A member asked:

What causes cold sores?

30 doctors weighed in across 11 answers

Herpes virus: Cold sores are typically caused by the type i herpes virus. It is very common and distinct from genital herpes, which is typically caused by the type ii herpes virus, although there is some overlap between the two.

Answered 4/29/2018

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Virus reactivation: Cold sores are caused by reactivation of a latent ("sleeping") virus in the nerves that supply sensation to the inside of the mouth. This is a "herpes" virus, but is most often not the same virus as the one that causes genital herpes. After contracting the virus from someone else's oral cavity, the virus can be reactivated by various triggers, including a common cold or other stressors.

Answered 1/20/2019

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Cold sores: The cause of cold sores is debillitation. If you were previously sick, overworked yourself through over exercise, or work, if you have been through a surgery your body mechanisms for self defense have been compromised. Cold sores are viruses that are always with you and normally cause no harm except when they can take advantage of your compromised situation.

Answered 7/26/2017

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Dr. Carla Enriquez answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Slow virus: Herpes simplex virus causes an acute infection in childhood. Then it can become a dormant virus in some people that produces cold sores when it is reactivated by an insult to the immune system. The insult could be another infection, sun light, stress, or barotrauma.

Answered 7/26/2017

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Herpes virus returns: Cold sores on the lips or near the lips, are usually caused by recurrent oral herpes virus. They start as a slightly raised reddish area, then form a cluster of tiny blisters, which break open soon, leaving a sore (ulcer) to heal up over a week. Sores appear more often when one is under stress or is ill from another illness. Younger babies with herpes should see a doctor when a sore appears.

Answered 3/24/2013

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Herpes virus: Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (hsv). There are two types of herpes simplex virus: hsv-1 and hsv-2. Both virus types can cause sores around the mouth (herpes labialis) and on the genitals (genital herpes).

Answered 9/28/2016

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Dr. Dinh Bui answered

Herpes simplex virus: Oral herpes, occurs with symptoms of cold sores or fever blisters, is an infection of the mouth and cause by herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. After initial infection, the viruses are transported to the sensory nerve cell bodies, where they become latent and reside lifelong. Upon trigger, these virus then multiplies new virus particles, transport, and releases to the nerve terminal.

Answered 10/4/2016

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Herpes simplex: Real cold sores, which usually occur on the edge of the lips, are caused by herpes simplex virus. This is contagious by touch, and that is touching anywhere. So if you have active cold sores, you need to practice good handwashing anytime you might have touched the sore. Unfortunately, you can also spread them when you don't even have an active sore, in your saliva.

Answered 8/26/2018

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Dr. R Thomas answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry

Cold sores: Actually, there are a couple of lesions people call "cold sores". 1) the painful red ulcerations in the mouth that stay around a couple of weeks and the go away - they are actually multifaceted. One possible factor is vit b deficiency. Another is a reaction to sodium lauryl sulfate (in most tooth paste. 2) canker sores on the outside of the mouth caused by a type of herpes virus - which are contag.

Answered 3/28/2014

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Dr. Carla Enriquez answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Herpes: Human herpes virus type i. This is the classic cold sore or fever blister that pops up under stress of infection or sun light irradiation. It occurs on the junction between mucous membrane and skin as on lip or nasal area. Aphthous ulcers and canker sores occur only on mucous membranes. They're due to other viruses. The only cause for fever blisters is hhv-i.

Answered 1/9/2015

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

HSV1: Cold sores are painful liquid filled blisters that can occur on the lips, roof of the mouth or the gums which are caused by the herpes simplex virus (hsv-1). An estimated 80% of americans have been exposed to herpes simplex virus type 1. However, not all of those people will get cold sores. It depends on your immune system.

Answered 3/31/2014

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