[jenlhensonpa (OP)]

I've had cold sores since I was very young. I've read there is a genetic disposition- a faulty gene. My Mom has severe recurrent cold sores as well, even though she's over 50. Every year I had a cold sore for my class picture.

I typically get a fairly severe headache, malaise and swollen lymph nodes in the neck before and during cold sore attack.  I have probably 5-6 different spots on my lips where they recur.  Sometimes as one is coming on, I get another one in a different place on the lips. They usually will get very big compared to others I see. I work in the ER as a physician assistant and RARELY see cold sores. I take Valtrex 1000 mg at first sign of symptoms.  There has been a recent study showing this is very effective as a one-time treatment. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Does anyone else feel quite ill with cold sores?  I can't find anything on the Net about such severe prodrome/associated symptoms with RECURRENT outbreaks- just with initial.  Sometimes I've had a good fever with outbreaks as well.

[Karen W.]

Welcome To the forums Jen!  My husband gets cold sores but never any of the other symtoms, our pharmicist recomended taking L-lysine at the first symptoms of the cold sore and to continue as this would lesson the chances or something. I cannot remember his exact explaination. It has worked wonders, and he hardly gets them anymore. You should try it! I hope your valtrex works! Maybe someone else could tell you more.I have never in 46 years had one, so I cannot tell you based on my own personal experience!....Karen

[another_someone]

My understanding is that cold sores are a result of viral infection.  As I understand it, it is one of the various herpes family of viruses, and is highly contagious – so I can well imagine it will easily pass from parent to child.  There are various lotions that can dell with the symptoms (the cold sore itself) when they arise (usually as a result of stress), but nothing will get rid of the underlying infection.

http://www.dermnetnz.org/viral/herpes-simplex.html

quote:
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.

George

[Karen W.]

Oh! George does that mean I could actually get it from hubby? He was getting them all the time for years. I never did and still have never had one. That is so wierd. He still gets them, but can nip them in the bud with L Lysine. They look like they hurt!! .....Karen

[another_someone]

quote:Originally posted by Karen W.
Oh! George does that mean I could actually get it from hubby? He was getting them all the time for years. I never did and still have never had one. That is so wierd. He still gets them, but can nip them in the bud with L Lysine. They look like they hurt!! .....Karen

Yes, I think it does – but I believe it is only while the sores are active, and if he manages the active sores well, then the likelihood of contagion is more limited.  It may also be possible that you have already caught the virus, but simply don't react to it (or have such a slight reaction that you cannot notice it) – in that respect, even though the virus itself is contagious, the reaction to the virus may have a genetic component.

George

[another_someone]

My understanding is that cold sores are a result of viral infection.  As I understand it, it is one of the various herpes family of viruses, and is highly contagious – so I can well imagine it will easily pass from parent to child.  There are various lotions that can dell with the symptoms (the cold sore itself) when they arise (usually as a result of stress), but nothing will get rid of the underlying infection.

http://www.dermnetnz.org/viral/herpes-simplex.html

quote:
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.

George

[another_someone]

quote:Originally posted by Karen W.
Oh! George does that mean I could actually get it from hubby? He was getting them all the time for years. I never did and still have never had one. That is so wierd. He still gets them, but can nip them in the bud with L Lysine. They look like they hurt!! .....Karen

Yes, I think it does – but I believe it is only while the sores are active, and if he manages the active sores well, then the likelihood of contagion is more limited.  It may also be possible that you have already caught the virus, but simply don't react to it (or have such a slight reaction that you cannot notice it) – in that respect, even though the virus itself is contagious, the reaction to the virus may have a genetic component.

George

[BillJx]

quote:Originally posted by Karen W.

Oh! George does that mean I could actually get it from hubby?

You bet! You've been lucky. It's important to practice careful hygiene with cold sores.  There's lots of information available on treatment, hygiene, etc.

[Karen W.]

I must say, I do avoid a kiss with that nasty thing on his lip, It is so oozie when he gets one, it kind grosses me out! Are they only contagious while they have erupted, Cause then I should be safe, no kissing with nasty lip(I know that sounds terrible) I am tad squimish!!

Karen

[sofi]

i am 21 and have suffered with cold sores for as long as i can remember. i normally get them when i am run down, stressed, been ill, sudden change in weather and air con on planes. i use zovirax but find that because i have them so often i dont feel the tingle beforehand so i normally catch it when there is a tiny bump under the skin, but find this brings the coldsore out quicker which forms a large blister and looks awful. last week i got one on my bottom lip which spread to my top lip and as i thought they had both gone the botton one disappeared and i felt one appearing on the middle bit of my nose so i put some cream on as i was only hoping it was going to be a spot and now it is huge and the scabs are turning orange and to top it off the one on my top lip has appeared. i which there was some cure for them as i can get them as much as once a month and even tho i can get rid of them after about 5 days it is still too long when they are on the middle of your face
i want to try something else but i am scared it could make them worse, any suggestions?

