Management of cold sores/Herpes simplex

First Line

Second Line

Specialist

Hospital Only

Invasive Group A Streptococcal infections have increased in incidence and need to be assessed rapidly in hospital. Maintain a high index of suspicion in patients with a high fever, severe muscle aches, confusion, unexplained D&V, local muscle tenderness, or severe pain out of proportion to external signs, hypotension, a flat red rash over large area of the body, conjunctival suffusion.

SELF-CARE: NHS England has published guidance for various common conditions for which over the counter (OTC) items should not be routinely prescribed in primary care. One of these conditions is infrequent cold sores of the lips and face.

Many indigestion and heartburn treatments are cheap to buy and are readily available OTC along with advice from pharmacies. Some self-care medicines are available from shops and supermarkets.

Cold sores resolve after 7–10 days without treatment.

Topical antivirals applied prodromally reduce duration by 12-24 hours.

Please see section 13.10.3 Antiviral preparations

Formulary

Management of cold sores/Herpes simplex