Oral herpes, also known as cold sores, affects millions of people.  Once you have contracted herpes, you have it for life.   Herpes simplex 1 is the virus responsible for Oral Herpes.

This virus invades living cells in the human body and will use that cell to keep alive and multiply, although the virus will be latent most of the time.

Patients experience cold sores in the form of a rash around the mouth area.  This rash is typically itchy at first and will soon develop into blisters, then turn into a dry scab. This process takes about 7-10 days but varies from person to person.

Cold sores usually appear on your lips. They can begin as small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on a raised, red, painful area of your skin.  Occasionally, they occur on your nostrils, chin or even the fingers.

It is possible to have a herpes virus for years with no outbreak, and a person can have the virus without knowing it.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are quite different from canker sores.

While cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and are contagious, canker sores, which aren't contagious, are ulcers that occur in the soft tissues inside your mouth.

There are several factors that seem to play a role in herpes outbreaks.  The triggers can be any one or combination of the following:  stress, tiredness, cold weather, a lowered immune system and other illnesses.  Reoccurrences of cold sores may be triggered by fever, menstruation, stress and exposure to the sun.

Certain strains of the herpes virus cause cold sores

Herpes simplex virus type 1 usually causes cold sores.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 is usually responsible for genital herpes.

Either type of the virus can cause sores in the facial area or on the genitals. You get cold sores from another person who has an active lesion. Shared eating utensils, razors and towels may spread this infection.

Once you've had an episode of cold sores, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells in your skin and may emerge again as an active infection at or near the original site. You may experience an itch or heightened sensitivity at the site preceding each attack.

Cold sores are common and generally clear up on their own without treatment. Though you can't cure or prevent cold sores, you can take steps to reduce their frequency and to limit the duration of an occurrence.

If cold sores do not run their course within a 5-14 day period, or if you have any of the following, consult your doctor:

Pre-existing health condition that has compromised your immune system
Symptoms that are severe
If you have frequent recurrences of cold sores
If you experience irritation in your eyes