[goldmouse]

I have had cold sores all my life and am now 54 y/o. A new dentist noticed that I had an ongoing at my last visit. He commented on the fact that he also had cold sores and cured then with a prescription ointment which also comes in tablet. I said that I was defiantly interested in it. He mentioned that that the tab form must be taken at the very onset to be effective, whereas the cream could be kept handy and applied numerous times over different attacks. I was dubious, but thought if my insurance paid some of the cost I was willing to pay my share. This stuff is expensive, but effective. It's called Denavir and for me it worked wonders. I got one tube and still have some left, and keep it just in case. I haven't had a need to use it now for 4 months.
I am not selling anything as some people do on these forums.
John

[sparkly]

Sofi....if you are into things natural, google Virasoothe, it is amazing! Zovirax stopped working for me, i seemed to become immune to it.  I have had cold sores a bit like you - almost back to back.  Since I first used this product about 10 years ago, I have not had a single one!!

[Robinson]

Most people often cold sores from adults when they are babies.... the virus actually hides in the nerve cell until it's activated - usually by stress and a drop in your body's immune defense. Lots of things can trigger this "re-activation" - bad diet, lack of sleep, too much sun. So wear your sunblock!

[stevtaylor]

One of the things that really helped me out with my cold sores are eating less nuts and chocolate. These foods are high in arginine...which has been shown to increase the chance of cold sore occurrance. I also use a special lip balm that blocks the sun's rays.

There are a bunch more cold sore remedies here: newbielink:http://cold-sore-remedies.weebly.com [nonactive]

Steve

[strop]

Man, I have had the dreaded Cold Sores at least monthly for decades, if there is a treatment or so called remedy out there then I have tried it!
The Lysine - Arginine ratio seems to be the main trigger, this can be found by a simple search so try it out. I was getting pretty good at it but still hit with the Blisters out of left field. Looked at coldsoresnomore.com and have not had a Cold Sore for months, seems to be a good report, although I have not trashed my self lately, maybe I should just for a test..... [xx(]   

[javelinpc]

I'm not sure is this is current but here goes
My daughter and I both suffer with cold sores and like several people here, we too have
never found anything over the counter or from the doctor that works. She came
across a website that sells a home made remedy.  She ordered a pot of this
mixture and it healed her cold sore within about 4 days.
She was delighted to find something that actually works for a change, especially
as she was to be a bridesmaid at a wedding the following week.  She gave me some
to try and it virtually stopped mine in its tracks when I started to develop
one.  I have told several of my friends about it and they are all giving it a
try.  Personally, we think it’s an excellent product and it’s all natural
ingredients. 

The website address if anyone is interested is carmans.org.uk

I apologise for the delay in writing but this is all a bit new to me (forums)
Geoffrey

[Farcanal]

Most people often cold sores from adults when they are babies.... the virus actually hides in the nerve cell until it's activated - usually by stress and a drop in your body's immune defense. Lots of things can trigger this "re-activation" - bad diet, lack of sleep, too much sun. So wear your sunblock!

We contract the virus for our mother's birth canal. Almost everyone carries the virus but some never get an outbreak. Tincture of Iodine will help wnen the lesion blisters but looks a bit off. Worth a try if one is desperate.

All medicine cabinets should have these things in there as a matter of course: Tincture of Iodine, Hydrogen peroxide (very powerful antiseptic), Friars Balsam (respiratory relief) and Condy Salts (potassium Permanganate) Condy's and Iodine will stain but are excellent for all kinds of sterilizing. It will purify water too in tiny ammounts.

[JudithPoodith]

I am replying juust a few years too late, but just in case anyone searches this issue, the answer is YES! I get quite ill when cold sores are present...malaise, weakness, feeling as if the infectionnis systemic. I have scoured the web, and all I find is concerning the vety serious systemic infection that imuno-compromised people can get, that can cause encephalitis (sp). It is frustrating, I cannot function as I need to, and often it takes a very long time to heal.
I don't know why there isn't more about this, on the web. We can't be the only ones!

[CliffordK]

Judith,
It sounds frustrating.  Has your physician diagnosed the cause of your recurrent cold sores and illness? 

Herpes may be one potential cause.  There are now some good treatments for Herpes that can both prevent flare-ups, as well as treat them if they do occur.

It is possible that the antivirals might help with other viral infections too if the viruses are similar to the target virus.

[heliski55]

I have tried just about every product/ice/natural cure/etc.  Best thing I have found by far is viradux-coldsore.  You just use it like a chapstick 4x per day and no more gross cold sores.  I think it's fairly new.  Hope this helps!