Cold sores are caused by a type of ‘herpes simplex virus’ (HSV) that infects the mouth and then hides out in the nerve of the face. Most people don't know they’ve been infected by the virus and you can have the virus for years before you have your first cold sore outbreak.
Your first outbreak can be quite painful with severe sore throat, swollen neck glands, and fever. Other symptoms can include neck stiffness or eye pain.
Once the virus is in the nerve, it can come back as an outbreak of small blisters or sores on or around the mouth any time. You may notice a tingling, itching, or burning sensation around your lips before a cold sore outbreak. Within a few hours to a few days, painful blisters will appear. The blisters usually heal within 1 week.
There are two types of cold sore treatment offered by Lemonaid Health with oral antiviral medications. Treatment for an immediate outbreak with acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir aims to make your symptoms go away faster. Daily preventive treatment with acyclovir or valacyclovir can reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of outbreaks.