4 min read
Cold sores are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth. They are caused by the common and highly contagious herpes simplex virus. You may not experience any symptoms when you first become infected with the virus. Read to learn more about the symptoms, causes, risk factors and treatment of cold sores.
Cold sores are small and fluid-filled blisters that commonly develop around the lips, mouth and nose. They are caused by herpes simplex virus which is highly contagious and can be spread by kissing or sharing utensils or towels. You may not have any symptoms when you first become infected with the virus, until an outbreak of cold sores happens sometime later. If you suddenly develop a tingling, itching or burning sensation around your mouth or face, it could be an early sign of cold sores.
Cold sores are caused by the infection of herpes simplex virus, some may not experience any symptoms when they first become infected with the virus. However, if you do develop cold sores, symptoms may include:
If the primary infection of herpes simplex virus does cause symptoms, they can be more severe than the cold sores, which include:
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of the herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) usually causes cold sore and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) usually causes genital herpes with painful blisters on the genital area. Occasionally, cold sores can also be caused by HSV-2.
In most cases, the virus is passed on in early childhood such as when a child is kissed by a family member with a cold sore. After being infected by HSV-1, the virus never goes away and it can pass through the skin and remain dormant (inactive) in a group of nerve cells in the face. When the virus is triggered, it activates and travels through the nerve to the face and develops into a cold sore.
In many cases, there’s no obvious trigger for an outbreak of cold sores. Factors thought to trigger activation of HSV-1 include:
Cold sores are often diagnosed based on the presenting history and clinical examination of the lesions. If the diagnosis is unclear, doctors may swab the sore and send it to the laboratory for examination under the microscope to identify the pathogens.
Cold sores will usually clear up within 7-10 days without any treatment. Cold sore cream or antiviral tablets can be used to alleviate the symptoms and speed up the healing time. However, the treatment does not get rid of the herpes simplex virus or prevent future outbreaks of cold sores from occurring.
Medical management of cold sores includes:
General advice on cold sores management includes:
Cold sores are an annoying problem, but they get better without any specific treatment in most people. However, in people with suppressed immune systems (such as undergoing chemotherapy, taking high doses of corticosteroids or having human immunodeficiency virus - HIV), the cold sores can spread more widely and symptoms can be more severe.
Uncommon but serious complications of cold sore that require medical attention include:
Since cold sores are spread through direct physical contact, the best method of prevention is to avoid physical contact with a person’s sores when they have an outbreak. Things you can do to prevent getting herpes simplex virus include:
After being infected with herpes simplex virus, there is no sure way to prevent more cold sores, but there are things you can do to prevent the outbreaks and spreading of the virus.
Having cold sores does not necessarily mean you have an STD. Most of the cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), which is generally transmitted through direct and physical contact, less so but could still potentially be transmitted through sexual contact. Though less commonly, cold sores may be caused by another type of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), a strain of herpes simplex virus that is most commonly associated with genital herpes and is almost exclusively transmitted through sex or other direct genital contacts.
Factors that can trigger an outbreak of cold sores include having another infection such as a common cold or chest infection, emotional or physical stress, exposure to strong sunlight, hormonal changes such as menstruation period and injury to the affected area.
The exact time it takes for a cold sore to heal varies between individuals. Most cold sores will get better within 7 - 10 days without any treatment.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
Healthy Matters is Hong Kong’s leading health resource. Our mission is to help you make better health decisions and take control of your health.
Our team of experts is committed to producing reliable health content that is accurate, engaging and relevant, to cover your health & wellness journey from prevention to treatment.
Whether you are looking for trusted information on health conditions, wellbeing or looking for the right doctor or service in Hong Kong, we’re here to help!
Your health matters. Begin your health journey with Healthy Matters today!