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A cold sore is a painful, blistering of the moist areas
surrounding the mouth and nose area, caused by the
herpes virus.
Herpes is the name given to a chronic, lifelong infection by
the herpes virus, Herpes simplex. Although there are five
different types of herpes virus, it is usually when infection is
caused by the Herpes simplex-1 (HSV-1) strain of the herpes
virus that the term "cold sore" is used.
Other strains of the herpes virus are responsible for Chicken pox (herpesvirus:
varicella zoster virus, VZV) and shingles (reactivation of dormant
varicella zoster virus, VZV).
Cold sores are usually caused by the strain of herpes virus given
the name, Herpes simplex-1 (HSV-1).
Although considered sexually transmitted because it is easily
transmitted by sexual intercourse, the main mode of transmission for
Herpes simplex-1 (HSV-1) is by kissing, particularly when
someone has a cold sore on the mouth or lips which is actively
shedding the highly infectious cells from a cold sore blister.
Unfortunately, HSV-1 is also becoming more prevalent as a sexually
transmitted infection, principally through oral sex which brings the
infectious shedding of the lesion of the cold sore into direct
contact with the moist membranes of the lips, mouth, penis, vagina,
urethra, cervix or anus.
If you have a cold sore, or cold sores, it is not only possible to
infect your partner with the HSV-1 form of genital herpes, but also
to re-infect yourself by having oral sex followed by
penetrative intercourse.
Additionally, it is possible to infect other areas of your body by
touching an active cold sore lesion and then either creating a way
for the virus to infect by scratching the skin surface, or by
touching a susceptible area such as the eye, mouth, vagina or penis.
There are different treatment options available for cold sores, many
of which can be used as a cold sore remedy. Although they do not
cure cold sores, there are a growing number of preparations which
can be used as a cold sore home remedy, many of which have antiviral
properties that can greatly shorten the duration of a cold sore
attack.
Treatment for herpes, which helps minimize the duration and severity
of an outbreak and reduces the possibility of the virus multiplying
and infecting other areas of the body, typically involves antiviral
agents such as acyclovir (Zovirax ®), famiciclovir (Famvir
®) and valacyclovir (Valtrex ®).
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