The Easiest Way To Treat Your Cold Sores Quickly
Cold sores, also commonly known as fever blisters or oral herpes, are caused by HSV-1, or the herpes simplex virus. Many find these sores to be irritating, painful and ugly, and it is a highly common affliction, being suffered by 4 out 5 people in the population. Though rarely a true danger, they can cause blindness when spread to the eyes, and can be fatal in those with suppressed immune systems.
Because cold sores are so very common, there is not a large amount of social stigmata attached to them as in the cases of most other viruses that cause visible symptoms. There still has to be caution used, however, because they are a highly contagious virus, and can be spread to any other place on the body that contains mucous membranes or through a cut in the skin.
From contraction of the virus to the first physical manifestations, a period of one or two weeks may pass. The first outbreak can cause a sore throat, making it hard to swallow, fever, swollen glands, and also blisters in and around the mouth, nose and throat; the first outbreak is usually worse than any other.
Many causes can be attributed to triggering a cold sore outbreak. Chapping of the lips or sunburn, as well as a fever, emotional or physical stressors, or an illness can trigger an outbreak. Pregnancy and menstruation can also bring out an outbreak due to hormonal levels fluctuating in the body. If symptoms of oral herpes start to show in anyone that has an immunity deficiency, there should be no hesitation in seeing or speaking with a doctor.
There are many prescriptions and over the counter medications that can help ease itching, discomfort and the redness of cold sores, as well as possibly shorten the time of an outbreak. In some cases, when continual outbreaks occur, a physician may want the individual to continually apply a medication or take an oral form of medication.
The herpes simplex virus is not curable, so sufferers can only treat symptoms. Washing hands often, especially after touching a lesion, and not touching other parts of the body can help prevent the spread of cold sores to other mucous membranes or other people.
The author has been in the field of cold sore remedies for a long time and maintains a website about how to get rid of cold sores fast where you can get answers to the rest of your questions.
