What are Cold Sores? Cold sore outbreaks are a manifestation of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) that people carry in their body.
The virus hides in your nerve cells where the immune system can't attack it.
After recovery from a primary herpes infection, the virus is not cleared from the body, but rather lies dormant in a non-replicating state within the trigeminal ganglion.
People who suffer from labial herpes are generally infected by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), but the Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2), generally associated with genital herpes, can also manifest itself on the lips, the nose region or even internally in the mouth, eyes and esophagus.
Near 80% of the world population carry the virus, but only 15% to 30% of them suffer from recurrent outbreaks.
Once they are infected by the virus, they are infected for life.
There is no known cure for herpes yet, in fact there is no cure for any virus at all (flu, chicken pox, etc..
).
Usually your immune system can suppress those viruses alone or with the help of a vaccine or anti-viral medication.
The 5 stages of cold sores: 1- The tingling stage: Also called the prodrome stage, lasts from a couple of hours to 1 or 2 days.
A tingling sensation is felt where the cold sore is going to erupt.
This area can become red or feel sensible.
2- The blister stage: It lasts usually for 2 days.
Blisters are filled with a clear fluid and form a cluster.
3- The weeping stage: It only lasts 1 day.
The blisters break open and the clear fluid is released.
This is the most contagious phase because the clear fluid contains literally millions of herpes viruses.
4- The scabbing stage: The scabbing stage last for 2 to 4 days.
The first scab may break open and releases a small amount of blood, it also itches and burns.
A second smaller scab form where the initial one broke open.
5- The healing stage: All the scabs flake off and eventually the cold sore disappear without leaving any scar.
Why am I infected? Somewhere in your life, you have been in contact with the Herpes Simplex Virus.
Many people become infected with HSV-1 during their childhood through interactions with their parents or family (remember all those kisses at Christmas?).
In North America, about 25% of children have been infected by the age of 5 years.
By the age of 15 years, more than 70% of teenagers are infected by the HSV-1.
Some people with HSV-2 cold sores might have contracted the virus while engaging in oral sex with a contaminated partner.
Even if there are no apparent symptoms on the genitals the virus can still be transmitted.
HSV-1 is much easier to transmit than HSV-2, which is why it is more common.
In doubt, consult your doctor to determine which strain of the HSV virus you carry.
Why do they keep coming back? Medical authorities are still clueless as why some people experience outbreaks recurrence.
But it has been suggested in an interesting study that they may have a subtle cellular immune deficiency.
People affected by this mild deficiency still carry the anti-bodies to fight the virus but their cells are more vulnerable to the HSV virus.
What triggers outbreaks? Herpes is an opportunistic virus and outbreaks can be triggered by a number of factors: Unpreventable factors like -Weakened immune system caused by viral or bacterial infection -Menstruation -Upset stomach or Gastrointestinal disturbance -Any disease that increases metabolism (e.
g.
, Diabetes, hyperthyroidism) -Fatigue -Physical injury Preventable factors -Windburn -Ultraviolet radiation (sunshine, tanning booths) -Unbalanced diet -Chilling -Emotional stress -Dry lips -Allergic reactions, including reactions to food