Cold Sores
What happens when you get
   a cold sore?
Know what triggers cold
   sores
Cold sores are easily spread
Treatment options

To what extent do cold sores affect
you?
If cold sores are having a negative effect on the way you feel about yourself and your appearance, there are treatments that can help you manage your outbreaks. Talk your doctor to find out what you can do to manage cold sores.

Cold Sores: For Many, They're a Problem That's Hard to Face

What are cold sores?

Cold sores may not be a serious health concern, but they can significantly affect how you feel about your personal appearance. They are also exceedingly common. It is estimated that virtually half of all North Americans suffer from periodic outbreaks of cold sores.1,2

Cold sores are an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV: Type 1 (HSV-1), which is the most common form of the virus, causing cold sores (oral herpes) on or near the lips and mouth area. Type 2 (HSV-2) has been the most common cause of genital herpes, causing sores or blisters on or near the genitals and surrounding area.3

Both forms of HSV can cause sores on the lips or genitals (HSV-2 rarely occurs orally.) The virus is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual. What that means is, if you have a cold sore (or even the beginning of one), and you engage in mouth-to-mouth kissing or mouth-to-genital oral sex, the virus can be easily transmitted to your partner’s mouth or genitals. This is why oral herpes is becoming an increasingly common cause of new genital herpes infections.4,5

 

References

 
1. Sacks S. The Truth About Herpes. 4th Ed., 1997. Gordon Soules Book Publishing Ltd.

2. Ebel C, Wald A. Managing Herpes: How to Live and Love With a Chronic STD. Research Triangle Park, NC: American Social Health Association; 2002.

3. Patrick DM, Dawar M, Cook DA, et al. Antenatal seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in Canadian women. Sex Trans Dis 2001;28(7)424-8.

4. Whitley RJ, Kimberlin DW, Roizman B. Herpes simplex viruses. Clin Infect Dis 1998;26(3):541-53.

5. Aoki FY. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 Edition: Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections. Public Health Agency of Canada http://phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti_2006/pdf/sti2006_e.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2006.

6. Kemeny ME, Cohen F, Zegans LS et al. Psychological and Immunological Predictors of Genital Herpes Recurrence. Psych Med 1989;51:195-208.

7. Valtrex®  (valacyclovir hydrochloride) Product Monograph. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., May 2006.

8. Famvir®  (famciclovir) Product Monograph. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., January 2004.

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