Herpes Articles A-Z
Abreva is typically used to treat the symptoms of cold sores and to speed up healing. This page of the eMedTV Web site briefly describes how the medication should be applied and lists possible side effects. Abreeva is a common misspelling of Abreva.
Abreva is a non-prescription drug commonly used to treat symptoms of cold sores and shorten healing time. This eMedTV segment provides an in-depth look at the drug, including how it works, guidelines for those taking it, side effects, and more.
This eMedTV segment discusses the issues surrounding Abreva and breastfeeding. It provides the manufacturer's guidelines, what to consider before taking it, and stresses the importance of discussing the subject with your healthcare provider.
This eMedTV resource takes a look at Abreva and pregnancy. It explains the results of animal studies, gives the manufacturer's recommendations, and describes what to discuss with your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking it.
This page of the eMedTV library offers several tips and guidelines regarding how your Abreva dosage should be taken. This includes how often it should be taken, how to apply the drug to achieve the best results, and more.
At this time, there are no known Abreva drug interactions. However, as this eMedTV page explains, the drug has not been studied with other topical products, such as ointments and creams, so interactions may exist that have not been discovered yet.
Known Abreva side effects include headaches, painful menstrual periods, and infection. This segment of the eMedTV archives discusses these and other side effects, explaining when they are likely to occur and what to tell your healthcare provider.
Abreva uses are focused on treating cold sores by minimizing the infection. However, as this eMedTV Web page explains, off-label uses for the drug also exist. This page examines these various uses in detail, describing how the medication works.
Abreva Warnings and Precautions
Because knowing Abreva warnings and precautions can help ensure an effective treatment process, this eMedTV resource provides a list of the most common. This includes people who should not take the drug and how to take it to achieve the best results.
Abreva is commonly used to speed up healing and the duration of cold sores. This eMedTV article provides a brief overview of the drug and also offers a link to more detailed information. Abrevia is a common misspelling of Abreva.
Acyclovir ointment is a prescribed antiviral medicine that is used to treat genital herpes and cold sores. This eMedTV resource takes an in-depth look at the medicine, including information on its uses, tips for using the ointment, and side effects.
This eMedTV resource explains that the recommended acyclovir ointment dosing guidelines for the treatment of cold sores or genital herpes consist of applying enough ointment on the skin to cover all lesions six times a day for seven days.
Acyclovir Ointment Side Effects
Mild pain, itching, and swelling are some of the common acyclovir ointment side effects that can occur. This eMedTV article describes other possible side effects of the medication and explains when you should contact your healthcare provider.
Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also the cause of chickenpox. This part of the eMedTV library discusses the cause for herpes zoster in detail, including information on how the virus reactivates to cause herpes zoster.
Most cases of cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus. This page from the eMedTV archives discusses cold sore causes in more detail, describes how the virus can be transmitted, and explains what causes cold sores to return.
Although a cold sore cure does not exist, certain drugs are available to help treat associated symptoms. This eMedTV Web page explains why time is the only "cure" for cold sores and describes the effects of cold sore medications.
Several medications are available for the treatment of cold sores. This page on the eMedTV Web site lists various types of prescription cold sore medicines and also explains which over-the-counter drugs are available for treating cold sores.
To prevent cold sores, it is best to avoid skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact with an infected person. This eMedTV article offers cold sore prevention tips for people who have never had cold sores and for people who have recurrent cold sores.
Various cold sore remedies are available in the form of creams, ointments, and oral tablets. This eMedTV Web page describes cold sore treatments in more detail and lists precautions you can take to speed up healing and prevent spreading the virus.
Sore throat, fever, and blisters are common cold sore symptoms that may occur during an initial attack. This eMedTV segment lists other possible symptoms of cold sores, including the symptoms that may occur with recurrent cold sores.
Research scientists believe that certain factors may trigger an outbreak of cold sores. This eMedTV article lists possible cold sore triggers, such as emotional stress, fever, and fatigue, and explains the importance of knowing your particular ones.
Cold sores, which are contagious, generally form around the mouth on the lips, cheeks, or gums. This eMedTV resource explores the causes of cold sores, explains how the virus that causes them is transmitted, and describes treatment options.
Talking with your doctor, partner, and family can be helpful when living with genital herpes. This eMedTV page offers other suggestions for coping with genital herpes and explains the possible physical and emotional effects it may have on you.
Viral cultures and blood tests are helpful tools in diagnosing cold sores. This section of the eMedTV library further explains how healthcare providers diagnose the condition and describes the tests that are commonly used to confirm a diagnosis.
A genital herpes diagnosis can be made by using a blood test or viral culture of a lesion. This page of the eMedTV Web site describes the tests that can be used for diagnosing genital herpes and lists other conditions that share similar symptoms.
This eMedTV page lists tests that a doctor may use in diagnosing herpes zoster (such as a physical exam or blood test). This article also explains why it's important to see your doctor no later than three days after the herpes zoster rash starts.