Cold Sores
Cam Teagarden
Causes
Cold Sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. There are two kinds of Herpes simplex viruses. HSV Type 1- Sores on the lips and around the mouth. HSV Type 2- Sores on and around the genitals.
Symptoms and What is going Wrong
Symptoms of cold sores are tingling and itching around the mouth. Small blisters around the mouth and dry spots around the mouth. What is going wrong is that the Herpes Simplex Virus causes small blisters around the mouth and those crack open and cause sores then they turn into bigger blisters.
Femal with a cold sore
Percentage of people with HSV Type 1&2
Male with cold sores
Treatments and Preventions
To treat cold sores a doctor can give someone medication to stop the sores from getting to big and blistering. They can also give someone gel to stop the blistering and calm down the pain. To prevent from getting the the Herpes Simplex Virus do not have sexual contact with someone who has cold sores.
Interesting Fact
As many as 90% of people will have or have had a cold sore before. For most people they do not come back because after the first time your body creates antibodies to stop the virus.