Cold Sores

Courtney Spangler

2nd Hour

Description

• Cold sores are caused by a viral infection that attacks the skin and nervous system.

• Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on the mouth or nose.

• Herpes simplex lesion of lower lip.

• Second day after onset.

Symptoms

• The First signs of an outbreak are found around the mouth or nose and are known as the prodromal stage. This includes:– Tingling– Burning– Itching

• Within a few hours to days, the area may become reddened and develop small fluid-filled blisters.

• Several of these small blisters may even come together and form one large blister.

Affected Skin Layers

• Cold sores have a tendency to recur in the same area, most frequently at the borders of the mouth.

• Sometimes on the gums or conjunctiva (the lining of the inner surface of the eyelid).

• Usually where the skin and mucous membrane meet.

Causes

• Cold sores are caused by the virus known as herpes simplex type I (HSV-1).

• After the first episode of the disease, the virus lies dormant in the nerves or skin around the original area until something sets the virus off into another eruption.

• Colds, flu, and even stress can cause you to have an outbreak of cold sores. – HSV-1 is a very common virus. It is thought that 90% of adults

have been exposed to the virus during their lifetime.– HSV-2 is the virus that causes the sexually transmitted disease

known as genital herpes.

Cures

• Because cold sores are caused by the virus herpes simplex I, there is no cure.

• In common cases, Abreva is the best medication to put on the sore.

• In some severe cases, the doctor may prescribe a drug called Zovirax, which may help shorten the length of the outbreak.

• Also, good hand washing when a sore is present will help prevent the spread of the infection and will also help prevent the sore from becoming infected with bacteria, which may make the sore last longer.

Rarities

• The sores may become infected by bacteria.• If the condition spreads to the eyes, it can

damage vision.• In patients who suffer from atopic dermatitis, the

cold sores can, in rare cases, spread to larger parts of the body.

• Massive cold sores can be a sign that another disease, pneumonia or HIV for example, has weakened the body's defenses.

Works Cited

• http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/coldsores.htm

• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cold_sores/article_em.htm

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-sore/DS00358

Reflection

• Everyone gets cold sores from time to time, this just gives a heads up on how to help prevent them.

• I learned that they are just as easy to prevent as they are to get and treat.

• Every cold sore case is basically the same, but some are more severe or hard to treat.