Klarinet Archive - Posting 000929.txt from 1999/02

From: "Garry L. Welch" <glwelch@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Cold Sores
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 23:36:20 -0500

Yes, you are correct that anybody with a medical problem should seek an expert
medical opinion! I would never try any of the "hear say" remedies myself, though
I find it interesting to hear what other people have to say about the Rx's and
remedies.

One thing that we can all agree on is that these "sores" are painful to a
musician's lips.

Thank you, Dr. Goldman for your information.

Steven J Goldman, MD wrote:

> Just got home from another long day of treating the flu to read all this
> stuff on "cold sores". Most of it is, to put it nicely, well intended
> claptrap.
>
> Just to make sure everyone's on the same page, there are two oral problems
> that people call cold sores. The first are those unsightly painful lesions
> on the lip. These are a result of herpes simplex virus infection (there is
> one type of herpes that likes the mouth, another that prefers down under,
> but both can be found in either place). The other lesion is also called a
> canker sore, and these are found IN the mouth (cheek, tongue, gums, etc.).
> The cause of these is unknown. It occurs whenever your immune system is run
> down, but may not be caused by an infectious agent.
>
> I'll assume we all are talking about the herpes virus lesion here.
>
> Sorry guys and gals, all the home remedies are very interesting and give you
> something to do, but are useless. There is no vaccine or cure for herpes
> yet. The people who noticed that they seem to occur when you are "run down"
> are correct. The herpes virus lives way up in the nerve that supplies your
> lips when it is inactive. When it somehow senses that your immune system is
> not working full force, it migrates down the nerve to your lip and bingo,
> there goes your concert, date, or whatever. Some reoccurrence are severe,
> others mild, hence the many home remedies (if you use something during a
> mild case, you think the stuff worked miracles - sorry)
>
> Zovrax (acyclovir) is an antiviral medication that works against herpes
> virus. It's nothing to be frightened of. We give small children it to reduce
> the symptoms of chickenpox. Side effects are generally no better or worse
> than a strong antibiotic. The bad news is that topical Zovrax does not
> reduce the severity of symptoms or the length of time they last. It does
> reduce shedding time which means the amount of time you are contagious to
> others. Depending one the dose of oral Zovrax, you may reduce the duration
> of symptoms, but not by very much. Some newer drugs do a bit better, but
> still are not anything to write home about. But there is one use of these
> anti-herpetic drugs that may be useful. Remember the old line herpes is
> forever. Well studies have shown that if you take the above drugs daily for
> one year, it greatly reduces, and in some cases eliminates reoccurrence. Now
> taking these drugs for a year increases the chance of side effects, and you
> need to talk to a doctor who has experience with this treatment. It is
> usually reserved for those who get many, many painful reoccurrence.
>
> Lysine was hoped to be useful. Sadly, controlled studies showed no
> difference between it and placebo.
>
> The best non-pharmicologic way to prevent recurrences is to do things that
> keep your immune system in top shape. Eat right, get a good nights sleep,
> and avoid stress (sounds just like what mom use to tell me).
>
> Finaly, as I stated before, don't give or listen to medical advice given
> over the Internet (even mine!). It is as likely to do harm as good. Find a
> good doctor who knows about whatever your complaint is. If your doctor does
> not understand why a problem is very important to you, it's probably time to
> find a new doctor.
>
> Steve Goldman
> Glenview, IL
>
> sjgoldman@-----.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kevin Fay (LCA) [mailto:kevinfay@-----.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 1999 11:25 AM
> To: 'tpin@-----.org'
> Subject: [kl] Cold Sores
>
> I have the flu (bad) and with it, yet another #@-----. I have been
> plagued with them for my entire life, it seems. (Fortunately for me, only at
> the top end!)....
>
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