New research into the extent of the herpes virus in the UK, which causes cold sores as well as genital herpes, has lead researchers in the public health sector to claim that there is potentially a silent herpes epidemic sweeping the UK.
Previous estimates were that approximately 50% of the population carries the herpes virus but those estimates have recently been updated to almost 70% of the population who could be carrying the HSV-1 virus that causes cold sores.
The problem with estimating the exact prevalence of the virus is that many people carrying it are asymptomatic or if they do have herpes symptoms, they are not correctly diagnosed due to a lack of routine testing or that many adults refuse to seek a diagnosis despite suffering symptoms due to social stigma surrounding the virus and how it perceived to be transmitted, which is not always accurate.
The herpes simplex virus exists in two distinct types, each with different characteristics and typical patterns of infection.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) is an oral form of herpes, commonly known as cold sores and is usually caught during in childhood through non-sexual contact.
Oral herpes can also be transmitted via kissing and also into genital herpes via oral sex and vice versa. The concerning thing about oral herpes is that transmission of the virus often takes please when there are no visible symptoms of a cold sore. Many people may not even have experienced a cold sore while still carrying the virus. In recent years the prevalence of cold sores has become higher in older age groups.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) is a form of genital herpes and is typically transmitted through sexual contact. HSV-2 is less common than cold sores and affects approximately 15% of adults, with the highest prevalence being among 20–35-year-olds and is more common in women than men. Up to 80% of people carrying genial herpes show no visible symptoms of the virus.
Public health officials suggest that recently the epidemiological landscape of transmission of the herpes virus has changed and that rather than transmission happening mostly in childhood, the sharp increase of prevalence of cold sores in adults could be due to an increase in oral sex.
How to protect yourself and others from the spread of the herpes virus
The virus is at its most infectious when there are physical symptoms present so any form of tinging, itching or the start of an actual herpes sore should be treated as a danger zone period for transmitting the virus to others.
Testing is another way to protect yourself and others from potentially catching the virus, so if you have any concern that you may be showing symptoms of the herpes virus you should get tested. Doctors recommend that anyone engaging in regular physical contact, either genital or oral, with new partners should potentially get regular tested for the herpes virus because as statistics show, a large percentage of people carrying the herpes virus display no symptoms, so voluntary testing is the only reliable method of screening for the virus.
Open communication with new partners is also vital for reducing the risk of transmitting the virus. Telling new partners that you get cold sores or genital herpes if you do, is crucial for making sure the virus isn’t passed on. Also, if you are concerned that you may have developed symptoms of the virus but have yet to be diagnosed, this should also be openly communicated with new partners.
Using barrier protection during sex with new partners is also the best way to prevent the virus from being transmitted.
Applying anti-viral lip balms daily, and also before and after engaging in close oral contact could also help reduce the risk of transmitting the virus orally as well as reducing the frequency of live cold sore outbreaks.
Lip Q Liquorice Balm contains a highly concentrated extract of liquorice extract (glycyrrhizic acid) and according to a study by the Herpes Virus Association, if used daily the transparent and odourless lip balm helps reduce the frequency and intensity of cold sore outbreaks.
Additionally, research published in the US Journal of Clinical Investigation has shown that glycyrrhizic acid has the ability to weaken the cold sore virus which lies dormant in the skin between outbreaks.
“Liquorice root has strong anti-viral properties and is particularly effective against the cold sore virus. Research shows that glycyrrhizic acid specifically targets the genes that are required to maintain the virus in its latent state by interfering with the production of special proteins that feed the infected cells. It has also been found in studies to help protect the skin again UV damage. This is helpful for preventing cold sores as sun is one of the main triggers for cold sore outbreaks,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh.
Lip Q Liquorice Balm can be worn under lip stick and is beneficial if applied before kissing. It may also aide in the prevention of cold sore outbreaks if applied more frequently during times of high stress of lowered immunity such as after illness as well as before, during and after flights and when exposed to increased sun, such as on summer or ski holidays. It may also be beneficial if worn regularly by new mums and by anyone in regular close contact with newborn babies.
