Cold Sores
Medical Author:
Mohamad El Mortada, MD
Medical Author:
MaryAnn Tran, MD
Medical Author:
Corrine Young, PharmD
Medical Author:
Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP
Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACPMary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Cold Sores OverviewCold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores that appear on the lips, mouth, or nose that are caused by a virus. The sores can be painful and usually last a few days. Unlike most viral infections, the cold sore virus is not completely eliminated by the body defenses. For this reason, cold sores often recur.
Viewer Comments & ReviewsHerpes Simplex Infections (Cold Sores, Non-Genital) - TreatmentsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:How were your herpes simples infections (cold sores, non-genital) treated? Herpes Simplex Infections (Cold Sores, Non-Genital) - Describe Your ExperienceThe eMedicineHealth physician editors asked:Please describe your experience with herpes simplex infections (cold sores, non-genital). |
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Cold Sores
Genital Herpes Overview
Genital herpes is a common, highly infectious disease caused by a virus that infects genital areas. It is transmitted from one person to another during sexual activity. Genital herpes causes blisters or groups of small ulcers (open sores) on and around the genitals in both men and women. Genital herpes cannot be cured; however, there are medications that can be prescribed to treat outbreaks and minimize the symptoms.
- Genital herpes is extremely widespread, largely because it is so contagious. Carriers can transmit the disease without having any symptoms of an active infection.
- At least 45 million Americans are infected with the genital herpes virus, with approximately one million new infections each year. About one out of six people 14 to 49 years of age have genital HSV-2 infection. As many as 80%-90% of those infected fail to recognize genital herpes symptoms or have no symptoms at all.
- The highe...
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Herpes Simplex »
Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are DNA viruses that cause acute skin infections and present as grouped vesicles on an erythematous base.
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