virus-coldsores

= __**Cold Sores **__ =

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The type of virus that causes cold is herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV virus, type I and type II. Cold sores are caused by type I. Herpes simplex virus is contagious and could spread from one person to another but either kissing, or other close contact with the sores. ======

**Viral Specificity: **
Cold sores affect the lip, mouth or nose area.

**Symptoms and progression of he disease: **
When cold sores are being formed the cold sore becomes reddened and then it turns into a small fluid filled blisters. When the cold sore recur, the blister drys up rapidly and leaves a scab that lasts from a day to several days depending on the infection.

**Treatment and Prevention: **
Non-prescription treatment you could use is skin protectants, analgesics, abreva, and lipactin. Presciptied treatment you could also get are denavir and zorvirax. You can't really do much to prevent cold sores, you can try using sunscreen more often when you go out in then sun from reducing the attacks, and also taking daily antiviral medications can reduce the frequency of cold sores.

**Miscellaneous: **
- Things that trigger a cold sore are exposure to extreme sunlight such as skiing, sailing, or tanning on the beach. Stress, menstruation, depression, and skinlaser treatment.  - applying ice at the first sign of a cold sore often prevents the cold sore from actually occurring or shortens the life-span of your cold sores.

**Resources accessed: **
 http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/cold_sores.htm  http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cold_sores/article_em.htm  http://searchwarp.com/swa214463.htm