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Cold sores are very common and are caused by the type one Herpes Simplex virus. They usually occur in the mouth and face and last for up to several days before disappearing. Once a person has contracted the Herpes Simplex virus, it lies dormant within the body for an unspecified period of time before making its appearance in the form of cold sores.

When a person comes into contact with a person who has cold sores, whether in the mouth, face or other locations like the genitals, they should immediately wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before they touch any part of their own bodies. The Herpes Simplex virus can be transmitted via skin-to-skin contact, as well as through using an infected individual’s personal belongings such as utensils, razors and lipstick.

The Herpes Simplex virus is long-lasting. Once a person has contracted this virus, that person will be prone to outbreaks of cold sores indefinitely. The virus continues to lie sleeping in an infected person’s body and when it becomes active, it manifests itself as cold sores in the mouth or face. There outbreaks usually occur as infrequently as twice a year, or as often as once a month.

Before a cold sore actually begins to form, there will be an area of the mouth or face that will begin to tingle, burn or itch. Sometimes numbness develops on the exact spot where a cold sore is about to break out. Cold sores are characterized by painful stinging and tenderness to the touch. They last for several days up to more than a week and are known to cause sleepless nights for infected individuals.

While there is no absolute cure for cold sores, there are many remedies to provide relief from the stinging irritation characterized by cold sore outbreaks. Some people are hardy enough to wait out the cold sores until they disappear on their own. Others resort to homemade cures ranging from warm salt water or vinegar gargles to rubbing the infected area with alum.

There is one potent medication, however, that can provide fast relief from cold sores, speed up the healing period, and even keep subsequent breakouts from occurring. Aciclovir is an antiviral agent used specifically in the treatment of herpes and various other viral infections that are caused by the herpes virus. Some of these infections also include chickenpox and shingles.

In most cases Aciclovir can actually prevent recurrent oubreaks of the Herpes Simplex virus, or at the very least reduce the frequency of cold sores in an infected person. Aciclovir comes in a 400mg/5ml oral suspension and 2mg tubes of cream. It is also helpful for people who have low immune systems that make them susceptible to contracting herpes infections.

When used as directed, Aciclovir cream is effective in preventing a cold sore from developing. At the first sign of the tingling sensation that precedes the formation of a cold sore, a person need only rub the cream on the affected area so as to prevent a cold sore from forming.