Herpes simplex virus is a type of viral disease caused by the Herpes simplex virus, usually transmitted through the body fluids or skin-to-skin contact. There are two types of the disease, type one is more common, usually concerning infections in the oral area and causing cold sores to form on the mucosa or lip. The second type is sexually transmitted, causing inflamed vesicles to form around the genital area. Anti-viral drugs can help alleviate the severity of the disease. However, no cure has been identified, even though the symptoms may disappear after the initial outbreak, the virus remains in the body throughout a person’s lifetime.
During times when the immune system becomes compromised, the symptoms may still occur, though the intensity of the symptoms could decrease. The carrier could still transmit the virus to others even after they haven’t shown symptoms in years. Aspirin is a common drug used for a variety of medical purposes. It could be used as an analgesic to relive mild pain, it could be used as antipyretic to reduce fever, or it could be used as an anti-inflammatory drug. A long-term, low-dosage intake of aspirin could even help reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and formation of blood clots.
Mild analgesics like aspirin works by inhibiting the formation of substances like prostaglandins, which stimulate pain receptors and cause fever, pain and swelling. However, even though it is a popular drug, it does have some side effects like the possibility of causing gastrointestinal bleeding. Or in rare cases, causing a disease called Reye’s syndrome, which consists of liver and brain disorder in children. As mentioned before, HSV cannot be completely cleansed from the body. During a period when the immune system is particularly weak, the symptoms may reappear.
In the case of the oral herpes, the virus usually remains latent at the sensory nerves after the initial infection. At special times, they may travel to the mucosa of lips and gums then start reproducing and infecting the healthy cells. This subsequently leads to inflammation and swelling of the tissue, which would eventually turn into the painful cold sores. The symptoms usually last for around two weeks before subsiding again. As aspirin possesses anti-inflammatory properties, it could be possible to treat the inflammation brought by the infection so the duration and severity of the cold sores can decrease.
RESEARCH QUESTION Whether or daily intake of aspirin have an effect on the duration period of the cold sores caused by HSV type 1 infection VARIABLES Independent variable: Intake of aspirin Dependent variable: Duration of the cold sores Controlled variable: Physiology of test subjects, diet, stress, dosage and quality of aspirin taken, environment, medical history APPARATUS Aspirin, placebo, swabs, magnifying glass, ruler PROCEDURE The first year should be spent finding the appropriate test subjects. 5000 people are chosen that fits the criteria for the clinical trials.
First of all, swabs should be taken of cold sores, and the fluid will be used in a DNA test to confirm that the test subjects are HSV type 1 positive. They must 20 to 60 of age, not allergic to aspirin; don’t have hemophilia or other bleeding tendencies. Their medical history should be checked to make sure they are relatively healthy, not pregnant, with no major diseases in the past or a condition that would either affect the HSV or a condition that doesn’t allow daily intake of aspirin. The test subjects should be spread evenly between the two sex groups and the age groups.
Their mental states should be checked to confirm that they have no activities that cause major pressure in the next year, like moving or divorce. When the patients feel a bump or formation of a sore on their lips, they will contact the hospital and be brought there. During their stay at the hospital, they will be given the same diet, with no alcohol. Half of the patients will be given aspirin, 325mg every four hours. The other half will be given a placebo that looks identical to the aspirin and in the same dosage and time.
The aspirin should come from the same manufacture, so the quality is the same. Through the time of the infection, many observations are made daily about the cold sore. The size of the sores will be measured daily. After the sore has subsided completely (showing no redness or swelling at all), the duration time is noted and the patient can return home. The data collected through the trials of the 5000 patients is organized to deduce whether usage of aspirin has successfully lowered the severity and duration of cold sores or not.