What Causes Cold Sores
The virus that causes cold sores is called Herpes Simplex or HSV. There are two types of this virus – type 1 and type 2.
The type 1 virus generally causes cold sores. The virus is contagious is easily spread by contact such as kissing, the
saliva, and sharing containers that have touched the infected area. The shedding of the skin that happens naturally is also a cause for spreading of the virus.
The individual is more contagious when they have open or active blisters. It is after the cold sores dry up or become crusted the risks are reduced for spreading the virus. It is important to realize that some people may not have outward signs of the HSV virus but can still pass or spread the virus to others. This is possible since the HSV virus is present in the saliva resides on the surfaces of containers, glasses, silverware, makeup, and lipstick. The virus does not remain on towels or washcloths unless there is skin or saliva on the materials.
Once the virus begins, it enters into the nerve cells and travels to the ganglion where it is dormant. It can become active and travel back down the nerves to the skin where the cold sores will form. The exact reasons for the cold sores appearing or forming is not medically clear but the conditions associated to the occurrence can include fevers, colds, flu, exposure to the sun or ultraviolet rays, stress, any changes to the immune system, menstruation, or trauma to the skin.
Cold sores tend to reoccur in the same place such as the lips or mouth throughout the year often in the changing of the seasons for some people. There is not an apparent reason for this happening but it has been medically noted for patients to have reoccurring cold sores in the identical locations several times a year.
The Herpes Simplex 1 virus cannot be killed by medication although it does lie dormant in most people. The contagious virus is spread to other areas of the body by a process called auto inoculation. An example of this is to touch the area of the mouth with the cold sore and spread the virus to the areas near the eyes or nostrils. This is the main reason it is highly recommended to always wash the hands after coming into contact with the infected area.