What are colds sores?
Cold sores are groups of fluid filled blisters, which may grow
in size causing irritation and pain. The blisters associated
with cold sores may weep and then crust or scab over. An
outbreak usually starts with a tingling sensation around the
mouth, chin, nose or other areas of the face.
Cold sores are a highly contagious common illness, caused
by a strain of the herpes simplex virus called Type 1 (HSV-1). There
are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus:
HSV1 -
the most common type usually causing cold sores (oral herpes)
HSV2
- causes genital herpes
Symptoms
The first time you get a cold sore attack,
the symptoms can be different for everyone:
| • |
You may show no symptoms
at all |
| • |
You may have trivial symptoms
such as a small spot which you do not realise is even
a cold sore |
Further cold sore outbreaks may start with a tingling sensation
around the mouth, chin, nose or other areas of the face before
the blisters appear. For most people cold sores can
disappear within a week to 10 days.
Reference: www.netdoctor.co.uk and www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk |
