Herpes Labialis is unlike a regular infection in that the appearance of facial lesions is not a result of recent exposure to Herpes germs, but rather a reactivation of some of the herpes virus that has been lying dormant in the body. These dormant virus particles may have been lying around the body inactive for some time so clearly kissing, or any other contact activity, cannot be the cause of the facial lesions that we know as cold sores.

When a person is initially exposed to the virus which causes cold sores it is known as ‘primary herpetic stomatitis’. The initial exposure can be as a result of direct contact, such as kissing. The symptoms are quite different from cold sores and include:

* Fever, headaches and irritability as well as pain when swallowing.
* Swollen gums
* Painful mouth
* Tiny blisters throughout the mouth, these will usually rupture by the third day forming ulcers.

Many people cannot remember any of these symptoms, and this is hardly surprising considering that most people who contract the virus do so before the age of seven. Even then nearly every case is ‘subclinical’, meaning it is never serious enough to be referred to a doctor, so is allowed to run it’s course(usually an infection lasts 10-14 days) and then forgotten.

Roughly 80% of the population is thought to carry the primary herpetic stomatitis antibody. The body only produces the antibody in defense against the virus itself, and in all cases once the virus is present particles will remain. Of that 80% however, only a small number(about one third) will have the virus reactivate and get cold sores. Some of the triggers which can serve to reactivate the virus are:

* When the victim is emotionally upset or under stress.
* Physical stress, tiredness or fatigue.
* Recent illness such as a cold or flu.
* Damage to the lips or skin, including severe chapping, sun or wind burn.
* Changes in hormone levels such as those seen during menstruation or pregnancy
* A deficiency in the immune system

In other words an outbreak is more likely to occur whenever the bodies immune system is working sub-optimally or has been heavily taxed fighting off another problem.

Beverley A Brooke

Stop Herpes Now and From Coming Back For Good by Dr David Hoggs

Positive Single – Support site for herpes members.

Cold Sore Freedom in 3 days by Grace Melgarejo

Genital herpes- basics

Here are few basics about genital herpes. It can be caused by virus type 1 that causes cold sores. Most of the carriers are in a phase when they show no outward sign but shed the virus (asymptomatic phase). After contacting herpes, you will become infected but may show no symptoms for years. Unfortunately you may suspect a different partner when you get the eruption. The earlier one that gave you herpes is only in the memory. Many of us believe that genital herpes is only caused by virus type2. This is not true. Let me put it like this. If you have genital herpes, it is difficult for your partner to get cold sores. But if you have cold sores, your partner can easily get genital herpes.

Genital herpes- about the habit of the virus

The herpes virus behaves in a typical manner. as soon as you contact herpes, the virus begins multiplying. You may get a severe eruption of herpes or a very mild. After treatment the virus goes to sleep. Because of certain reasons, the virus goes back to the skin. The trigger may be- stress, illness, lowered immunity etc. After going back to the skin, the virus erupts again and shows herpes on the skin. It gets treated again and goes back to sleep to return after some time.

Even if your partner shows no signs of herpes, if he/she is an active carrier of cold sores or virus type2, you may get infected. Only screening will tell you about the status of your partner. Please protect yourself from genital herpes.

TThis article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

CD Mohatta

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is an online skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails. A unique feature of this portal is the skin and health quizzes, by which you can test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. The most popular topics on the site include acne, hair removal, skin cancers, sweating, surgical procedures, aging, dandruff, etc.

Additional Reading:

Cold Sore Freedom in 3 days by Grace Melgarejo

Stop Herpes Now and From Coming Back For Good by Dr David Hoggs

Positive Single – Support site for herpes members.

Of course it is much better to avoid getting cold sore in the first place than to get rid of cold sores. Cold sore can spread through direct skin contact like kissing, touching or oral sex. Things used by a person with herpes simplex virus like towels, drinking glass; toothbrush etc. can also help spread the virus. Avoid skin contact or using personal stuffs of people you suspected with cold sores.

In most cases, cold sore appears in the most inappropriate occasions like weddings, big dates etc. because you are more vulnerable to the virus when stressed. You should start to find remedies to get rid of cold sores, to stop the annoyance and embarrassment brought by this skin disease.

It is important that cold sore cure is available at the onset of this skin disease to prevent it from spreading and to get rid of cold sores as soon as possible. Cold sore can last for weeks if not treated at once. Here are some tips to get rid of cold sores.

Keep your cold sore dry. Regularly wash the area around the cold sore and pat it dry. Cold sore needs moisture and dirt to keep swelling. If they are kept clean and dry, healing will speed up. Shield cold sores with petroleum jelly using cotton swab to avoid swelling.

Replace your toothbrush with a new one once detected you have a cold sore. Toothbrushes incubate cold sore causing viruses and it will keep coming back if you use the same toothbrush. You also need to replace your toothpaste tubes since toothbrush bristles get in contact with the toothpaste tubes each time you use your toothpaste. Buy smaller toothpaste and avoid rubbing your toothbrush bristles against the opening of the toothpaste tube.

Zinc sulfate, available in your local pharmacy can also help get rid of cold sores. You can ask the nearest pharmacy for a zinc sulfate tube once you spot a cold sore starting to burst out.

Amino acid lysine can also help you get rid of cold sores. You can get if from drinking supplements or by eating potatoes and dairy products. But amino acid lysine is not recommended for nursing or pregnant women as this can interfere with the infant’s development.

