Cold sores - also known by the term herpes labialis is a common disease which is caused by infection in the mouth area triggered by the herpes simplex virus -1. The herpes virus -2 generally causes genital herpes and at times herpes labialis too. Sometimes sexual intercourse or oral sex can cause the virus to infect another person.

The virus is very tiny and sub-microscopic; it hides inside the nerve cells – closest to the face. It lies dormant till the conditions are right, before surfacing. As the virus travels along the nerve tissue, the victim feels a tingling sensation. Following this tingly and itchy feeling, the area will swell to form one or several painful pimples which become weeping open sores or blisters, sometimes accompanied with headaches and fever. The lymph glands under the jaw will feel taut and swollen. Once the sore heals it leaves no scar.

There are actually eight different types of human herpes simplex viruses but only two Type I and Type II causes cold sores.

Usually Herpes Simplex Type I infects a person above the waist and Type II below the waist, but there is no hard and fast rule as either can infect the lips or the genitalia, what we do know is that the recurrent cold sores are due to Type I Virus.

A cold sore is highly contagious, in the healing stage with a scab, especially when it contains fluid.