Friday, June 22, 2007

Cold sores - All About Cold Sores- 1

A virus called HSV causes herpes simplex. HSV are of two types- HSV1 and HSV2. HSV 1 normally causes oral herpes or cold sores. The virus is normally contacted during childhood when an infected person kisses a child. Though HSV2 can also occur in the oral area, it rarely causes oral herpes. But the virus that causes cold sores can easily cause genital herpes. Let us find out more about cold sores.

Cold sores- Symptoms-

Cold sores are also called fever blisters. The symptoms commonly appear on the lips. The other places that can get affected are - areas around the lips, on or inside the nose, cheek or chin. Usually most occurrences take place on and around the lips. Small fluid filled blisters appear on the affected skin singly or in a bunch. Over time, they ooze and crust over and resolve. If the sores are severe, this can be quite painful and troublesome. If the symptoms are mild, they can be confused with chapped lips, pimples, etc. Happily the recurrent episodes are milder than the first in most of the patients.

A phase called prodrome is present before the blisters appear. A day or two days before the appearance the affected skin may tingle, itch or pain. After that, the blisters will appear. The signs appear after about three weeks of contacting the virus. The blisters resolve within about ten days of appearance. After the symptoms resolve, the virus goes to the sleeping stage inside the body. It reappears as active cold sores, whenever the virus is triggered.

We will discuss about prevention and treatment in the next article.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

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