A cold sore is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. Most adults have been exposed to the virus, with initial infection usually occurring in childhood, probably after being kissed by a person with the infection. Cold sores are triggered in only about a third of adults, by many every day factors such as ultraviolet light or cold and flu.

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Cross-infection of HSV-1 (cold sore virus) and HSV-2 (genital herpes virus) may occur during oral sex. You should avoid having oral sex whilst you have a cold sore.

You should also avoid kissing anyone when you are suffering from a cold sore as it is one of the more common ways of spreading the cold sore virus.

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Cold sores affect all age groups. The vast majority of individuals suffer their first attack in childhood.

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Ultraviolet light

Common cold, flu or feverish illness

Emotional stress or exhaustion

Exposure to extreme temperatures or weather conditions

Feeling physically low or fatigued

Pregnancy

Menstruation

A knock on the lips or face

An injury to the mouth, surgical operation or dental treatment

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Cold Sore attacks vary, some people get them very infrequently like once every few years. Others may get them once a month. Those who experience very frequent or severe attacks or have sores away from the mouth area should seek the advice of a doctor.

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It is important to eat a balanced diet to obtain the recommended levels of vitamins and minerals to keep your immune system fully efficient.

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If you are experiencing frequent or severe episodes of cold sores, or they spread away from the mouth area, then you should seek the advice of a doctor. There is, however, no cure for the condition, which fortunately, in most people is just a short-lived nuisance, which can be treated with the help of antiviral products available in supermarkets or pharmacies.

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Because cold sores are caused by a virus, the most effective treatments contain an ingredient active against this virus. The antiviral agent, aciclovir, contained in treatments such as Zovirax Cold Sore Cream, reduces the replication of the virus to help speed up the healing process.

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The earlier you start treatment the better but treatment with an antiviral cream, such as Zovirax Cold Sore Cream, is still effective if applied at the blister stage of the cold sore.

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No. Once you have been infected by the virus, it resides indefinitely in the nerves that supply sensation to your lips and surrounding skin. It may, however, be possible to avoid triggers that set it off and take action to improve the body's natural defences. See our section on Coping Strategies.

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Untreated, cold sores usually last for around 10 days.

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No.

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There is no clear scientific evidence in this area. Certainly a healthy balanced diet helps to keep the immune system in good working order. Such dietary advice would be good for anyone whether or not he or she has cold sores.

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Cold sores affect all age groups but many people find that with time they have fewer attacks.

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You shouldn't kiss anyone when a cold sore is present, as it is one of the more common ways of spreading the cold sore virus since it is carried in saliva, as well as in the blister fluid.

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You shouldn't kiss anyone when you are suffering from a cold sore as it is one of the more common ways of spreading the cold sore virus since it is carried in saliva, as well as in the blister fluid. Nor should you participate in oral sex as you can pass the cold sore onto someone's genitals as genital herpes.

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There is no medical reason why you cannot go swimming when you have a cold sore. You cannot pass the infection on to someone else through pool water.

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Anyone can get cold sores. Most people have been infected with the virus at some time in their lives. Fortunately, only a small proportion of these people have trouble with cold sores. There is no clear explanation for why some people live with the virus and never get cold sores and others experience recurrent outbreaks.

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Some people notice that cold sores often break out when they are run down with a cold or flu. However, the cold may simply be the trigger for the cold sore outbreak. The virus that causes cold sores is taking advantage of the fact that the body's natural defences are run down.

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