Cure Cold Sores

www.coldsoresnyc.org (212)-644-9494 Herpes simplex Herpes simplex is a common viral infection that presents with localised blistering. It affects most people on one or more occasions during their lives. There are two main types of herpes simplex virus (HSV), although there is considerable overlap. Type 1, which is mainly associated with facial infections (cold sores or fever blisters) Type 2, which is mainly genital (genital herpes) Both type 1 and type 2 herpes simplex viruses reside in a latent state in the nerves which supply sensation to the skin. During an attack, the virus grows down the nerves and out into the skin or mucous membranes where it multiplies, causing the clinical lesion. After each attack it ‘dies back’ up the nerve fibre and enters the resting state again. First or primary attacks of Type 1 infections occur mainly in infants and young children, which are usually mild or subclinical. In crowded, underdeveloped areas of the world up to 100% of children have been infected by the age of 5. In higher socioeconomic groups the incidence is lower, for example less than half of university entrants in Britain have been infected. Type 2 infections occur mainly after puberty, often transmitted sexually. The initial infection more commonly causes symptoms. How do you get the infection? The infection can be passed on from someone else with an active infection and it can also be passed on from individuals without symptoms. The virus is shed in saliva and genital …