What are cold sores?

Cold sores are a common viral infection. They are small fluid filled blisters that appear on parts of the face, usually on the lips and around the mouth. Cold sores have several typical stages of progression:

• Stage 1 -you will feel a tingling, itching or burning feeling

• Stage 2 -appearance of small fluid filled painful blister(s)

• Stage 3 -blisters grouped in patches, burst and scab over

• Stage 4 -scabs heal slowly leaving no visible scar from the cold sore

Cold sores, for most people, usually begin to heal within 10 days without treatment. For some people, it may be appropriate to seek treatment if their cold sores are bigger than normal or take longer to heal than expected.

How do you catch cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by a virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus is very common as it is caught by coming into contact with other people with an active infection. Around 70% of American adults have oral herpes (cold sores).

For most people, the virus lies dormant in the skin, suppressed by your immune system. Occasionally the virus reactivates causing a cold sore. This is often when your immune system is temporarily weakened, by example through stress or illness.

As cold sores are caused by a viral infection and there is currently no cure, many people will experience repeated cold sores. This is because the virus repeats the cycle of reactivation over and over again.

When are cold sores contagious?

Cold sores are contagious from the time you feel a tingling, itching or burning sensation on your mouth or face to when the blisters burst, scabbed over and are invisible.

Whilst you have cold sores, avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking bottles or other items that regularly come into contact with your mouth and face. Also, avoid touching the cold sore directly and wash your hands regularly to help prevent the virus from passing from one person to another.

Cold sores and genital herpes

There are two types of herpes virus. Cold sores are typically caused by type 1 virus (HSV-1). HSV-1 can cause sores on the genitals and type 2 virus (HSV-2) can cause sores on the mouth. The virus that causes cold sores can be transmitted to the genitals and anus, potentially causing genital herpes. This is not as common but if you are worried, avoid touching your cold sores, wash your hands regularly and consider treating your cold sore with antiviral medication.

While you have a cold sore, avoid oral sex as this can increase the risk of passing the virus to a partner. Also, use a condom during sex to reduce your risk of contracting or passing on HSV infection of the genitals.

When do cold sores need treatment?

Cold sores are very common and most people do not need treatment. However, if your cold sores occur frequently, are large, painful, prolonged or you are at high risk of serious complications, such as from a weakened immune system, a doctor may prescribe you with an antiviral medication such as Valtrex. To prevent the herpes virus from growing and spreading you will need to take the antiviral medication on the day you notice the cold sore forming.

What is Famciclovir?

Famciclovir contains the active substance famciclovir and is an antiviral drug. Famciclovir is used to treat repeat outbreaks and to prevent further outbreaks of code sores in adults. Famciclovir is a pro-drug form of penciclovir with improved oral bioavailability. Famciclovir is marketed under the trade name Famvir and is not available as a brand-name drug. Famciclovir is not a cure for cold sores and it does not prevent you from spreading the virus. To get the most benefit from treating the infection you should take the Famciclovir tablet as soon as the first symptoms appear, as the virus reproduces very early.

How to take Famciclovir?

To treat an outbreak of cold sores, take two tablets twice a day for one day. You can take the Famciclovir tablet with or without food.

What is the difference between Famvir and Famciclovir?

Famciclovir is the active ingredient in Famvir and is available in a generic, unbranded tablet. Famciclovir and Famvir are medically equivalent but Famciclovir is available at a much lower cost.

Generic medicines are required to meet the same standards of safety, quality and efficacy as the branded medication. Therefore, generic medicines contain the same active ingredient and are equally effective and medically equivalent as the branded products but are available at a lower price. Generic manufacturers have to demonstrate that they are medically identical to the branded product - i.e. they offer the same quality, strength, stability and effectiveness.

As with all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Famciclovir should only be taken after carefully weighing the potential positives and negatives in conjunction with a qualified healthcare professional. The most common adverse reactions reported by patients treated with Famciclovir were headache and nausea.

The following side effects have also been reported:

Common (may affect less than 1 in 10):

• Feeling dizzy
• Feeling or being sick
• Stomach pains
• Itching
• Feeling tired