Cold Sores

JennyW_2

I got my very first cold sore after my father died (which was nearly 4 years ago) - I was 37. Now I was always under the impression that cold sores were caught from kissing or being kissed by someone who has one? My mum gets them as she said that she was kissed as a baby by someone who had one and has always been very careful with us whenever she's had one. As far as I'm aware, I've never kissed or been kissed by anyone with one.

So I'm wondering how I developed one at the age of 37? I thought it was due to the stress of losing my father and put it down to a one off, however I've just got the flu and got my 2nd cold sore so I must've been run down.

Do you think perhaps I've been passed the virus from someone - even if they didn't have a full outbreak of the cold sore?

Toothsmith

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/cold-sores-topic-overview

Useful site.

Most peope have been exposed to the cold sore virus - herpes simplex. But only 20-40% of those exposed go on to suffer recurrent coldsores.

They can be triggered by stress, so chances are, you - like most people - were infected in childhood, and it's just the extreme stress of the loss of your father that triggered it to become active again.

AbbieCadabra

i've suffered since i was a child, sunlight & being run down are my main triggers.

i've found taking a lysine supplement daily helps to reduce breakouts. if i do get one, i take 3 lysine per day for a week or so from when it 1st appears & they definitely aren't as severe as they used to be.

Ted_Hutchinson

About cold sores

An independent guide from the Herpes Viruses Association
......................................................................................................

Those who are interested and have a few minutes to spare may appreciate
Medicine Balls Herpes for GPs Phil Hammond

It lead me to Read the full text of Dr Kinghorn's talk here. "What I am suggesting to you is that to be infected with a herpes simplex virus is a state of normality. We tend to make this into a big deal instead of to say that to be infected with herpes virus is something that happens to all adults, some with symptoms and some of us without."

That also is straight common sense talking.

Ted_Hutchinson

Presenting these two links to readers here for their consideration does not constitute medical advice.

Green Tea catechins as a potential alternative anti-infectious agent.

Epigallocatechin Gallate Inactivates Clinical Isolates of Herpes Simplex Virus.

I like drinking green tea. I think there are many good reasons why readers may want to consider trying it either to drink or as a herbal wash but that is their decision. Readers may want also to consider Epicatechin-3-gallate, a green tea polyphenol is a potent agent against UVB-induced damage in HaCaT keratinocytes.

If we are going to make good money-saving purchases in the supermarket we need to understand the potential benefits of the things we buy. If we know one product offers potential advantages over another that is useful information entirely relevant on a money-saving website.

But as usual I am not saying anything. I simply provide the evidence for enable intelligent adults make their own sensible money-saving decisions.

If hysterical fools or ethically challenged health professionals think they can censor the information available on the Internet they are mistaken.
Truth will out in the end.

lucysmumwork

I was once told by my gp that an increase in body temp ie: when you get a cold or are on holiday can activate a cold sore. My brother and myself and sister all have suffered terribly with them but my mum and dad have never had one, so I dont know about being kissed as a baby. I used to always make sure I kept my temp down even if it meant shivering in the cold!!!

Riq

My mum gets them all the time, I told her she technically had an STD which it technically is and she went mental.

Some people just can't take science.

noonesperfect

Riq wrote: »

My mum gets them all the time, I told her she technically had an STD which it technically is and she went mental.

Some people just can't take science.

Has she got hs1 or hs 2 then?!!!!

LuciferTDark

My missus has them from time to time & I try to avoid going too close when she's in the middle of an outbreak, I know I've been exposed to the virus for over 20yrs through her but I've never once had a cold sore myself.

geekgirl

I get them occasionally and they really hurt! The bit I hate is not being able to snog me old man.
I tried compeed (if that is how you spell it, too lazy to go upstairs and get the packet) a couple of weeks ago and I really liked them but I thought they were really expensive at £6.99. Anyone know where they are cheaper?

Toothsmith

Riq wrote: »

My mum gets them all the time, I told her she technically had an STD which it technically is and she went mental.

Some people just can't take science.

I thought STDs were diseases that can only be caught through sexual contact.

Cold sores are not STDs, but genital warts are also caused by a herpes virus, and these are an STD.