Scientific poll :D

[Epona]

Oh and to add:

The best treatment for them is 5% acyclovir ointment (brand name Zovirax, but a generic acyclovir cream will be just as good and possibly less expensive than a brand name one).

Treatment should start as soon as you realise you have a blister forming. The ointment is selectively taken up by infected cells (ie. the blister will activate the medication and healthy skin won't) It works by inhibiting the growth of HSV1 cells, and can shorten the duration of an attack, as well as preventing the most painful weeping and scabbing stage if treatment is started early enough - the blister will stay as a small hard blister before disappearing after a few days of treatment.

The cream should be applied while wearing a latex glove to prevent any infected cells adhering to the fingers and spreading the virus to others or other areas of the body. Just put the cream on the blister and try to avoid getting any on healthy skin, since it really dries out the skin which can become red and sore.

It can't be used as a preventative and should only be used when you have a blister, not on healthy skin.

Originally posted by WillowIX: quote: Originally posted by Lil Lil: I hope they go away soon...without the medication I don't know how they go away other than waiting for your body's anti-bodies to rid you of the virus that is causing them.

Now that's the "beauty" of HSV, or Herpes simplex virus. The antibodies can't clear the infection. Instead the virus lay dormant in neurons I believe it is. Then something triggers teh virus and a new infection takes place. There are several so called triggers. I'll see if I can look them up somewhere.

Couldn't vote in your poll Stormy. Questions 5 and 6 were a bit hard for me to answer. [/QUOTE]Rid is not subdue, you are right and I know Herpes is forever.

Stress has been linked as a trigger for outbreaks without colds but I don't know of any others (and don't worry about them lol).

I was unaware that the fever blisters I got with colds as a kid were associated with, or a result of, HSV. I did know the smaller canker sores that develop inside the mouth were related though. [img]smile.gif[/img]

questions 5 & 6 are messed up..those of us who want to answer no or none or N/A aren't able to. ....Im Herpes free and hope to stay that way [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Gammit]

Actually, you're probably not herpes free... most people have at least one simplex, they just don't show the symptoms.

And Epona is RIGHT on the money as for the causes and all that...

[Epona]

80% of adults have HSV1. Only about 33% of them ever get fever blisters. Just cos you've never had one doesn't mean you don't have HSV1 - you're more likely to have it than not!

If you've ever had chicken pox it is very likely that you have that form of herpes dormant in your system.

[ 06-02-2003, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: Epona ]