What Causes Cold Sores?
Article Sources
- 1. Tan, J. (2017, August 18). Is stress causing your cold sores? Www.Avogel.co.uk. https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/immune-system/cold-sores/is-stress-causing-your-cold-sores/
- 2. World. (2020, January 5). Herpes simplex virus. Who.Int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus
- 3. Hall, O. J., Klein, S. L. (2017). Progesterone-based compounds affect immune responses and susceptibility to infections at diverse mucosal sites. Mucosal Immunology, 10(5), 1097–1107. Nature Research. https://doi.org/10.1038/mi.2017.35
- 4. Cold Sore Triggers: Do Certain Foods Cause Outbreaks? (2020, January 27). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-sore-triggers
3. Person-to-Person Contact
While herpes type 2 often takes form as a sexually transmitted disease that affects the genitals area, type 1 herpes can be spread from person to person in other ways. Cold sores are very contagious, so people can contract the virus if they kiss another person with a sore or touch the sore before touching their own mouth. Both types of herpes can be spread through sexual contact as well.
In some situations, asymptomatic shedding can occur, which involves the spread of herpes when no sores or symptoms are present. Most people contract herpes when they are a child and continue to carry the infection for the rest of their life. According to a 2016 study, approximately 45% of Americans and 67% of the world under the age of 50 have herpes.2World. (2020, January 5). Herpes simplex virus. Who.Int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus
Advertisement
