Cold Sores

Cold sores are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus I. They first appear 3 to 10 days after exposure and can last for up to 3 weeks. The virus then remains in the body forever, and repeated outbreaks are triggered by several factors.

These factors include: a fever or cold, exposure to the sun, stress, severe fatigue, or suppression of the immune system. These blisters are very contagious. You can even spread them to yourself. Be careful when washing your face when you have an outbreak. Never use the towel you dried your face with on another part of your body.

FACT: 85 to 90 percent of all Americans have the cold-sore virus. And 55 million have recurrent symptoms, so you are not alone if you get them.

The first sign of a developing cold sore is often a tingling or itchy sensation. A small bump will develop; then it will turn into a blister. There may be inflammation in the area, and fluid and or pus may ooze from the blister or blisters. Some people get flu-like symptoms and fever just from a cold-sore outbreak. There is usually less discomfort with recurrence of cold sores than with the initial outbreak.

There are several good over-the-counter topical creams to use on cold sores, like Blistex and Carmex, but they will not prevent sores. Ask your health-care provider about the prescription acyclovir (Zovirax) for the treatment and prevention of Herpes Simplex I. I can tell when I am getting oral herpes by a tingle on my lip; then I use Blistex and take on Acylovir and that prevents a full-blown outbreak for me.

For more on herpes viruses, see Herpes.

Yes, health-care people now believe you can transmit cold sores to other areas of your body; just be very careful when washing your face and with the towel you use.

And of course, oral herpes can be transmitted from giving or receiving oral sex. See Genital Herpes.