What is a Cold Sore, Fever Blister?
Many people are not aware that Fever Blisters and Cold Sores both refer to the same thing, an infection on the lips caused by the human herpes simplex virus, usually type 1 (HSV-1). The medical term is known as oral herpes. A cold sore typically begins as an itch, tingle, or tenderness to the touch (prodrome), and progresses on to become a skin eruption. As the disease progresses, small fluid filled vesicles may form and join together. These eventually break due to disease progression and form ulcers. The ulcers may weep fluid when they are open. They are very contagious at this time. The ulcers then scab over and heal spontaneously without complications in 7-14 days. Cold sores / fever blisters usually occur on or very near the lips. Some people may get more than one cold sore at a time. Some people may get them under the nose and in surrounding areas. Oral herpes can also occur inside the mouth occurring on the roof of the mouth and the gum adjacent to the teeth only (non movable tis
