• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Patient Education

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Symptoms
• Transmission
• Risk Factors
• Complications
• Diagnosis
• Similar Conditions
• Home Remedies and Prevention
• Treatment for Genital Herpes
• Treatment for Oral Herpes
• Resources
• References

Herpes simplex

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of herpes simplex.

Alternative Names

Genital herpes; Fever blisters; Cold sores

Treatment for Oral Herpes

Oral Treatments

Acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir) -- the anti-viral pills used to treat genital herpes -- can also treat the cold sores associated with oral herpes. In addition, acyclovir is available in topical form (see below), as is penciclovir (a related drug).

Topical Treatments

These ointments or creams help shorten healing time and duration of symptoms. However, none are truly effective in eliminating outbreaks.

• Penciclovir (Denavir) heals HSV-1 sores on average about half a day faster than without treatment, stops viral shedding, and reduces the duration of pain. Ideally, the patient should apply the cream within the first hour of symptoms, although benefits have also been noted with later application. It is continued for 4 consecutive days, and should be reapplied every 2 hours while awake.
• Acyclovir cream (Zovirax) works best when applied early on (at the first sign of pain or tingling).
• Docosanol cream (Abreva) is the only FDA-approved non-prescription ointment for oral herpes. It is applied five times a day, beginning at the first sign of tingling or pain. Studies have been mixed on it benefits.
• Over-the-counter topical anesthetics may provide modest relief. They include Anbesol gel, Blistex lip ointment, Campho-phenique, Herpecin-L, Viractin, and Zilactin.

• Review Date: 10/1/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.