I know this is an old post, but maybe this will help others. This is a virus. What COULD help is Vit C dosing and powerful Grape Seed Extract which is an anti viral, anti fungal, anti bacterial so does a lot for us. Do your research.

When I got my mom on Grape Seed Extract many yrs ago, she got no more cold sores, which is also a virus.

And always consider any drug interactions. I've been taking Grape Seed Ex for going on 25 yrs so absolutely no virus issues in my body.