Acyclovir for Cold Sores

Cold sore that erupts on our facial skin is a fluid-filled lesion that is caused as a result of the spread of the herpes simplex virus of type 1 infection. A cold sore is technically known as Herpes labialis. The sore may or may not occur during a herpes simplex infection. In a type 1 infection, the sores are facial and are commonly referred to as cold sores and fever blisters. The type 2 infection results into genial sores. In such a case, the cure for cold sores is the 'acyclovir' drug, which has been used with quite some successful results.

Cold Sores and Herpes Simplex

The herpes simplex virus is principally a skin infection that causes cold sores and fever blisters to break out on the face. 60% of the times it is the type 1 infection, which is depicted by facial cold sores symptoms. The time span of cold sores extends to about a fortnight or so. The common symptom on the first two days is typically a tingling, itchy and irritating sensation on the facial skin that surrounds the mouth and nose, which is the usual places where the outbreak of sores occurs. This preceding stage is known as the prodrome. Some sores also occur inside the mouth or the nasal cavity. Usually, the cold sores start appearing after your body has been exposed to the herpes simplex virus for about a week or so, maybe even 10 days. The symptoms sometimes do not occur for more than 20 days. The itching, tingling and irritating scratchy sensation is followed by a certain small outbreak of sores on the softer areas of the skin. This is basically a form of skin infection, and the sores gradually become fluid filled and painful. Following this, they turn into painful blisters and harden. After this, the blisters become hard and then break down, after which they start oozing. A yellow crust gets formed on the sore which is followed by the exposition of underlying pink skin.

The formation of pink skin is usually the sign that the infection of the virus has receded or has been eradicated by the antibodies of the body. However, there is also a possibility that the infection has taken refuge in the nerves, and there is a possibility that it may reappear. Apart from the painful sores, there are several reasons as to why one should seek treatment as soon as possible. The first and the only simple reason being that it is highly contagious and spreads due to simple things such as using the same utensils, clothing, towels, and even a simple hug. At the same time, kissing, intercourse or sleeping in the same bed can also cause the spread of simplex. This virus can cause some or the other ailments such a sever fever, declined immunity, etc. The drug acyclovir for cold sores treatment is prescribed by many physicians.

Acyclovir as a Medication

Cold sores are known as Herpes labialiss, 'labia', meaning lips, and can be treated with the help of Acyclovir, which is also known as Aciclovir, Aacycloguanosine and ACV. Acyclovir is a guanosine analog antiviral drug which has been used in treating viral fever since the end of 1980s. Due to its unique functioning, Acyclovir is noted to be the best treatment for cold sores.

Medical practitioners have noted Acyclovir to be a selective medication, with low Cytotoxicity (the property of being toxic to cells) and also being a Prodrug. The process with the help of which Acyclovir triggers the arrest of the simplex is very, very complicated. But on the whole, Acyclovir being a Prodrug, is a medication that enters the human system in an inactive form. Once in the body, this Prodrug gets metabolized to form an active metabolite. This process is known as bio-activation. Once activated, Acyclovir acts in a very selective manner, acting as a bounty hunter by arresting the virus and bringing it out in front of a panel of judges that consist of antibodies formed by the body and white blood cells. The basic process works in such a way that Acyclovir prevents replication of viruses. Most of the viruses devour normal cells, by taking over the entire cell. A cell component known as the nucleoside is used by the virus to manufacture appropriate DNA for replication and multiplication. The virus itself converts Acyclovir into an active form, which later gets incorporated into the newly made viral DNA. The activated Acyclovir tends to freeze the DNA production thereby stopping the virus replication process. By that time, the hangman form of antibodies is produced by the body, which swiftly executes the herpes simplex virus.

Acyclovir is known as the best selective remedy against herpes virus family, which consists of Herpes simplex, Varicella zoster, Epstein-Barr and Cytomegalovirus. Acyclovir is available in the form of several dosages, such as ointments, tablets, capsules and injections. This drug is a prescription drug that is marketed under the name 'Zovirax'.