90% of all adults in the United States are exposed to the virus by the age of 60. 40% of people infected will experience the full blown symptoms of oral herpes. If you suffer from fever blisters, chances are that you picked it up as a child. 60% of all children are exposed to the virus by late puberty.

When someone becomes infected with herpes HSV1, the virus makes its way through the skin from the point of infection into a group of nerve cells in the brain known as ganglion. The virus lodges in the ganglion and becomes dormant. Some people are fortunate enough to never experience an actual outbreak of HSV1.

What causes the virus to become activated? Stress on the immune system which had kept the virus suppressed . Once activated the symptoms of a cold sore will begin. These typically are;

A tingling, prickly or itching sensation.
Slight redness, swelling and pain.
An eruption of a blister or cluster of blisters.
The blisters break down into yellowish shallow ulcers.
The emergence of a hard irregular crust, with bleeding.
After a period of 7-14 days the blister will recede and heal.

Once the infection becomes active, it can be spread to others by oral contact. During this time you should avoid kissing or other forms of contact with people. Do not share food, drink or dining and kitchen utensils. Do not share your toothbrush or dental floss. Do not share towels. Also its best to avoid contact with infants and people with a weakened immune system.

Certain stressful conditions are known to reactivate the dormant virus. Some of these are;

Exposure to sunlight, wind and cold.
Lack of sleep
Menstruation and hormonal changes.
Pain
Certain Foods
Drugs
Dental Procedures
Anything that stresses your immune system

Cold sores symptoms can be treated with topical applications of ice, alchohol or lip balm. Over the counter treatments include antiviral creams such as Decisional (Abreva), and Peniclovir (Denivar).

Timothy J Reeves

There is an All-Natural Permanent Cure Available http://www.guidetonaturalcures.com/how-to-get-rid-of-cold-sores.htm Timothy Reeves is a Holistic Health Researcher and Author.

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