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Overview
Cold sores are small, fluid-filled blisters that usually appear on or around the lips and mouth. They can appear on their own or in small clusters.
In most cases, the blisters will break, creating a scab that eventually falls off. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
HSV-1 is very contagious. You can spread the virus even when you don’t have any symptoms of a cold sore, though you’re usually most contagious when you have them. However, this is much less likely than if contact occurred when a cold sore was present.
Cold sores are contagious until they go away completely, which usually takes about two weeks. This means the common belief that cold sores aren’t contagious once they’ve scabbed over isn’t true.
Keep reading to learn more about how cold sores spread and how you can protect those around you when you have one.
HSV-1 is spread by close contact with skin or saliva, such as kissing, oral sex, or even sharing eating utensils or towels. The virus enters the body through a break in the skin, such as a small cut.
Once you’ve contracted HSV-1, you have it for life.
However, some people with HSV-1 never have any symptoms. This is because the virus can lie dormant in your nerve cells until something triggers its reactivation. You can still pass the virus to other people while it’s dormant.
Things that can reactivate HSV-1 include:
- stress
- fatigue
- infection or fever
- hormonal changes
- sun exposure
- surgery or physical injury
HSV-1 is very common. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 50 percent to 80 percent of people in the United States are living with HSV-1. In addition, most adults are exposed to the virus by the age of 50.
However, reactivation of the virus tends to decrease in people over the age of 35.
If you’re worried someone may have spread the virus to you, keep an eye out for these early signs in any spots near or around your mouth:
- tingling
- swelling
- soreness
If you’ve never had a cold sore before, you might also notice:
- fever
- painful mouth sores on your tongue or gums
- sore throat or pain while swallowing
- swollen lymph nodes in your neck
- headache
- general aches and pains
There’s no way to get rid of HSV-1 once you have it. However, there are several things you can do to help manage your symptoms.
Prescription antiviral medication can help speed up the healing process of cold sores. These often come as either pills or creams.
For severe infections, you may need an injection of antiviral medication. Common antiviral medications for cold sores include valacyclovir (Valtrex) and acyclovir (Zovirax).
You can also use over-the-counter cold sore treatments, such as docosanol (Abreva), to help heal cold sores.
Shop online for cold sore treatments.
To reduce redness and swelling, try applying a cold compress or ice cube to the area. You can also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil), to reduce inflammation.
If you have cold sores, you can help prevent transmission of HSV-1 by:
- avoiding close physical contact, such as kissing or oral sex, until the sore is fully healed
- not touching your cold sore unless you’re applying a topical medication
- not sharing items that might have been in contact with your mouth, such as eating utensils or cosmetics
- being extra careful about avoiding close physical contact with babies and people with weakened immune systems, who are both more vulnerable to infection
Cold sores are small blisters that occur on and around your lips and mouth. They’re caused by a virus called HSV-1. Once you contract HSV-1, you have the virus for life. While you’ll always be able to spread the virus, you’re most contagious when you have an active cold sore.
What is herpes and is there a cure for it? Read on to learn about the contagious herpes simplex virus.
What is Herpes?
Herpes is a contagious viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two members of the herpes simplex virus family: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1, or oral herpes, can cause cold sores and blisters around the mouth and on one’s face, while HSV-2 can lead to genital herpes outbreaks.
Although generally a mild infection, herpes can lead to itchy and painful blisters that recur periodically, affecting your everyday activities. The infection may also lead to potentially fatal complications for newborns, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Herpes Causes and Risk Factors
Anyone can be infected with HSV, which spreads through skin-to-skin contact and exposure to the saliva of an infected person. This means that herpes can be transmitted through various forms of direct contact, from kissing to the sharing of eating utensils.
Genital herpes also spreads through unprotected sexual intercourse. Pregnant mothers with genital herpes may risk passing the infection and related complications such as meningitis, seizures, blindness or mental disabilities to their unborn children.
Herpes Symptoms and Signs
The HSV-1 strain usually manifests as cold sores or blisters on the lip, inside the mouth or on the genitals. The eyes and nervous system can be affected too. These sores and blisters may, at times, develop into painful ulcers. Other common symptoms of HSV-1 include:
•Swollen, red gums
•A white coating on the tongue
•Swollen neck glands
•A fever
•Muscle aches
These
symptoms may not occur immediately upon infection, and could appear days, weeks or even years after you have been infected with herpes.
The HSV-2 strain can lead to genital herpes, affecting the vagina or penis and scrotum, as well as the buttocks and rectal area. This HSV strain may also infect the mouth during oral sex.
Some common symptoms associated with HSV-2 are:
•An itching or painful sensation around your genitals or anal region
•Painful, oozing sores
•Pain during urination
•Swollen lymph nodes
•A fever
Unlike most other viruses, the herpes simplex virus cannot be permanently removed from the body and continues to reside in the nerves. As such, there is always a possibility of the symptoms surfacing again. This may happen when your body is under physical or mental stress. Hormonal changes caused by changes in your body, including pregnancy and menstruation, can also cause these symptoms to flare up.
Complications of Herpes
Serious complications that may arise from an HSV infection include:
•An eye infection and scarring of the eye without immediate medical attention
•Brain damage, seizures and blindness or even death of a newborn if the mother has herpes
Herpes: Screening and Diagnosis
An HSV infection is commonly diagnosed through a physical examination of a person’s skin lesions. Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests, including blood tests, microscopic examinations and viral culture tests, if results from the physical examination are uncertain. Do note that some tests are only valid in the early stages of a herpes simplex virus infection.
Herpes Treatment Methods
There is currently no cure for herpes but oral
antiviral medications are available to treat sores, speed up the healing process and limit outbreaks. You may consult your doctor for more advice.
Prevention of Herpes
There is no available vaccine that prevents the spread of this contagious viral infection. However, there are ways to protect yourself and others from contracting herpes.
These include:
•Not sharing food and utensils with others who have cold sores or ulcers
• Avoiding close, physical contact with infected persons
•Practising safe sex and informing your partner immediately if you have genital herpes
•Maintaining a strong immune system through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and rest