Cold Sores

By: Brooke O.

http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/imageBank/cache/c/coldsores_SPL_w_e_80e120e8d9501686f40a51477471da69.jpg

Small fluid-filled blisters Nose, mouth, or lips Last a few days Not protected by body defenses Often reoccur

www.bact.wisc.edu/themicrobialworld/coldsore.jpg

Causes…

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 and 2 HSV 1 only infects body above waist line

Causes majority cases of cold sores HSV 2 only infects body below waist line

Genital herpes Cold sores appear when HSV particles

are reactivated (from “sleep mode”) Kissing

Contagious

Symptoms…

Fever Pain when swallowing Headache Inflamed gums Sore mouth

Sometimes you can’t see the sore at first Unpleasant tingling

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Treatment…

Early as possible!!! Antiviral medications

Decrease duration of healing process Reduce pain Reduce size

http://www.nyal.com.au/images/product-antiviral-coldsore.jpg

Topical Denavir

FDA approved Cream Applied every two hours for four

days Reduced symptoms and time of healing

Acyclovir

FDA approved Cream Taken five times a day Lessens pain Shortens duration of healing process

Prevention!

Avoid direct contact with sores Wash hands after contact with mouth Don’t pick!

Virus can spread to other parts of the body Genitals and fingers

Primary Herpetic Stomatitis Most common 99% of cases are subclinical

Symptoms were not apparent

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http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/9/94/Canker_sore.jpg

http://www.cold-sores-treatment-remedies.com/photosofcoldsores.htm

http://www.durhamsbeefarm.com/images/canker002.jpg

http://www.pg.com/science/skincare/Skin_tws_58/skin_58_01.jpg

http://www.getridofthings.com/images/coldsore1.jpg

http://www.biogetica.com/images/picture-cold-sore.jpg

DID YOU KNOW…? 30% to 60% of children ten and under

are infected with HSV1 Family and Friends sharing tooth brushes

and kissing “Asymptomatic Shedding”

Even when the sore isn’t present it can copy itself!

HSV 1 enters the body…it NEVER leaves! Cold sores can reactivate from…

Sunlight Stress Menstruation

http://www.emedicinehealth.com

(Great overview of cold sores)

http://www.animated-teeth.com

(Good info on causes and symptoms of cold sores. Also a few good facts about Primary Herpetic Stomatitis)

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk

(Good tips on prevention!)

http://www.skincareguide.com

(I got my Did You Know? Facts from this website)

http://dermatology.about.com

(Good information on different treatments)

Related links