How to Treat Oral Herpes

There are two types of herpes: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 which is more known to be the herpes virus that causes oral herpes and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 which is more known to be the herpes virus that causes genital herpes. The bad news about the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 is that an estimated 90 percent of the population has some form of this herpes virus. The good news, however, is that the oral herpes symptoms are usually no worse than cold sores, and can be prevented with proper herpes treatment.

Oral herpes can be treated via self medication otherwise known as home care treatment or through medical treatment.

Self Care at Home Oral Herpes Treatment

Oral Herpes Treatment Step 1:
Apply ice to the herpes inflammation site for 15 seconds at the first sign of a herpes blister. The ice freezes the herpes virus, and can prevent a herpes blister from fully forming. Remove the ice for 15 seconds, and then repeat the procedure for a total of 5 minutes. Wait 15 minutes, and then repeat the entire process.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 2:
Another self care at home oral herpes treatment that is advised is to mince a few cloves of garlic and ingest it through pasta sauce. Studies have shown garlic may have the power to kill both oral herpes and genital herpes virus strains. The herb’s effects greatly support the body’s immune system, and helps treat herpes outbreaks. You can also substitute fresh garlic for its tablet counterpart, which is available at most health food stores.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 3:
Use products containing echinacea extract for oral herpes treatment. Preliminary studies indicate echinacea may be used to treat oral herpes, as it has the ability to completely destroy the herpes virus. Products containing echinacea root tincture can be applied to the inflammation site twice per day, using a cotton ball.

Medical Treatment for Oral Herpes

Medical treatment for oral herpes includes medication for fever and taking plenty of fluids as well. Because the herpes sores are painful, you may have difficulty eating or drinking. To prevent dehydration, call your doctor as soon as you cannot eat or drink.
It is also advisable that you call your doctor immediately if any of these herpes symptoms, which suggest dehydration, occur:
o    A decrease in urination (fewer wet diapers in infants)
o    Drowsiness
o    Irritability
o    Dry mouth
It also advised that you call your doctor if you or your children are not sure if the sores are herpes sores or simply cold sores.
If your child is younger than 6 weeks, notify your doctor when herpes sores appear. Severe infection or disease complications occur more commonly in infants. For instance, besides affecting the mouth, the herpes simplex virus may go to the brain and produce damage.
People whose immune systems are weakened should also call their doctor when herpes sores appear. Your immune system protects you from infection or fights infection. If your system is weakened, you are more likely to have severe infection or disease complication.

Medical treatments to take for oral herpes outbreaks are the following:

Oral Herpes Treatment Step 1: Treat the symptoms of oral herpes outbreaks with over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These medicines can help decrease pain and can shorten the healing time of the herpes sores.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 2: Obtain prescription medicines such as Valtrex, Famir or Zovirax. These antiviral medications are recommended for those who suffer from herpes outbreaks four or more times per year.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 3: A topical anesthetic such as viscous lidocaine (Dilocaine, Nervocaine, Xylocaine, Zilactin-L) may be prescribed to relieve pain caused by oral herpes.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 4: Oral or IV medication does exist for herpes simplex virus 1 or oral herpes but is not recommended for people with a normal immune system. It is used only for people with weakened immune systems, infants younger than 6 weeks, or people with severe disease.
Some people may also require hospital admission for oral herpes treatment. These are people who suffer from severe local herpes infection, people whose herpes infection has spread to other organ systems, people with weakened immune systems, dehydrated individuals who need IV hydration and infants that are younger than 6 weeks.

	Spring Valley – Odorless Garlic 1000 mg, Twin Pack, 200 Softgels, 100 Ct Each Bottle
	Liquid Echinacea Extract
	Zovirax Cold Sore Treatment Cream 2g