Signs and Symptoms of Cold Sores

The signs and symptoms are not visible in everyone who has this infection. Having the signs and symptoms depends on whether you’ve had the virus for some time or if you just got infected newly.

Signs in Newly Infected People

Most people got infected when they were kids, but not all children with this virus exhibit signs and symptoms. In cases where the symptoms show, signs of cold sores in newly infected children are:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Pains and body aches
• Fever
• Swollen glands like the lymph nodes
• Experiencing pain when swallowing
• Throat infection
• Painful mouth sores on the tongue, throat, lips, or gums
• A burning sensation in the mouth

These signs can persist for 1 to 2 weeks.

It is rare for adults to contract this virus; it is commonly gotten in childhood, and if you do catch it as an adult, you might not display any sign or symptom, and if you do, it will be the same as those newly infected children.

Most adults who catch this virus complain about painful sores inside their throat and flu.

If You’ve Had The Virus for Some Time

At infection, the HSV virus travels to your nerves and stays there until it is reactivated — the virus lives in your body permanently, and there is no cure for it. The virus might be in your nerves, and you might not have the signs or symptoms.

It is also possible not to get a cold sore if the virus lives in your body, but some people can have cold sores from time to time. If you have cold sores frequently, the outbreak would be less severe than the first case of infection.

The signs and symptoms of frequent infection of cold sores also vary. If you contact cold sores, you will notice the following signs and symptoms.

1. Warning signs

One or two days before you get cold sores, you will notice one or more of the following on the area of your skin where the cold sore will appear.

• Throbbing
• Itching
• Tingling sensation
• Burning
• The skin feels a little numb
• Stinging sensation

Some people might have these symptoms but never get cold sores.

2. The appearance of cold sores

Cold sores start to appear, and they can be painful. They are filled with fluid and form around your mouth or on your lips. They may also appear on any part of your face.

You can see an eye doctor immediately if you have a cold sore near your eyes; this might make your eyes painful and sensitive to light. Your eyes can also feel runny or gritty.

You need immediate treatment if any of these symptoms develop, your eyes might be affected if you don’t seek urgent medical help. Sometimes, these blisters can appear somewhere else, like on the hands or genital areas.

This occurs when you spread the virus by touching your mouth and touching other parts of your body. Avoid touching the sores and other parts of your body to prevent this spread.

Regularly wash your hands, especially after touching a cold sore.

3. Sores Crust Over

Cold sores usually break open within 48 hours of the warning symptoms. They will ooze out fluids and then form scabs (crust over). In most cases, the sores disappear within a duration of 5 to 15 days in healthy people, and they don’t leave a scar.

You should contact our dermatology clinic London if your cold sores stay longer than 15 days. You might need treatment to get rid of the cold sores.