Some Useful Tips To Prevent Colds Sores
First off, what is a cold sore? A cold sore is a blister which usually appears on your lips or within your mouth.
Another term for this is "fever blister".
These sores are very painful to have and definitely a nuisance when you have them.
So it is very important to know how to prevent them from developing in the first place.
The herpes simplex virus is the virus that triggers the formation of cold sores.
The herpes simplex virus can either be the HSV-1 type or the HSV-2 variety, but either type can make you develop sores.
You can get infected by the herpes simplex virus by kissing a person who has it, or when you use stuff that has been infected by the virus.
That is why it is very important to practice good hygiene when you are infected with a cold sore or have a companion who is infected.
It is possible to be a carrier of the herpes simplex virus yet lack any of the symptoms.
That is why it is never advisable to use eating utensils, or share food (like a lollipop or ice cream) with another person - you never know if they can infect you with their cold sores virus.
You should refrain from sharing table napkins, towels, and anything else that can be infected with another person's saliva, so you can avoid being infected.
The saliva of the other person is the medium by which the herpes simplex virus can be transmitted.
If you have already been infected by the herpes simplex virus, you are probably going to be prone to getting cold sores because the virus will stay in your body in a dormant state until your immune system weakens and the virus gets the chance to attack.
When it perceives a weak link in your immune system, the virus will make you break out in cold sores.
That is why you should make it a point not to spread the virus to other people so they don't suffer what you do.
Cold sores seem to get worse when the patient is undergoing certain situations.
For instance, some infected people tend to develop outbreaks more readily when they are ill with the flu or have colds.
Most people may have been infected when they were children (since children will be children and tend to share stuff with one another without wondering about infections.
) But for some people, there are events or situations that act as "triggers" that launch development of sores.
Some women get them because they are pregnant, or because they are going through their menstrual period.
Even a simple visit to the dentist to pull out a tooth can make certain patients break out.
And in some individuals, the cause of their cold sores will always remain a mystery.
Though for healthy individuals a cold sore may be just an annoyance, for some sick people a cold sore can actually be life threatening.
Examples of such patients are people with HIV-infection or AIDS, or cancer victims.
Such people have to be very careful never to get sores because their immune systems are compromised by their illness.
If you do have cold sores, always wash your hands regularly because you may have touched your mouth while the sores are present.
Never kiss anyone (even your spouse or child) while you have any symptoms.
And use your own personal cups, plates and eating utensils separate from those of other people.
Remember, once you are infected, you might never get rid of the virus from your system anymore but there are ways to prevent and minimize the duration of your outbreaks.
Another term for this is "fever blister".
These sores are very painful to have and definitely a nuisance when you have them.
So it is very important to know how to prevent them from developing in the first place.
The herpes simplex virus is the virus that triggers the formation of cold sores.
The herpes simplex virus can either be the HSV-1 type or the HSV-2 variety, but either type can make you develop sores.
You can get infected by the herpes simplex virus by kissing a person who has it, or when you use stuff that has been infected by the virus.
That is why it is very important to practice good hygiene when you are infected with a cold sore or have a companion who is infected.
It is possible to be a carrier of the herpes simplex virus yet lack any of the symptoms.
That is why it is never advisable to use eating utensils, or share food (like a lollipop or ice cream) with another person - you never know if they can infect you with their cold sores virus.
You should refrain from sharing table napkins, towels, and anything else that can be infected with another person's saliva, so you can avoid being infected.
The saliva of the other person is the medium by which the herpes simplex virus can be transmitted.
If you have already been infected by the herpes simplex virus, you are probably going to be prone to getting cold sores because the virus will stay in your body in a dormant state until your immune system weakens and the virus gets the chance to attack.
When it perceives a weak link in your immune system, the virus will make you break out in cold sores.
That is why you should make it a point not to spread the virus to other people so they don't suffer what you do.
Cold sores seem to get worse when the patient is undergoing certain situations.
For instance, some infected people tend to develop outbreaks more readily when they are ill with the flu or have colds.
Most people may have been infected when they were children (since children will be children and tend to share stuff with one another without wondering about infections.
) But for some people, there are events or situations that act as "triggers" that launch development of sores.
Some women get them because they are pregnant, or because they are going through their menstrual period.
Even a simple visit to the dentist to pull out a tooth can make certain patients break out.
And in some individuals, the cause of their cold sores will always remain a mystery.
Though for healthy individuals a cold sore may be just an annoyance, for some sick people a cold sore can actually be life threatening.
Examples of such patients are people with HIV-infection or AIDS, or cancer victims.
Such people have to be very careful never to get sores because their immune systems are compromised by their illness.
If you do have cold sores, always wash your hands regularly because you may have touched your mouth while the sores are present.
Never kiss anyone (even your spouse or child) while you have any symptoms.
And use your own personal cups, plates and eating utensils separate from those of other people.
Remember, once you are infected, you might never get rid of the virus from your system anymore but there are ways to prevent and minimize the duration of your outbreaks.
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