Cold sores
What will happen to me?
Cold sores clear up without treatment in about a week to 10 days.
Cold sores don't leave a scar.
1
Source:
Bader C, Crumpacker CS, Schnipper LE.
The natural history of recurrent facial-oral infections with the herpes simplex virus.
Journal of Infectious Diseases. 1978; 138: 897-905.
Bader C, Crumpacker CS, Schnipper LE.
The natural history of recurrent facial-oral infections with the herpes simplex virus.
Journal of Infectious Diseases. 1978; 138: 897-905.
Most people who are infected with the virus that causes them (the herpes simplex virus) get cold sores every year.
2 Up to 1 in 10 people get cold sores six or more times a year.
2
Source:
Rooney JF, Straus SE, Mannix ML, et al.
Oral acyclovir to suppress frequently recurrent herpes labialis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 1993; 118: 268-272.
Rooney JF, Straus SE, Mannix ML, et al.
Oral acyclovir to suppress frequently recurrent herpes labialis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 1993; 118: 268-272.
Source:
Rooney JF, Straus SE, Mannix ML, et al.
Oral acyclovir to suppress frequently recurrent herpes labialis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 1993; 118: 268-272.
Rooney JF, Straus SE, Mannix ML, et al.
Oral acyclovir to suppress frequently recurrent herpes labialis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 1993; 118: 268-272.
The virus that causes cold sores can cause a serious infection if it spreads to your eyes. It can result in blindness, but
this is rare.
3 People who have a weak
immune system (doctors call this being immunocompromised) can also get a more serious illness from the herpes simplex virus.
3 If you have a condition that means you have a weak immune system (cancer or
HIV, for example) and you get symptoms of herpes simplex virus infection, you should see your doctor.
3
Source:
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medline Plus: Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex).
May 2008. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov (accessed on 14 May 2009).
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medline Plus: Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex).
May 2008. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov (accessed on 14 May 2009).
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
Source:
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medline Plus: Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex).
May 2008. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov (accessed on 14 May 2009).
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medline Plus: Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex).
May 2008. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov (accessed on 14 May 2009).
HIV
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It's the virus that causes AIDS. It makes you sick by damaging cells called CD4 cells. Your body needs these cells to fight infections. You can get HIV by sharing needles for injecting drugs ,or by having sex without a condom with someone who already has the virus.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It's the virus that causes AIDS. It makes you sick by damaging cells called CD4 cells. Your body needs these cells to fight infections. You can get HIV by sharing needles for injecting drugs ,or by having sex without a condom with someone who already has the virus.
Source:
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medline Plus: Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex).
May 2008. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov (accessed on 14 May 2009).
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medline Plus: Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex).
May 2008. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov (accessed on 14 May 2009).
Sources for the information on this page:
- Bader C, Crumpacker CS, Schnipper LE.The natural history of recurrent facial-oral infections with the herpes simplex virus.Journal of Infectious Diseases. 1978; 138: 897-905.
- Rooney JF, Straus SE, Mannix ML, et al.Oral acyclovir to suppress frequently recurrent herpes labialis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Annals of Internal Medicine. 1993; 118: 268-272.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine.Medline Plus: Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex).May 2008. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov (accessed on 14 May 2009).
This information was last updated on Jun 10, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2010. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2010. All rights reserved.
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