Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Cold sore

Cold sores are usually passed on early in childhood when someone is kissed by a person such as a family member, with an active cold sore. The virus goes through the skin and travels up the nerve, where it lies dormant until triggered.

Attacks appear to be triggered by:

• emotional upset;
• fatigue and tiredness; 
• colds or other viruses that weaken the body’s defences; 
• menstrual periods; and
• strong sunlight and cold winds.

Triggers are different for each person.

Cold sores do not usually appear until after puberty, although children may experience the primary infection with a fever and sore throat.

You are not usually infectious unless you have an active cold sore.

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