Cold Sores
What happens when you get
   a cold sore?
Know what triggers cold
   sores
Cold sores are easily spread
Treatment options

To what extent do cold sores affect
you?
If cold sores are having a negative effect on the way you feel about yourself and your appearance, there are treatments that can help you manage your outbreaks. Talk your doctor to find out what you can do to manage cold sores.

Cold Sores: For Many, They're a Problem That's Hard to Face

Know what triggers cold sores

A number of factors have been associated with the onset of an outbreak of cold sores.

Prolonged periods of emotional stress or excitement as well as physical or mental fatigue can weaken the immune system and make you vulnerable to cold sores, as well as other illnesses. 1,4,6
Learning how to manage stress and looking after yourself with a healthy diet and regular exercise aren’t just common sense – they can go a long way toward keeping your immune system healthy so that it can protect you from recurrent outbreaks.

For many people, exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun (or a sun lamp) can bring on an outbreak of cold sores.1 If you’re one of them, always use a sunscreen on your face and liberally apply a sunblock to your lips before going out in the sun.

 

References

 
1. Sacks S. The Truth About Herpes. 4th Ed., 1997. Gordon Soules Book Publishing Ltd.

2. Ebel C, Wald A. Managing Herpes: How to Live and Love With a Chronic STD. Research Triangle Park, NC: American Social Health Association; 2002.

3. Patrick DM, Dawar M, Cook DA, et al. Antenatal seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in Canadian women. Sex Trans Dis 2001;28(7)424-8.

4. Whitley RJ, Kimberlin DW, Roizman B. Herpes simplex viruses. Clin Infect Dis 1998;26(3):541-53.

5. Aoki FY. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 Edition: Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections. Public Health Agency of Canada http://phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti_2006/pdf/sti2006_e.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2006.

6. Kemeny ME, Cohen F, Zegans LS et al. Psychological and Immunological Predictors of Genital Herpes Recurrence. Psych Med 1989;51:195-208.

7. Valtrex®  (valacyclovir hydrochloride) Product Monograph. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., May 2006.

8. Famvir®  (famciclovir) Product Monograph. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., January 2004.

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