Anyone who has ever suffered from recurrent cold sores likely dreads the telltale itching and tingling that indicates an outbreak is coming – and with good reason. The fluid-filled blisters that form around the mouth are painful, unsightly and also highly contagious.
The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, also called fever blisters. The word herpes comes from the Greek word herpein, which means to creep. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses:
· Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
· Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)
Both viruses are double-stranded DNA viruses that infect only people, not animals. It is possible to be infected with one or both herpes viruses. Until recently, it was believed that HSV-1 infections occurred in or around the mouth and that HSV-2 infections occurred in or around the genital area. It has now been proven that either type of virus can infect either location. When the mouth area is infected, this is known as a cold sore or a fever blister.
Cycle Of The Herpes Simplex/Cold Sore Virus
· The herpes virus comes in contact with broken skin or mucous membranes in the area of the mouth, the lining of the mouth or the vagina, or in the area of the anus.
· The virus migrates to the nuclei, or center, of these cells and tries to reproduce itself, or replicate, which is how the virus grows and survives.
· Those cells are now infected with the herpes virus, although most people do not get symptoms of having the virus.
· The replication process destroys the invaded cells causing blisters or ulcers to form on the skin.
· The blisters or ulcers form a crust, which then heals without producing a scar.
· The virus then travels back along the nerve channel to the ganglia, which are important nerve branching points deep within the body.
· The virus remains inactive, or latent, in the ganglia. While latent, the virus does not replicate. Latency lasts for varying lengths of time.
· The virus reactivates, traveling back down the nerve to the skin, causing symptoms. This is called recurrence. Several things can trigger recurrence.
Causes of Herpes Simplex/Cold Sore Recurrences
Recurrences can strike even in those with a healthy immune system. They can occur spontaneously or they can be sparked by any of the following known triggers.
· Physical or emotional stress or anxiety
· Heat, cold or fever
·. Consuming these foods can affect the frequency and severity of cold sore outbreaks. Arginine, the amino acid found in these foods, actually helps the herpes virus to reproduce properly.
The good news is that cold sore and genital outbreaks can be prevented – or significantly shortened – by taking supplements of lysine, or L-lysine, an amino acid found in chicken, fish and dairy products. Since arginine reduces the effectiveness of lysine, avoid those foods that contain arginine while on a lysine regimen. Cold sore sufferers should also get an adequate daily supply of Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, B Complex, Selenium and Vitamin A. The preventative effects of lysine have been proven both in clinical trials and in experience with patients who have the herpes virus.
At high dosages, lysine will cause the replicating herpes virus to make defective copies of itself. The result of this is a virus that is less aggressive. For people whose cold sores recur at six to eight week intervals, a good recommendation by medical professionals is a daily dosage of 3,000 mg of lysine year-round.
When outbreaks occur less frequently than six to eight week intervals, it’s best to take 3,000 mg of lysine per day at the first sign of an outbreak and to maintain that dosage until the sore crusts over. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are cautioned to avoid lysine tablets.
Lysine, or L-lysine, and the other recommended supplements are generally available in pharmacies, supermarkets and health food stores.
