2006-12-03 17:32:47 · 6 answers · asked by smilingontime 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
It's a viral infection and just like a virus it won't go away, no cure and it can happen again at any time. Like when you are stressed.
2006-12-03 17:37:06 · answer #1 · answered by AVAB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-01 04:35:12 · answer #2 · answered by Tommie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-08 02:06:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
(m)
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. No doubt you've heard of "herpes" before, but don't jump ahead of yourself. There are actually two types of herpes simplex virus, "type 1" and "type 2."
Type 1 herpes simplex virus.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 ("HSV1") generally only infects those body tissues that lie "above the waistline" and it is HSV1 that causes cold sores in the majority of cases.
Type 2 herpes simplex virus.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 ("HSV2") usually only infects those body tissues that lie "below the waistline" and it is this virus that is also known as "genital herpes." Herpes simplex virus type 2 is not usually the virus that causes cold sores, although it can.
Cold Sores &
Fever Blisters
How do people get exposed to the herpes simplex virus that causes their cold sores?
When you think of having an infection you usually assume that you were recently exposed to the germ that has caused your problem. With cold sores this is not the case. Cold sores are not a sign of a recently acquired herpes simplex infection but instead a reactivation of herpes virus particles already living in your body. Cold sores occur when latent herpes simplex virus particles, which have been lying dormant ("asleep"), become reactivated.
Where does this dormant herpes simplex virus come from?
The dormant virus particles come from a previous herpes infection. A person's initial herpes simplex virus infection, termed "primary herpetic stomatitis," does not usually take the form of a cold sore and therefore a person may not relate their initial exposure to the herpes virus to the recurrent cold sores that they get.
2006-12-03 17:42:38 · answer #4 · answered by mallimalar_2000 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Herpes Symplex 1: A contagious virus that can be spread to others and can only be treated, not cured.
2006-12-03 17:44:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply it is caused by change of season and can be easily spread from one person to the next.
2006-12-03 20:42:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