- Herpes.com explains that herpes cold sores are caused by the HSV-1 virus. Approximately 8 percent of individuals have had some form of exposure to the HSV-1 virus. The virus can cause excessive outbreaks in the beginning, slowly winding down after each occurrence.
- Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, can be quite painful and often appear as fluid-filled blisters that are visually noticeable, red and crusty. Sometimes the cold sore can seep internal fluid; which is when the condition is most contagious to other individuals.
- There is another form of herpes that is known as genital herpes, caused by the HSV-2 virus. According to KidsHealth.org, it is possible to transmit both forms of the virus to another individual. For instance, even though cold sores are caused by the HSV-1 virus, receiving oral sex from an infected individual transfers the virus to the genitals. Just as a cold sore on the mouth can transmit the virus to the external sex organs, the scenario can also occur in reverse.
- A herpes cold sore can be transmitted through the saliva and bodily fluids of an infected individual even when there is no apparent outbreak. "MicroNutra Health Journal" explains that the transmission of herpes without the presence of a cold sore is referred to as "asymptomatic viral shedding". The rate of asymptomatic viral shedding is quite high, at a rate of approximately 70 percent.
- According to SkinTherapyLetter.com, an outbreak of herpes cold sores tends to last approximately seven to 10 full days. Treatments are available that can lessen the severity of herpes cold sores as well as the duration. During this time, the best way to limit the spread of the cold sores, and decrease their occurrence, is through proper hygiene. Since the use of soap and warm water can stop the herpes virus dead in its tracks, frequent hand washing and remembering to keep your hands away from your face and the outbreak site will greatly help your efforts to control the virus.
