What is a COLD SORE?
- Cold sores (fever blisters) are small red blisters that usually appear on the lip and outer edge of the mouth and are caused by the Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
- These blisters often weep a clear fluid and scab over after a few days.

Causes of COLD SORES
- Cold sores are caused by the activation of the Herpes simplex virus type 1.
- This virus remains dormant in the nerve endings until activated by a number of possible factors.  These factors include physical/emotional stress, illness, fever, sunburn, dryness, skin damage, menstruation, immunosuppression and fatigue.
- Excess sugar and alcohol consumption may also trigger outbreaks.
- It is estimated that between 80% - 90% of the population has this HSV-1 virus while only 20% of the population express the virus in the form of recurrent cold sores.

Common symptoms of COLD SORES
- Cold sores are characterized by the presence of small red blisters on the lip and outer edge of the mouth.
- These blisters may weep a clear fluid and scab after a few days.
- The cold sore lesions may tingle, burn, itch or become painful.
- Do not confuse cold sores with  impetigo.  Impetigo is a bacterial infection that typically develops between the nose and upper lip and weeps a cloudy, honey-colored fluid.

Treatment and prevention of COLD SORES
- There is no cure for HSV-1 and once infected, the patient has it for life.
- HSV-1 is a contagious virus. It can be passed to an individual by direct contact with another individual's active herpes lesion or infected saliva.  The active cold sore area should not come in contact with a significant other during intimate contact.
- Sunscreens should be used on the lips if exposure to the sun is expected.
- Stress, sugar and alcohol consumption should be limited.
- Hands must be washed thoroughly and often to prevent spreading the virus.
- Cold sores usually heal on their own and should be completely gone after about two weeks.
- Non-prescription topical preparations with camphor, menthol, petroleum, etc. may ease some of the pain, cracking and dryness. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
- Topical and oral antiviral medications are effective in healing the lesions and decreasing their duration.  These are available by prescription only (with the exception of Abreva^®).
- A physician should be contacted if the cold sores last longer than two weeks, a fever is present or frequent outbreaks occur.

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This information is of a general nature and may not apply to your special circumstances. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician or an appropriate health care professional.  These monographs are counseling aids for healthcare professionals only and are not to be used as a reference to diagnose or treat medical conditions.          Copyright 2005 RXinsider LTD