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Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex, it can be passed on via skin to skin contact from a very age although symptoms may not appear until adulthood, cold sores can occur anywhere on the face and can last upto 10 days, they are very contagious and can be extremely dangerous for children and newborns if they are exposed to the virus, as such it is advisable not to kiss anyone and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying any medication to the affected area.The initial onset of a cold sore is recognised by a tingling, burning or itching sensation, within the following 48 hours small fluid filled blisters appear, these blisters then burst and scab over when healing.
The active ingredient in Zovirax is aciclovir which is an antiviral used to treat infections caused by the herpes simplex virus. Zovirax cream is best applied as early as the tingling and burning sensation is experienced, however it can also be used once the blisters form as well. Zovirax can be used by both adults and children however use should be discounted if the symptoms persist for over 10 days, in which case please contact your primary health care provider for additional support and information.
How To Use?
Apply the cream liberally to completely cover the whole of the affected area. Apply to the affected area five times a day at approximately 4 hourly intervals for four days. If your cold sore has not healed after this time, you can use the cream for up to 10 days in total. See the enclosed leaflet for further details. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you know that your immune system is weakened.
