Cold sore virus is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. It is also one of the oldest. Today, it has acquired epidemic proportions, and causes cold sores. The cold sore virus is medically known as the Herpes Simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of cold sore virus: Type 1 and Type 2. In many cases of cold sore diseases, it is Type 1 virus which is mainly responsible. Type 2 strain is the virus that causes genital herpes. It is rarer than Type 1 virus.
The cold sore virus attacks when the immune system of the body decreases, or cells of the body lose their defensive ability. The body's immune system could go down due to physical or mental stress. It is common for viruses to be present in human bodies, but the cold sore virus is entirely different. Other viruses come and go, but the cold sore virus remains dormant in the nerve cell fibers and attacks when the body's immunity weakens as stress level increases. As soon as this happens, the cold sore virus moves to the surface of the body along the nerve fibers and starts replicating.
A cold sore results in the elevation of the skin, particularly on lips, cheeks, and chin. This spot is more commonly known as cold sore vesicles or tiny hard group of blisters. In some time, all the small blisters break open and merge to form a big blister. The cold sore is highly contagiousat this stage. After a span of time, the blister turns yellowish and a crust forms over it. The healing process of the cold sore begins from here. However, it must be noted that it does not mean the cold sore is wiped out. I lies dormant in the body throughout its life the the immune system slackens, cold sore reoccurs. Remember, once inside a body, the cold sore virus it will remain in it the entire life.
Till date, medical science has found no permanent solution for cold sores. One has to allow the virus to run its course. That said, it doesn't mean that there is no remedy at all to reduce the span of a cold sore outbreak. There are pills and lotions that can be used as a preventive measure against the cold sore virus. Apart from these, there are some natural remedies that are known to reduce the total time of healing cold sores. The increase of Lysine, a protein, has proven to be effective in shortening the duration of cold sore. It replaces another protein Arginine which is crucial for the virus to be able to replicate. The cold sore virus, therefore, retreats from the surface if the cell does not have Argenine.
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