Many people choose to treat herpes simplex because treatment can relieve symptoms and shorten an outbreak. Most people are treated with an antiviral medicine. An antiviral cream or ointment can ...

Antiviral drugs, like Valtrex (valacyclovir) and Zovirax (acyclovir), not only heal herpes sores faster than other options, ...

such as through kissing or sharing food or drinks. And it’s not always easy to tell whether someone is contagious, Dr. Blumberg said. People can transmit oral herpes without a visible cold sore.