Cold sores
are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores that appear on the lips,
mouth, or nose that are caused by a virus.
Cold sores are very common and contagious too. This can't be cured or
prevented completely, only steps can be taken to reduce their frequency of
occurrence.
Causes:
-
This is caused by a virus
herpes simplex virus (HSV).
-
The virus is spread from person
to person by kissing or other close contact.
-
Infected saliva is also a means
of transmitting the virus.
-
A person infected with HSV can
pass it on to another person even when a cold sore is not present because the
virus is sometimes shed in saliva even when sores are not present.
-
Shared eating utensils, razors
and towels may spread this infection.
