Cold Sore Clinical Trials
Our Clinical Trials Can Help You Get Relief From Cold Sores!
Click here to see a list of available clinical trials.
Do you or someone you know suffer from cold sores?
If you or if someone you know are interested in learning more about or want to participate in future Cold Sore Clinical Trials, please call our office at 585-288-0890.
Sincerely,
Patricia S. Larrabee, RN NP
Director
What are Clinical Trials? |
| They are research studies that answer specific questions about vaccines, new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work. |
What causes cold sores? |
| The herpes simplex virus. While there are 8 types of herpes viruses, it is mostly type 1 and occasionally type 2 that cause cold sores (also known as fever blisters, oral herpes, or herpes labialis). Recurrent cold sores are almost always caused by the type 1 virus. |
Why do some people get cold sores so frequently? |
| The majority of people are exposed to the type 1 herpes simplex virus by direct contact with someone with cold sores before they are 10 years old. Most will develop a mild case of one or two cold sores. Some will have a more severe infection called “gingivostomatitis” that is characterized by dozens of painful cold sores on the tongue, gums, and lips, and often is accompanied by fever and sore throat. In severe cases of gingivostomatitis, children are hospitalized because of dehydration. After the initial infection, whether mild or severe, the herpes virus that causes cold sores remains dormant, or latent, in the nerve root connected to the lips. Essentially, the virus “hides and waits”. Unrelated to the severity of the first episode of cold sores, and for unknown reasons, about 25% of exposed individuals will go on to have recurrent cold sores for the rest of their lives. Generally, the virus will be reactivated and cause cold sores as a response to stress, tiredness, illness, sunlight, fever, diet, menstruation or pregnancy. The frequency of outbreaks decreases after age 35. |
What treatments are available for cold sores? |
| There is no available cure for recurrent cold sores. Treatments that will decrease pain and speed healing include the topical creams acyclovir (Zovirax®), docosanol (Abreva®) or penciclovir (Denavir®). Oral medications include acyclovir (Zovirax®), famciclovir (famvir®), and valacylovir (Valtrex®). For mild discomfort, many women get full relief from wearing a well-fitted padded bra, and taking over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed. Others have gotten relief from going braless. Applying heat with a heating pad can also help. There are reports that decreased intake of caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate & sodas) and dietary fats can diminish symptoms. Some women have found benefit from oral birth control pills, vitamin E capsules, or taking evening primrose oil. |
What new cold sore treatments are being studied? |
| New antiviral medications are being developed, as are new routes of administration of existing medications. In one study being conducted at Rochester Clinical Research, the medication acyclovir (Zovirax®) is administered in a tablet that adheres to the patient’s upper gum and gets slowly absorbed, targeting the release of the medication to the area of the body affected by the herpes simplex virus. For more information on this or other studies at Rochester Clinical Research, please contact us.
For more information on Cold Sores, go to: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cold_sores/article_em.htm or http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-sore/DS00358/DSECTION=1 |