Petroleum based ointments should not be used because they promote viral spread and delay healing. If secondary infection of the skin lesions occur, topical antibiotics such as neomycin-bacitracin ointment, or oral antibiotics, are indicated. The lesions generally heal on their own in 7 to 10 days. Once infected, the virus stays in the body for the rest of a person's life and recurrences of active infection may happen. Some people never have another episode, and some have 4 or 5 recurrences a year.
Subsequent infections tend to occur after exposure to the sun and stressful events.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if herpes symptoms do not resolve in 7 to 10 days, or if there are frequent recurrences of symptoms. The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use .