“Cold sores” is a common term used for a herpes simplex virus outbreak. The herpes simplex virus is a virus that lies dormant in the nerves or the skin of an infected person, unless a trigger sets the virus off to cause another eruption.
Cold sore outbreaks are marked by painful, watery blisters on the skin, the lips, or the genitals of the infected person. When a blister begins to form, the infected person may feel itching or burning in the area around the mouth or nose, and within a few hours, the area may become reddened. After a day or a few days, a small fluid-filled blister will form, and several smaller blisters may join to form one bigger blister. After a few days, the blister will disappear, usually without scarring.
Most people who carry the herpes simplex virus do not even know that they have it. What’s more dangerous is the fact that even if the virus is dormant, you can still infect other people, usually by close contact with other people such as skin contact, kissing and sexual activities.
What triggers the virus?
The exact things that may trigger the virus to cause sores are not really known at this time. However, many people have reported that increased exposure to the sun and allergies cause the sores to break out. Stress is also reported to be a trigger for the sores to break out, and scientists have theorized that this may be due to the relative weakness of the immune system to keep the herpes simplex virus at bay during stressful times.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of cold sores is usually by examining the blisters. Usually, there is no need to seek further laboratory tests for confirmation. Also, special tests may be done by taking samples of the fluid excreted by the blisters, if the diagnosis is unclear.
Treatment
Sadly, there is no known cure for the herpes simplex virus. The infected person may only take medication to control the outbreak, not to purge the virus. An example of such drugs that may be given is acyclovir, as this may shorten the length of the outbreak. Also, analgesics may help the infected person deal with the pain that is felt during cold sore outbreaks.
Prevention
The best course of action for infected people is to stop the spread of the virus. If an outbreak occurs, it is best to wash hands often, especially after touching the face or the blister. Also, do not share towels or cups with anyone to further lessen the risk of passing the virus.
Condoms during intercourse are recommended to reduce the chance of transmitting the herpes simplex virus. Also, using valaciclovir with condoms will further reduce the chances of transmission,
Also, recommended ways to keep the virus dormant include managing stress properly, adequate sleep and nutrition, as well as taking multivitamins to strengthen the immune system. Also avoid the touching the blisters as much as possible to prevent transmitting the blister to another part of the body.
When To Seek Medical Help
During outbreaks, if your sores develop pus, or if you develop a fever higher than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit, or if you develop eye irritations, or if you have another illness that weakens your immune system, then you should seek medical help immediately.
