Rx Note

Introduction A cold sore (herpes labialis) is usually a painful, self-limiting infection of the lips, cheeks or nose or oropharyngeal mucosa, caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) . NOTE: HSV type 2 is most commonly implicated in genital lesions. The infection is spread by viral shedding into saliva and results from direct mucous membrane contact (e.g. kissing) at sites of abraded skin between an infected and uninfected individual. Risk of transmission is highest during the first 1-4 days of symptoms and people should be advised not to kiss others. Once contracted, the person will have the HSV-1 virus for lifetime. Hence, recurrence is common. Triggering factors include stress, ill health, sunlight, winter weather, viral infection (e.g. the common cold) and menstruation. Clinical Features Patients typically experience prodromal symptoms of itching, burning, pain or tingling symptoms 6 to 48 hours before skin eruption. The lesions appear as blisters and vesicles with asso...