Cold Sores?!
Question:
Cold Sores?
Sugestions? Prevent them, get rid of them, cover them up? Thank youu
Answers:
Don't be alarmed about the oral sex thing. There are two types of herpes that people get . . . one appears as genital warts and sores, and the other appears as sores on your face around your lips . . . they're the same TYPE of virus, but they're not the same virus . . . having a cold sore doesn't mean somebody gets crotch sores from oral sex (if so, kissing somebody would give them crotch sores -- because the virus travels throughout the entire body).
You can boost your immune system with things like Vitamin C, Zinc, and Echinecia. Zinc would probably be the most effective in boosting your immune system for the prevention of cold sores -- it's shown in some clinical studies that in the early stages of virus reproduction (which happens before an outbreak) zinc stops the virus from forming the shell that it needs to function . . . so, it's just a bunch of virus programming . . . and it can't hurt you.
Zinc, in high doses for long periods of time, however, can cause a heart problem -- it interferes with the absorption of copper in the body . . . and copper (alike zinc) is vital for proper cardiac function. One or two zinc lozenges a day shouldn't be much of an issue, though.
In the lines of over the counter medications, abreva seems to work well for most people. Covering the sores may just irritate them, and make them worse.
Your doctor can prescribe you medications such as Acyclovir or Valcyclovir which can be taken regularly or at the beginning of an outbreak, which can either prevent or shorten the duration of the sores.
Remember, there's a great deal of confusion about the herpes virus. . . there are two major herpes versions that mess with humans -- once you're exposed to one virus, you have that virus forever, and can pass it on to others (especially during an outbreak). The virus travels through your entire body, but is most contagious directly at the sores.
One type of herpes causes sores on the crotch, and can be transmitted through contact with the sores -- if you catch it, it results in mouth sores -- NOT crotch sores.
The other type of herpes causes sores on the mouth -- it can be transmitted through direct contact with the sores -- if you catch it, it results in crotch sores -- NOT mouth sores.
So -- the lesson is . . . if you see a sore, stay away . . . and, don't use eating utensils that people have shoved down their pants.
Good luck!