may spread to our eyes and genita- lia, we should refrain from touching those areas.

Stage 4: Scab formation, after breaking out and beginning to crust, the body starts to heal the open, superficial wound. Normally, the sore dries out and develop a crusty, brown scab that prevents foreign objects from getting inside the sore. The crust’s surrounding area becomes irritating and uncomfortable as it contracts. When scratched, the healing sore will occasion- ally split and bleed.

Causes for Cold Sores

Sixty-seven percent of people under the age of 50 worldwide have HSV-1, making it a highly contagious disease. After in- fection, the virus stays inside our body forever. Even if it didn’t show up as a clear cold sore, the virus is typically transmitted in early childhood, although most people aren’t quite aware when they first met it. Once infected, we might not exhibit any symptoms until the virus is “triggered.” we will get cold sore outbreaks at this point since the virus has gotten more active. Fever blisters, another frequent name for cold sores, are caused by colds, the flu, and fever, as well as stress, exhaustion, sun-light, and wind.

Symptoms

A few days prior to the onset of a cold sore, we could experience tingling or burning on our lips or face. The ideal time to be-gin treatment is now. When the sore develops, a raised, bloody blister filled with fluid will be seen. Usually, it will feel tender and uncomfortable to the touch. There could be several sores present. Up to two weeks after appearing, the cold sore can still spread until it crusts over. After contracting the herpes simplex virus, it could take up to 20 days before our first cold sore ap-pears. During the cold sores we experience fever, Muscle pain and enlarged lymph nodes. If we experience any eye symptoms when a cold sore outbreak is in progress, we need to notify our doctor right once. If the herpes simplex virus is not properly treated, it might cause permanent visual loss.

Treatment

Within 7 to 10 days, cold sores typically go away on their own without medical intervention. Antiviral creams, however, are sold in pharmacies over the counter without a prescription. When taken properly, these can lessen our symptoms and has- ten the healing process. In order for these treatments to be help-ful, we must start using them as soon as we notice the tingling, itching, or burning sensation around our lips. After this initial phase, it’s unlikely that applying an antiviral cream will have much of an impact. Hydrocolloid gel, an efficient therapy for skin wounds, is also found in cold sore patches. The cold sore is covered by the patch while it heals. For extremely severe cases, antiviral medications may be administered.

Prevention

Avoiding oral skin-to-skin contact with anyone who have the virus, whether or not they are exhibiting symptoms, is the only sure fire strategy to prevent cold sores. Equally crucial is avoid-ing oral-genital contact with those who have been diagnosed with genital herpes. After a first exposure or breakout, numerous methods can be used to try to stop the cold sores from recurring: Use of sunscreens or avoiding exposure to the sun, excessive cold, or skin stress or irritation where previous sores occurred, as these variables may cause a recurrence. Since physical or emotional stress might be linked to an increase in episodes or outbreaks, stress reduction, a healthy diet, and enough rest are all recommended. Antiviral medications may be helpful for those who can identify predictable “triggers” but are unable to reduce recurrence through lifestyle changes, or whose recurrent cold sores seem random or frequent. Prophylactic use of these drugs can significantly reduce the frequency of outbreaks.