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6 answers

fever blisters, otherwise known as cold sores, otherwise known as herpes simplex.

Herpes virus causes them. You can't prevent them other than talking to your doctor about anti-viral medication, which they usually don't give for oral herpes.

As far as treating them? Keep it clean, don't poke at it, and they'll usually go away on their own after a few days to a couple weeks.

Edit: to clear something up--you're getting them because you have herpes. Oral herpes, not genital (which you might have, i don't know you). You will always have herpes, you will always have a chance of breaking out, and you will ALWAYS have a chance to spread herpes to someone else. Don't kiss babies for the love of god, and even though it's not really attractive, you should reeeeeeeally tell someone before you ever kiss them.

2006-10-06 09:02:54 · answer #1 · answered by banzai 4 · 0 0

Fever blisters are caused by a contagious virus called herpes simplex. There are two types of herpes simplex virus. Type 1 usually causes oral herpes, or fever blisters. Type 2 usually causes genital herpes. Although both type 1 and type 2 viruses can infect oral tissues, more than 95 percent of recurrent fever blister outbreaks are caused by the type 1 virus.

Herpes simplex virus is highly contagious when fever blisters are present, and the virus frequently is spread by kissing. Children often become infected by contact with parents, siblings or other close relatives who have fever blisters.

Most people infected with the type 1 herpes simplex virus became infected before they were 10 years old. The virus usually invades the moist membrane cells of the lips, throat or mouth. In most people, the initial infection causes no symptoms. About 15 percent of patients, however, develop many fluid-filled blisters inside and outside the mouth 3 to 5 days after they are infected with the virus. These may be accompanied by fever, swollen neck glands and general aches. The blisters tend to merge and then collapse. Often a yellowish crust forms over the sores, which usually heal without scarring within 2 weeks.

The herpes virus, however, stays in the body. Once a person is infected with oral herpes, the virus remains in a nerve located near the cheekbone. It may stay permanently inactive in this site, or it may occasionally travel down the nerve to the skin surface, causing a recurrence of fever blisters. Recurring blisters usually erupt at the outside edge of the lip or the edge of the nostril, but can also occur on the chin, cheeks, or inside the mouth.

The symptoms of recurrent fever blister attacks usually are less severe than those experienced by some people after an initial infection. Recurrences appear to be less frequent after age 35. Many people who have recurring fever blisters feel itching, tingling or burning in the lip 1 to 3 days before the blister appears.

Several factors weaken the body's defenses and trigger an outbreak of herpes. These include emotional stress, fever, illness, injury and exposure to sunlight. Many women have recurrences only during menstruation. One study indicates that susceptibility to herpes recurrences is inherited.

If fever blisters erupt, keep them clean and dry to prevent bacterial infections. Eat a soft, bland diet to avoid irritating the sores and surrounding sensitive areas. Be careful not to much the sores and spread the virus to new sites, such as the eyes or genitals. To make sure you do not infect others, avoid kissing them or touching the sores and then touching another person.

There is good news for people whose fever blister outbreaks are triggered by sunlight. Scientists at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research have confirmed that sunscreen on the lips can prevent sun-induced recurrences of herpes. They recommend applying the sunscreen before going outside and reapplying it frequently during sun exposure. The researchers used a sunblock with a protection factor of 15 in their studies.

Little is known about how to prevent recurrences of fever blisters triggered by factors other than sunlight. People whose cold sores appear in response to stress should try to avoid stressful situations. Some investigators have suggested adding lysine to the diet or eliminating foods such as nuts, chocolate, seeds or gelatin. These measures have not, however, been proven effective in controlled studies.

2006-10-06 09:07:20 · answer #2 · answered by txgirl_2_98 3 · 1 1

fevers cause fever blisters silly.
There really isnt anything to do. Your getting well and your body is getting rid of all the crap- your fever was actually fighting your infection/sickness. So what is appearing is the bacteria- herpes

2006-10-06 09:03:13 · answer #3 · answered by ♥kailababy♥ 3 · 1 1

Fever blisters are generally called herpes simplex.

2006-10-06 09:02:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

They are a type of hrpes virus. I get them sometimes when I am sick (my resistance is low) or after I've been out in the sun too long. Once you get you are suseptable to getting them again.

2006-10-06 09:15:21 · answer #5 · answered by margarita 7 · 0 0

herpes simplex 2 (campopfoneak) spell wrong i am sure

2006-10-06 09:03:27 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0 0

herpes virus, sorry forgot which one

2006-10-06 09:02:41 · answer #7 · answered by Ha Ha Charade You Are................... 4 · 0 0

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