There are some things you can do to keep from getting the herpes simplex virus. After you have been infected with the virus, there is no sure way to prevent more cold sores. But there are some things you can do to reduce your number of outbreaks and prevent spreading the virus.
Cold sores are blisters on the lips and the edge of the mouth that are caused by an infection with the herpes simplex virus HSV.
Often the first sign of a cold sore is a spot that tingles, burns, or itches. A blister usually forms within 24 hours. Cold sore blisters usually break open, weep clear fluid, and then crust over and disappear over a few days to 2 weeks.
You may not develop cold sores when you are first infected with HSV. If cold sores do develop when you are first infected, they may be more severe than in later outbreaks. During the first outbreak of cold sores, the blisters may spread to any part of the mouth.
After you become infected, HSV remains in your body and may cause cold sores to return throughout your lifetime recurrent cold sores. Recurrent cold sores usually develop where facial skin and the lip meet. About 6 to 48 hours before a cold sore is visible, you may feel tingling, burning, itching, numbness, tenderness, or pain in the affected area. This is called the prodromal stage. Some common triggers that cause cold sores to return include:. People who have weakened immune systems are more likely than those with strong immune systems to have longer or more severe outbreaks of cold sores.
HSV infection may be life-threatening in certain people who have weak immune systems. Anyone who is exposed to the herpes simplex virus HSV is at risk for developing cold sores. But many people have the virus and may never develop cold sores. People who have weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for having more severe and longer-lasting outbreaks of cold sores. One form of HSV infection, called primary herpes stomatitis, is seen most often in children 1 to 3 years old.
It can cause a high fever and blisters throughout the mouth, which can interfere with the ability to eat. It can be serious in children—they can get quite sick from this illness, although they usually recover without any long-term problems.
Your doctor can diagnose cold sores by asking questions to find out whether you've been exposed to the herpes simplex virus HSV and by examining you. No further testing is usually needed. Both virus types can cause lip and mouth sores herpes labialis and genital herpes if your skin comes into contact with either type.
If it is not clear that you have cold sores, herpes tests may be done. The doctor takes a sample of fluid from a sore and has it tested. Having the sample taken is usually not uncomfortable even if the sore is tender or painful. There is no cure for cold sores, nor is there a cure for the herpes simplex virus HSV that causes them.
Most cold sores will go away on their own. But medicines may slightly reduce the duration of cold sores and sometimes prevent a future outbreak. Treatment with medicines depends on whether you are having a first outbreak or a recurrent outbreak or are trying to prevent future outbreaks.
When treating a first outbreak of cold sores, oral antiviral medicines may reduce pain and slightly improve healing time. For treatment of recurrent cold sores, the following medicines may reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak: footnote 1.
Oral antivirals may also be taken daily to prevent recurring cold sores, especially in people who have frequent and painful outbreaks. If you have a weakened immune system and develop cold sores, you may need medicines to control your symptoms or daily doses to prevent outbreaks. The first episode of cold sores can be so painful that you may have trouble eating, drinking, and sleeping.
A child who has a fever and many mouth sores may need to be encouraged to drink water and other fluids to prevent dehydration. Mouth and teeth. Home Mouth and teeth. Cold sores. Actions for this page Listen Print.
Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. HSV infection is very common Around 90 per cent of adults have herpes simplex antibodies in their bloodstream, which means that they have been infected with the virus at some time. These can include: fever tiredness blisters lesions and ulcers in and around the mouth swelling pain inside the mouth and on the gums a sore throat swollen neck glands.
Triggers for cold sores In some people the HSV infection causes cold sores, which erupt following a trigger event such as a cold. Other triggers that may cause an attack of cold sores include: feverish illnesses, like influenza, or chest infections sunlight exposure to windy conditions hormonal changes, such as the menstrual period emotional or physical stress.
Cold sore symptoms Cold sores usually develop as follows: Most people experience localised itching and tingling a day or two before the cold sore appears. A collection of small blisters forms. These blisters can be accompanied by pain, tenderness and a sensation of heat and burning.
The blisters burst after a few days. The site develops a crust. The crust dries up and eventually falls off after about 10 days. Cold sore complications Cold sores are an annoying problem for most people who get them, but they get better without any specific treatment. Uncommon complications that require medical attention include: bacterial infections — possible symptoms include redness around the blisters, pus in the blisters and fever cold sores that spread to the eyes, fingers or other parts of the body — a cold sore in the eye causes a painful red eye.
Immediate medical attention should be sought, as the herpes virus causes an ulcer on the cornea that can damage sight. However, permanent damage can usually be prevented by early treatment, including medication to suppress the virus. There are other more common causes of a painful red eye, which also require medical review.
There is more than one type of herpes infection There are two types of herpes simplex infection: herpes simplex virus type 1 HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 HSV How HSV is transmitted The herpes simplex virus spreads between people, usually through contact with saliva or direct contact with a blister.
How to avoid transmitting HSV If you have a cold sore, be sure to wash your hands after touching it and be especially careful to avoid touching your own eyes after touching your cold sore. Most people are exposed to the virus when they're young after close skin to skin contact, such as kissing, with someone who has a cold sore. It does not usually cause any symptoms until you're older. You will not know if it's in your skin unless you get a cold sore.
Page last reviewed: 20 July Next review due: 20 July Cold sores. Check if it's a cold sore A cold sore usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling.
Over the next 48 hours: Small fluid-filled blisters appear. Cold sores on the lips can be embarrassing and tough to hide. But, turns out, you might not have a reason to be embarrassed. Now, a very small percentage of those people will actually develop cold sores.
Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic, says, genetics determines whether a person will develop cold sores.
The problem is people can spread the herpes virus whether they develop cold sores or not. Herpes virus spreads through physical contact like kissing, sharing a toothbrush — even sharing a drinking glass — or through sexual contact. Almost everyone is at risk of cold sores. Most adults carry the virus that causes cold sores, even if they've never had symptoms. You're most at risk of complications from the virus if you have a weakened immune system from conditions and treatments such as:.
In some people, the virus that causes cold sores can cause problems in other areas of the body, including:. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication for you to take on a regular basis if you develop cold sores more than nine times a year or if you're at high risk of serious complications.
If sunlight seems to trigger your recurrences, apply sunblock to the spot where the cold sore tends to erupt. Or talk with your doctor about using an oral antiviral drug as a preventive if you expect to be doing an activity that tends to trigger your condition, such as intense sunlight exposure.
To help avoid spreading cold sores to other people or to other parts of your body, you might try some of the following precautions:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Cold sore Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Cold sore Cold sores, often called fever blisters, are clustered, small, fluid-filled blisters.
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