Causes and Symptoms of Cold Sores
Knowing Cold Sores
Cold Sores are clusters of small blisters on the lip and outer edge of the mouth. The skin around the blisters often becomes red and inflamed. The blisters can break open, ooze a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. Some equivalent terms that are used to refer to cold sores are “fever blisters” and the medical term “recurrent herpes labialis.”
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and once infected by HSV, it remains with us for life. Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV is highly contagious.
There are actually two types of herpes simplex virus, “type 1″ and “type 2.”
Type 1 herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (”HSV1″) generally infects those body tissues that lie “above the waistline” and it is HSV1 that causes cold sores in the majority of cases.
Type 2 herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (”HSV2″) usually infects those body tissues that lie “below the waistline” only and it is this virus that is also known as “genital herpes.” Herpes simplex virus type 2 is not usually the virus that causes cold sores, although it has the capacity of doing so.
How is the virus transmitted?
The cold sore virus is basically transferred through direct or indirect physical contact. Instances of direct contact are viral transmission during kissing or other intimate behaviors. Indirect contact can occur when live virus is transferred through children putting infected object into their mouths, using of someone else’s towel, handkerchief, drinking from a common cup or glass and sharing of facial cosmetics, such a lipstick. Often the infection spreads among the members of the family due to normal contact. A kiss from a friend or relative having a lesion can introduce the virus to a person who may not have been previously exposed. The virus remains active is moist and wet surface.
Major symptoms of cold sores
* No symptoms – When a clinical infection occurs for the first time in an individual, it is called a primary infection. Primary HSV-1 infection is often sub-clinical (no recognizable symptoms) and thus often goes unnoticed.
* Lip ulcers
* Mouth ulcers
* Genital ulcers – rarely
* Corneal ulcers
* Conjunctival ulcers
* Gingivostomatitis – Inflammation of the gums and other mucous membranes in the mouth such as the tongue and inside of the cheeks. The herpes simplex virus is one of a number of possible causes of gingivostomatitis
* Recurrent cold sores
Why do we get cold sores?
Cold sores are not the result of a recently acquired herpes simplex infection instead it is reactivation of herpes virus particles already living in your body. Cold sores occur when latent herpes simplex virus particles, which have been lying dormant, become active. The dormant virus particles come from a previous herpes infection. A person’s initial herpes simplex virus infection, termed “primary herpetic stomatitis,” does not usually take the form of a cold sore and therefore a person may not relate their initial exposure to the herpes virus to the recurrent cold sores that they get. Though the basic cause of cold sores for everyone is the herpes simplex virus still not all infected get cold sores. Let’s see why it happens.
There are 3 main conditions that trigger the outbreak of cold sores.
1. A weakened immune system.
A number of things affect our immune system, but probably the most important thing is the nutrients we get from food and supplements. One simple way to boost our immune system is to have a proper intake of vitamin and mineral supplements. To put it simply, a weakened immune system is a primary cause of cold sores outbreaks.
2. More arginine and low lysine in cells can increase cold sore activity.
Arginine an amino acid and is the main ingredient for building new virus. Without sufficient arginine, new virus cannot be formed, thus halting the replication. This means no cold sores. Lysine appears to help the body absorb and conserve calcium and it plays an important role in the formation of collagen, a substance important for bones and connective tissues including skin, tendon, and cartilage. Lysine and arginine compete with each other for the same space in the cell. Taking lysine supplements can speed recovery time and reduce the chance of recurrent breakouts of the herpes infection. Lysine is an essential amino acid is essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For this reason, lysine must be obtained from food.
3. Low pH causes cold sores.
Our acid and alkaline balance, called pH balance, is very fragile. A pH of seven is neutral. Anything below seven is acid, and above is alkaline. The perfect pH balance for optimal health is 7.5. Normally the body regulates pH level within the 6.5 to 7.4 range. A balanced diet of vegetables, meats, and fruits will help in maintaining a good pH level. Eat more vegetables, especially the green ones. Our body uses calcium as its main protocol for keeping our pH above 7. It sucks calcium out of your bones in doing so. This often causes osteoporosis or similar problems. Eat foods high in calcium contents and take a good nutritional supplement that contains a good supply of minerals. Tobacco, soda, and pork contribute to acidity. So, it is advisable to avoid these foods to check cold sores.
One typical cold sore trigger is stress. Eliminating stress is the most often suggested solution for reducing, or preventing cold sores.Physical or mental stress affect us physically in three specific ways.
Stress consumes a lot of B and C vitamins, thus weakening your immune system.
It lowers your body pH into the acid side of normal, which encourages the herpes virus.
It lowers lysine and raises arginine in the nerve cells and increases the risk of cold sore out breaks.