Lemon balm, tea tree oil, Echinacea and tea bag applied directly to the affected area can also help get rid of cold sores due to its antiviral properties.

Avoid stress to get rid of cold sores. Stress triggers the recurrence of cold sores and it also weakens your immune system, making you more vulnerable to viral infections. Get rid of cold sores by eating a healthy balanced diet, exercise and getting enough sleep.

These are just few methods you can use to get rid of cold sores. For more tips and ways to prevent cold sores from annoying you in the future, consult with your doctor.

But if you have tried everything and found little or no relief, do not lose hope. Did you know that you can get rid of cold sores naturally and get your confidence back – from the comfort of your own home? Discover how to get rid of cold sores permanently for life in just 3 days. You will never have to worry about having serious cold sore swelling and recurrence problem again. Face the world in 3 days with the freedom to feel great about yourself and your appearance visit Cold Sore Freedom in 3 Days

To know more about health and beauty remedies visit Great Discovery-Health and Beauty

By Gerry Restrivera

Additional Reading:

Cold Sore Freedom in 3 days by Grace Melgarejo

Cold sore stages 2-8 are the active stages and are very contagious during this time. Usually 3 to 4 weeks is the average life-span of a cold sore. Much depends on your health and choice of treatments for each of your cold sore stages.

COLD SORE STAGES: #1 – LATENT - Here the cold sore herpes simplex virus is hiding in the nerve ganglia near the back of the jaw on the same side as your cold sore usually appears. The cold sore virus may “sleep” for weeks or years without incident. Your body’s defense “soldiers” keep them in check. When there is stress in another part of your body, your defenses may drop at this location. Then the cold sore virus can escape and travel to the surface to reproduce – beginning the active cold sore stages.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 2 – PRODROME - The cold sore virus reproductive cycle begins here. The cold sore virus travels down your nerve fibers to the surface. This movement causes your cold sore target area to itch or tingle. You may notice a burning or dryness sensation. This stage could last a few hours to a few days before entering the more intense cold sore stages.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 3 – INFLAMMATION Your cold sore virus has now arrived at the surface and begins it’s reproductive cycle by entering the cells at the end of the nerve. This causes a lot of swelling and redness at the cold sore site as your cells react to being invaded by the herpes cold sore virus .

COLD SORE STAGES: # 4 – PRE-SORE – Cold sores at this stage are defined by the appearance of cold sore vesicles. A full blown cold sore is not one big blister but a grouping of small blisters called vesicles. You will notice these vesicles as tiny, hard pimples or red bumps that are painfully sensitive to the touch.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 5 – OPEN SORE - Your most painful and contagious of the cold sore stages. All the vesicles break open and merge to create one big open, weeping sore. Depending on the severity, you may develop a fever and swollen lymph glands under the jaw.

The weeping fluid is teaming with newly born cold sore viruses. Touching this fluid, you could easily spread the cold sore virus to another part of your own body or to someone else – either by direct touch or shared objects such as hand towels, telephones, and faucets.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 6 – CRUSTING – A cold sore will develop a yellowish crust or scab as it begins to finally start the healing process. Your cold sore is still painful at this stage. More painful, however, is the constant cracking of your cold sore scab when you move or stretch your lips, as in smiling.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 7- HEALING – Cold sores, once scabbed over, begin healing from the inside out. As new skin forms under the crust, you will experience continued itching, irritation and some pain. Your cold sore virus is now retreating back to the nerve ganglia area where it will sleep until the next opportunity.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 8 – POST SCAB – Cold sores at this stage no longer have a visible cold sore scab and your skin has totally healed. Under your new skin, healing is still taking place as the destroyed cells are regenerated. This produces a red spot that may linger for another 2 to 14 days – depending on your personal healing speed. You are still contagious until this red spot disappears. This waiting is the most frustrating of the cold sore stages.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW -

Cold sore over-the-counter medications, experts agree, are primarily comfort treatments for the cold sore stages. Some contain numbing agents that greatly reduce your pain. Some cold sore medications contain an anti-bacterial to prevent secondary infections. None of these cold sore medications have been shown to actually shorten the life-span of any of your cold sore stages.

Medical science has been working feverishly on a cure for the herpes virus but have not, as yet, had any real success in developing an effective cold sore remedy. Prescription anti-virals, both the oral versions and the topical salves, have been a dismal failure for the most part. Vaccines are being tested but are 3-4 years out yet. New breakthroughs could be just around the corner however.

But you don’t need to wait!

More and more doctors now agree. There are times when natural science just seems to be the best choice. Often our ONLY choice. This is certainly true – right now – for herpes cold sores.

Data studies have shown natural science remedies can reduce the cold sore events by as much as 79%.

Yes! And, in fact, actually prevent your cold sores from taking place altogether.

The great news – these remedies are available to you today.

If you are a cold sore victim, you would be well advised to look into these powerful natural remedies without delay for shortening or preventing your cold sores.

by Denny Bodoh

Copyright 2005 drbodoh .Denny Bodoh is a newspaper publisher and 33 year veteran research writer on alternative health and nutrition. If you would like to know more about herpes and cold sores, and what you can do about them, visit his popular site at: http://www.be-cold-sore-free.com

Additional Reading:

Cold Sore Freedom in 3 days by Grace Melgarejo