2006-10-24 13:34:44 · 7 answers · asked by kelliemag 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Cold sores are *very* contagious. Keep him or her away from any other children you have until it goes away. There's not much you can do to get them to go away, and in a two year old I wouldn't suggest trying the methods you'll find online. You can use Carmex to make it feel better. It should heal on it's own in about a week or so.
2006-10-24 13:39:35 · answer #1 · answered by Min02 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cold sores are sometimes just external canker sores, and there are over the counter medicated lip treatments for them.
Most are caused by the herpes virus (HSV) and will eventually heal on their own, but it's best to get a prescription for the medication. I have fever blisters caused by the herpes virus, (bad case of chicken pox as a kid) and my doctor prescribes Valtrex or Famvir. I've found that the herbal suggestions just don't work. Abreva ointment will help with the topical pain also.
I pulled this off one of the sites:
About Herpes
Herpes is a virus, specifically "herpes virus hominus". Simplex is a sub-category of that family. Simplex falls into four categories, types 1, 2, 6, and 8. Generally type I infects the mouth in humans and type II affects the genital tract, but there is a substantial overlap. Type 6 causes an infection of infancy and Type 8 has been associated with Kaposi's Sarcoma which is seen in HIV.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) has a vast presence in humans. It has been estimated that 90% of humans experience oral herpes infections by the age of ten years old, an acute episode manifesting as infected gums and lips, causing high fevers. A substantial portion of the population has recurrent oral herpes infection, showing up "cold sores" on lips and on the sides of the mouth, and sometimes elsewhere on the face.
Herpes infects the nerve cells of the spinal cord of the pelvis (in the setting of genital herpes) and of the nerve ganglia serving the face at the base of the brain - in the setting of oral herpes. Herpes is a DNA-type virus, inserting its DNA directly into the nucleus of the nerve cell. Once the viral information is inserted into the cells' nuclei, this blending of viral genetic information with human genetic information becomes permanent. The nerve cell then becomes a factory for making more of the herpes virus
It's no biggie, but is HORRIBLY contagious with contact.
2006-10-24 13:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by ihave5katz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Herpes Simplex, very contagious, you can carry it with out even knowing. It shows up as cold sores in some people , whereas others are silent carriers making it easy to spread.
2006-10-24 13:43:35 · answer #3 · answered by mickattafe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cold sores are herpes! Yes, it is contagious. Talk to your pediatrician as to what kind of medication can be used on this young child.
2006-10-24 13:38:39 · answer #4 · answered by gator girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are! It is Herpes and very contagious when showing (open sores). Try Blistex ointment on the sore and it will go away or ask your local pharmisist for their opinion on what to use.
2006-10-24 13:39:19 · answer #5 · answered by Doug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cold Sores are caused by a virus, HPV. keep it moist, since she is young, it should dry up in a few days. they spread, but are not contagious. you may cantract the virus if you do not already have it.
2006-10-24 13:37:17 · answer #6 · answered by back2good1225 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
buy some witch hazel u can buy it at the drug store
2006-10-24 14:03:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