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Cold Sores By: Kaitlan G. http://www.cold-sores-treatment-remedies.com/cold-sore-treatment-cold-sores-how-to-get-rid-of-cold-sores-get-rid-of-cold-sores-remedies-for-cold-sores.jpg. Cold Sores. Cold sores are tiny clusters of blisters on the lips and around the mouth
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Cold SoresBy: Kaitlan G. http://www.cold-sores-treatment-remedies.com/cold-sore-treatment-cold-sores-how-to-get-rid-of-cold-sores-get-rid-of-cold-sores-remedies-for-cold-sores.jpg
Cold Sores Cold sores are tiny clusters of blisters on the lips and around the mouth They last from several days to 2 weeks The skin surrounding the blisters is usually red, sensitive, and inflamed The blisters can rupture, leak a translucent fluid, and then scab or crust over after several days
http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/herpes-simplex-virus-type-1 http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/herpes/2000/coldsore.jpg http://www.quantumhealth.com/images/canker/canker_sore_picture504x407.jpg Canker sores are the same thing as cold sores.
Cause of Cold Sores • The source of cold sores is the herpes simplex virus • There are two kinds of the virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2 • Both strains can cause lip and mouth sores and genital herpes • The virus often enters the body through a cut in or around the mouth • Cold sores can spread to other parts of the body
Cause of Cold Sores Continued • HSV-1 most often causes cold sores and HSV-2 most often causes genital herpes • A herpes infection can be recurring and is often triggered by stress, sun exposure, fatigue, or another infection • Treatment can only reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of the outbreaks, but cannot eradicate the virus from residing within the host • Cold Sores are very contagious
Symptoms • The symptoms can include pain around the mouth and on the lips, fever, sore throat, or swollen glands http://www.skinsight.com/images/dx/webTeen/orofacialHerpesSimplexVirusHSV_2150_lg.jpg http://www.phase3ministries.com/HERPES1.gif
Diagnosing Cold Sores • Your doctor can determine if you have contracted the virus by asking questions to see whether you have come in contact with the virus and by examining you • You usually do not have to be tested
Treatment • Treatment can include skin creams, ointments, and sometimes pills • These treatments can help reduce the pain and duration of the cold sores and other symptoms, but cannot cure the virus
Prevention • Avoid sharing eating utensils, towels, toothbrushes, razors, or drinks with an infected person • Avoid coming in contact with infected bodily fluids • If you already have the virus, there is no way to suppress more cold sores, but there are several things that can be done to reduce outbreaks and prevent spreading the virus http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/cold-sores-topic-overview
Pictures • http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2170012349_376fc3c7f1_o.jpg http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/cold_sores_slideshow/dermnet_rf_photo_of_cold_sore_blisters.jpg