Cold Sores Facts
Welcome to coldsorefacts.com.au, a premium internet resource for useful information about cold sores, including facts about how they can be spread, what you can do to prevent them and a review of the newest and most effective cold sore treatments on the market.
Common Facts about Cold Sores
- Cold sores are caused by a common virus which affects an estimated 8 out of 10 people.[1]
- Cold sores are NOT something that you get from being dirty, careless or going through puberty - they are caused by a widespread virus that is as easy to catch as the flu.
- Once you catch a cold sore, the virus resides inside the body permanently (just like every other virus) and for some people this can mean that a cold sore may pop up from time to time.
- Over 75% of adults have been exposed to the cold sore virus at some time in their life.[1]
- Approximately 30% of people have recurring cold sore symptoms[2]
- The rate of cold sore symptoms coming back is typically once every three months, or four times a year. However many people never experience symptoms (or very rarely) and some people experience them more regularly than this.
- It can take a few days for a cold sore to develop when you first contract the virus,
usually between 2 to 20 days after contact. [3]
Image of a cold sore and swelling on the bottom lip
View more cold sore pictures here
Facts about Cold Sore Symptoms
References:
1. Cunningham A.L., et al, (2006) "Prevalence of infection with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in Australia: a nationwide population based survey", Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Centre: University of Sydney, Apr;82(2):164-8
2. D. Scott Smith, M.D., (2008) "MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Herpes labialis", US National Library of Medicine
3. Hilton, Lisette., (2002) "Cold Sore", Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Other Helpful Resources: Herpes Facts | Herpes Cold Sores (HC) Support Forum | Sexual Health Resource | STD Information | Natural Cold Sore Treatments
