By John Steele
Cold sores also called fever blisters are caused by the virus known as herpes simplex type1 (HSV-1). There are eight different kinds of human herpes virus but only herpes simplex 1 and 2 can cause fever blisters. Though herpes simplex virus type 1 is responsible for most cold sores in the area of the lips, both herpes virus 1 and 2 can cause lesions on the lips or the genitals. But herpes simplex type 1 is usually responsible for recurrent cold sores that occur on the mouth and nose.
A cold sore presents as a small painful fluid filled blister that appears on the lip or edge of the mouth in an area called the vermilion border, they can appear alone or form small clusters. The skin around the blister becomes red or inflamed. The blisters will often break open and weep clear fluid. When a fever blister erupts large numbers of herpes virus particles are shed or released and as a result it is easy to infect others with the virus at this time. This is the period when the virus is most virulent and good hand washing and attention to personal hygiene will help protect you from spreading the virus to your family or others. After the blister breaks open and begins to dry out it usually heals with 7 to 10 days.
Cold sores should not be confused with Canker sores, which only occur inside the soft tissue of the mouth and are not viral in origin. Some cold sores will announce their arrival several days before they appear. The lip may begin to tingle or throb for no apparent reason and a few days later a red tender sore emerges. Sometimes this blister is mistaken for a zit, but unlike a pimple a fever blister oozes a clear fluid.
Many times fever blisters appear after a cold, exposure to the sun, periods of high stress or during menstruation. Any stressor that weakens the immune system may allow stimulate the herpes virus into exacerbation. If a person has chronic outbreaks of fever blisters it's probably a sign the immune system has been weakened or compromised and it would be a good idea to see a physician.
Any one can become infected with the herpes virus and most people with the virus are infected before the age of ten. Once you are infected with the virus you're infected for life. By the age of 14 more than 70% of children test positive for HSV-1 virus. The virus affects everyone differently. After the first attack some people never have another, while others have attacks infrequently, and others have them quite often.
Some scientists believe that once your infected you will always be potentially contagious. They claim that a person infected can have active herpes virus in the saliva. Though this view is extreme it's a good idea to keep in mind 7 out of 10 people carry the virus and about a third of them don't even know it because they never have a cold sore out break.
Cold sores are insidious and can cause emotional distress. Unfortunately, at this time there is no cure for fever blisters. But there are remedies for them, which are quite effective, and herpes simplex - 1 can be managed. Don't let cold sores interfere with your life there is effective treatment that will reduce their severity and frequency of their outbreaks..
Want to learn more about the latest treatment for cold sores? http://www.simplex1.info/
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posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 10:58 AM
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