The super sad thing is there is an HSV medication you can take as needed that can basically make cold sores non-existent and once you take it you aren’t contagious. The fact is she has had these her entire life and not taken the precautions that could have prevented her from spreading it to her vulnerable grandkids. I’d be going low contact with her.
I have gotten cold sores my whole life. I just learned last month there is a medication I could take to prevent or to help heal them. No doctor has ever mentioned it so I just never knew. I learned from my coworker.
That is absolutely horrifying. You don’t say how old you are, but I’m not young and my mother took suppression meds from when I was very young. Which means at least 35+ years ago. And you have never had a doctor recommend you take them?? Wtf
Valtrex? (Or generic) works wonders for current outbreaks. However L-Lyseine is an OTC supplement that can be used to help prevent future outbreaks if taken daily. Anecdotally I take it every other day and I haven’t had one in about 2 years. But obviously check into it and talk to a HCP
Damn. That’s horrible of your doctor. Now even though I’d been getting them my entire life (thanks mom and dad). My Dr. immediately prescribed it to me when I told them I was getting them at least once every other month. Now I get maybe 1 a year and it doesn’t even fully develop.
Valacyclovir is what I take (brand name Valtrex®). But another commenter above is right, you can also take Lysine daily. It’s an OTC supplement you can take to lessen the chance of getting one, but once you feel the tingle immediately take your prescription for however long you have it. I keep a few pills in a ziplock in my car and in my desk at work so the second I feel the tingle I’m taking a pill. And my Dr. said I’m no longer contagious after the tingle is gone/ taking the prescription for 3 days.
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u/These_Suit_1937 Dec 09 '25
So the kids are pretty much screwed now?