A new treatment originally meant for herpes eye infections could clear cold sores faster than any other drug currently available.

Scientists at the University of Illinois in the US found that the new drug compound called BX795 doesn’t attack the cold sore virus like other medications but stops host cells from making proteins that feed the cold sore virus.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV1 and HSV2) are two nearly genetically identical strains out of the eight in the herpes virus family that commonly affect humans.

Once a person is infected with the herpes virus, it remains in their system for life, lying dormant between outbreaks.

Three medications - acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir – are antivirals that can treat either form of herpes, but nothing can cure the virus.

Many people become resistant to these drugs after taking them to suppress the virus, rendering treatment ineffective.

The new drug, however, works on people who have become resistant to common anti-viral medications.

A more natural but very effective treatment for reducing the frequency and intensity of cold sore outbreaks is Liquorice Balm. This balm has been trialled by the Herpes Virus Association and found to be effective at reducing cold sores.