Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.
Herpes labialis is a viral infection caused by helper simplex virus.
It is a recurrent infection that is once the infection has been acquired by an individual it will keep on recurring as the virus remains dormant in nerves.

Usually the first episode of infection is characterised by multiple fluid filled blisters and severe systemic manifestations like fever, malaise, body aches, tender lymph nodes etc and these subside once the infection phase is over.

Recurrences of infection occur in cold weather, with fever, dental procedures, pregnancy, menses, stress , low immunity or with medicines like steroids. Recurrent infection usually begins as tingling and numbness at site of development of cold sore and are usually not associated with systemic symptoms like fever malaise etc. However in some people these might be present.

To treat the infection
A course of oral antiviral like acyclovir or valaciclovir can be given esp if symptoms are severe.
Whenever prior to development of lesion if you feel dryness, itching, numbness or tingling at the site of development of lesion, you may apply acyclovir cream five times in a day to prevent lesion from developing.

To answer your question specifically,
If you are facing weakness, malaise right now due to an episode of herpes, kindly take tablet paracetamol to alleviate the symptoms.
Whenever you develop a next episode of herpes, make it a point to take oral antiviral drug as early as possible to prevent herpes infection symptoms from developing or for early resolution of disease.

I would like to know if this was your first episode of herpes labialis or you have had such episodes in past( if yes, how many episodes you had in an year).This would help me in assisting you in a better way.

Hoping to hear from you soon.
Take care.

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Hi XXXXXXX
Usually with first or primary episode of herpes simplex virus infection, such systemic symptoms of fever,malaise , headache, bodyache is common. The treatment offered for these is basically symptomatic and hence I would advise you to take tablet paracetamol twice to thrice in a day to alleviate symptoms. Within few days these symptoms would resolve. As the lesions of herpes have already fallen off, there is no point taking oral antiviral drug. Take a well balanced diet along with adequate hydration and rest to get over these systemic symptoms.

As far as recurrence is concerned it could just be a single episode in an year to multiple episodes. If t is just a single episode of small sore without any other manifestation, local application of antibiotic cream to let the lesion dry and prevention of development of lesion with topical acyclovir cream is enough.
But if episodes are multiple in number or are associated with fever, bodyaches etc, you will require a course of oral antiviral drugs along with symptomatic treatment( paracetamol, Brufen etc).

In nutshell, take paracetamol right now and be watchful for the next episode which may or may not develop as further course of treatment depends upon the severity and number of recurrence one faces.

Hope that answers your query.
Wish you a speedy recovery.


PS should there be no other query, we may close the discussion.

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