Cold sores are caused by a virus, the herpes simplex virus or HSV. There are two kinds of herpes simplex virus, called type 1 and type 2. While both types can cause cold sores, type 1 is the variety usually responsible. Type 2 HSV is found in genital herpes and is much more rare than type 1 HSV.
HSV-1 is the most common cause of cold sores. Most people are exposed to HSV-1 between the ages of three to five. There are many ways that a person can become infected by HSV-1, including among them coming into close contact with a person who has a cold sore, ingesting contaminated fluids that have been sneezed or coughed into the air, or by coming into contact with objects that a person with a cold sore touched or used. Although most people are first infected with the HSV-1 virus early in life, they do not get their first cold sore until after puberty. Once someone is infected with HSV-1, the virus remains with them for the rest of their lives.
HSV-2 is much less common than HSV-1. It primarily causes genital herpes. HSV-2 usually only affect body parts that are below a person’s waist, but in rare cases, it can cause a person to get cold sores.
Once a person is infected with HVS-1, a number of things can cause cold sores. A bad cold, a case of the flu, or any sort of disease that affects the immune system can lead to the appearance of cold sores. Extremely chapped or sunburned lips can increase the chance of a cold sore outbreak. Women who are pregnant or menstruating also have an increased risk of cold sores.
But cold sores are not just caused by physical factors. Emotional stress or prolonged upset is another factor that can bring about a cold sore outbreak. Another factor that has been seen to increase the risk of an outbreak is physical stress or fatigue. All of these stress factors weaken the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight the outbreak.
Many people experience cold sores only a few times in their life, while others have them much more regularly. There is no cure for cold sores. And with so many different causes that people have no control over, treatment and therapy by trained professionals are often the best ways to manage troublesome outbreaks.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Are Cold Sores Contagious?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
When someone gets a cold sore or knows someone who has one, it is not uncommon for them to wonder, “Are cold sores contagious?” And the answer to this question is yes, cold sores are contagious in more ways than one. The herpes simplex virus...
-
What Exactly is a Cold Sore?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are small wounds that appear on the lips or around the mouth. These sores seemingly appear at random and can be both painful and embarrassing. The reality is that the herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes cold sores. Most people...
-
Is There a Cure For Cold Sores?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
One question on the minds of many people who frequently suffer from cold sores is “is there a cure for cold sores?” Sadly, the answer is no. But while there is no cold sores cure, there are numerous preventive measures people can take to keep...
-
Home Remedies for Cold Sores
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
There are a large number of home remedies for cold sores. In some cases these traditional treatments have been known to work as well as antiviral pills or numbing creams. One advantage of using a home remedy for cold sores is that treatment can begin...
-
A Look at Cold Sore Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Cold sores usually disappear without any type of medication in about a week to ten days. Many people choose to wait out their cold sores, just ignoring them until they go away. Others decide that ten days is too long to have a large, painful,...
-
Genital Herpes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Genital herpes is transmitted sexually by the HSV-2 virus. The primary symptoms of the disease are the blisters or sores that appear on the genital area. Other symptoms of the disease include a constant pain in the legs, buttocks or the genital area. Women have...
-
Herpes Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Herpes, both genital and oral is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. There are two strains of this virus, HSV-1 AND HSV-2. HSV-1 is known to cause oral Herpes, while genital herpes is caused by the HSV-2 virus. The common symptom for these two diseases...
-
Herpes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Herpes is a sexually transmitted viral disease caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. Two strains of this virus have been identified – HSV I and HSV2. The HSV-I virus is known to cause oral herpes. Oral herpes is a disease that affects the mouth. Cold...
-
Herpes Cure
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. There are two strains of this virus- HSV-1 and HSV-2 and they cause two variants of the disease, oral and genital herpes. While there is no cure for herpes, the illness itself can be...
-
Oral Herpes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Herpes, both oral and genital, is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. While oral Herpes is caused by HSV-1, genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the HSV-2 virus. The common symptoms for both oral and genital herpes include the appearance of sores...