Every year i get cold sores on my lips about twice or three times in a year. is there a reason i am so vulnerable to them?

Cold Sores: Triggers for herpes implex 1 (cold sores) include emotional stress, trauma to the area, sunshine and infection(colds), In women, outbreaks often occur prior to menstruation. Some people just appear to have more outbreaks than others.

Stress: Stress- emotional , physical and environmental- can cause recurrence of cold sores. An illness, lack of sleep, exposure to sun or cold, emotional turmoil are examples of stresses that may bring on a recurrence.

Your doc can check: your vitamin D level. If low, you can supplement w/D3. This will boost your immunity. Maybe your lifestyle needs tweaking, e.g.,, more sleep, less junk food, exercise. Peace and good health. Supplenting w/lycine can help also.

Yes, but: mostly not something we can know nor need to know. This is a common pattern NOT indicative of 'poor immunity'. Able to be suppressed by antivirals (acyclovir). Many different parts of the immune system, those involved with antibody or allergy or tissue rejection don't help but can dominate the response leaving someone open to recurrences.

Sunburn!: Sunburned lips can precipitate fever blisters so always wear lip protectants with high amounts of sunscreen and apply frequently. Cracked, chapped lips can also trigger herpes, so when lips dry out in winter when we turn on the heat in our homes or when outside in wind and cold, keep lips moist with a lip balm. (many may dry out your lips worse so find one that does not- like good ol' Carmex)

Yes and No.: Many people experience "cold sores" you described often. Once you acquire an infection with herpes simplex virus I (one), the virus remains in your system. Whenever your immune system is down, such as lack of sleep, lots of stress, excessive fatigue, etc, will bring about the reactivation of the virus, and thus "cold sores". Ask your doctor to prescribe a medicine "acyclovir" or "valacyclovir.