Cold sores or fever herpes is an infection that affects, with or without symptoms, more than 80 percent of the world’s population. It is spread by contact and the cause is the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), which usually affects the lips. Cold sores are distinguished because they are a cluster of small fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips. When they break, a scab forms that heals in a maximum of four weeks and leaves no scar.

Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) while herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) is usually responsible for genital herpes. Except that there is an exchange, for example, for the practice of oral sex; then there may be HSV-2 infection on the facial lips and HSV-1 infection on the genitals.

The cause of contagion is direct contact such as kissing or sharing utensils such as crockery and cutlery or towels.

After an episode of cold sores, the virus remains inactive in the nerve cells of the skin and can reappear when:

– Viral infection.

– Fever.

– Hormonal changes.

– Stress.

– Fatigue.

– Exposure to sun or wind.

– Weak immune system.

– Treatments against HIV, severe burns, eczema, or chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer and medication to avoid rejection in an organ transplant.

Cold sores usually appear on the area of ​​skin where the lip joins the face and also on the nose or cheeks, which take several days, at most four weeks, to heal. From that time on, we should consult a specialist, especially if cold sores appear frequently and, in addition, there is irritation in the eyes. In children, it can also appear on the fingers (whitlow herpes) when sucking the fingers.

The symptoms are: tingling and itching in the area where a red spot and fluid-filled blisters will appear in a few hours that can join, ooze and explode. The liquid is removed and a scab remains.

Some factors that influence the appearance of cold sores are:

– Fever.

– Gum erosion and pain.

– Sore throat.

– Headache.

– Muscle pains.

– Swollen lymph nodes.

– Children under 5 years of age may have cold sores inside the mouth that should not be confused with thrush.

Cold sores are diagnosed only with a physical examination.

There is no specific cure for cold sores since it usually disappears on its own in days or weeks, although the doctor can prescribe an antiviral drug to make it disappear more quickly. The usual thing is to treat it topically with creams or ointments that numb the sores, dry the scabs or soften them.

It is always recommended to avoid direct contact, such as kissing, with infected people. You should also avoid sharing crockery, glassware, cutlery, napkins, cosmetics, sheets or towels with them. such as glasses, cosmetics or napkins.

In addition, other recommendations indicate that we should keep our lips hydrated so that the skin is in good condition and use lip sunscreen in addition to resting well, avoiding stress and following a balanced and healthy diet to maintain optimal health.

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