Cold sores, otherwise known as fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the edge of the mouth and lip. Around the blisters, the skin can become inflamed and red. A clear fluid will weep out of the blisters if they break open and then, after a few days, the cold sore will scab over. It may take 7 to 10 days for complete healing of the cold sore.

The Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV causes cold sores and there are usually two types of the HSV. Herpes Simplex One usually results in mouth and lip sores and Herpes Simplex 2 will generally lead to genital herpes. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can create cold sores or genital herpes if either type comes into contact with the skin.

You can have no symptoms and still be infected with HSV. Cold sores can be very painful for many people. Mouth soreness, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and fever are many of the initial signs of HSV. Before a cold sore appears, small children tend to drool. After the development of a cold sore, the blisters will break open, secrete a clear fluid and scab over, disappearing after several days.

By examination, cold sores can be diagnosed by a doctor or other health professional by simply asking questions regarding if you have been exposed or not to HSV. No other testing is needed.

Within a few days, cold sores tend to go away. Nevertheless, severe cold sores that cause you discomfort or are an embarrassment, can be treated. Treatments commonly used are, topical creams, anti-viral medicines and ointments. Though treatment only shortens the duration of a cold sore by 1 or 2 days, they do assist in helping pain and itching.

There is no cure for cold sores or HSV, but if they reoccur frequently, treatment can aid in reducing the severity and number of occurrences.

Cold sores can be spread through a break in the body's skin or inside the mouth. Also, coughing, sneezing and direct contact with a cold sore can also aid in the spread of the virus. Touching fluid that has been contaminated, i.e. kissing an affected person, will also cause spread.

By touching a cold sore or using the same items that an infected person has been using, the virus can spread from one area of someone's body to another area. An infection in a child is usually caused by the spread of his or her parent.

At the sign or outbreak of a cold sore or HSV, caution should be taken to alleviate any further spread of the virus. Do not drink out of the same glasses or use the same towels as an infected person. Those that are infected should wash their hands regularly, especially after application of topical medications and ointments. Seek help from a medical professional regarding prescriptions for more severe cases or cases that are reoccurring frequently. As stated previously, there is no cure for HSV, but with treatment, the outbreaks can be minimized, far less severe and easier to tolerate.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Cold Sores