Cold sores are contagious and once you start getting them you probably will continue for years to come. Cold sores are often times referred to as fever blisters because they look like tiny blisters on the mouth and lips. Most of the time the skin surrounding the cold sore will be red, irritated, and generally painful. The blisters can pop and the liquid within will leak out. In a couple days the cold sore will scab over and begin to heal. A cold sore may take a couple days to a couple weeks to heal.
The herpes simplex virus cause cold sores and there are two types of this virus include HSV-1 and HSV-2 and both of these viruses may cause contagious cold sores as well as genital herpes. That is why it is so important to take caution and never expose anyone to an active cold sore because they are very contagious. Cold sores contagious should be cared for properly until they heal.
The way the cold sores contagious get started is usually because of a break in the skin. The break in the skin may exist near the mouth or even inside the mouth. Once the virus enters the body then the individual is infected with the virus. It can be spread through kissing, touching, sharing cups, sharing razors, or touching the saliva of another person. It is not uncommon for a parent to spread the virus to their child from sharing utensils and the like. The cold sores can be spread to the genitals or other body parts, too.
The symptoms of cold sores include swollen glands, sore throat, and in some cases a fever. Those are not as common as the most obvious symptoms of the blisters on the mouth, the cracked skin, the oozing sore, and the red and swollen mouth. Interestingly enough, there are some people who have the virus but do not ever develop the cold sores.
In most cases if you seek treatment your doctor can diagnose you without running any tests as long as you have an active cold sore. In most cases, cold sores do not need treatment because they will heal on their own. However, if you need for the sore to heal faster you may seek out treatment that might include pills, ointments, or creams. The treatment can’t make the cold sore go away, but it can speed up healing and relieve some of the painful symptoms.
Unfortunately, once infected with the herpes simplex virus there is no cure for it. The virus will remain with you for your entire life and you may or may not get cold sores if you have the virus.