The Amazing Cold Sores Herpes Virus
Watch out for the destructive cold sores herpes virus. It is a type of the herpes simplex virus. The herpes simplex virus type 1 causes most cold sores. About 20% of cold sores are caused by the type 2 version. Both types create identical cold sore events.
The cold sores herpes virus, although a very small living spec, certainly produces huge damage in a hurry. It hides in your nerve cells close to the area of initial infection. When in hibernation, it shuts down nearly completely, thus it leaves no detectable sign of its location.
This virus is basically invisible to our own body defenses as well as any medicines so far devised. This is one big reason medical science has not yet found any way to remove the cold sore virus from your body.
Because it lives in your nervous system, the cold sores herpes virus can sense quickly when the conditions are right to replicate. The virus will then travel to the surface along its home nerve fiber. It is during this travel you will feel an itching, tingling sensation.
The only purpose for this virus to be active is to create new virus. It is not able to reproduce by interaction with other virus. The cold sores herpes virus must enter a nerve cell at the surface and force that cell to creates copies of itself.
When the cell cannot create any more virus, the controlling virus then destroys the cell, releasing all the new clones. All these destroyed cells, close together, causes the cold sore ulcer that you see. Your defense system, in an effort to cleanse the area, creates a clear fluid to carry these new virus away.
The fluid is teaming with new virus and thus very contagious. You must use caution as this is the most common time to spread the virus to new areas of your body - or to a friend or loved one. Sanitize the wound with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol continuously. Try to avoid touching with bare fingers.
As you can see - the cold sores herpes virus is very destructive. Fortunately the damage it causes is superficial - on the surface rather than internally. It is not considered life threatening, and it does not spread internally.
Stress is the main contributing factor to cold sore outbreaks - but who can eliminate stress?
Your body experiences many changes - some quite dramatic - when you suffer stress. Your body consumes vitamins at an increased rate, your pH balance goes toward the acid side, and your immune system weakens. Just a change in your vitamin and mineral intake could prevent cold sores in most cases.
A good daily vitamin supplement can greatly reduce the negative effects of stress and help eliminate cold sore occurrence. Also, organic fruits and vegetables can have a huge impact on your health and cold sore resistance. Increasing lysine intake by food or supplement can, by itself, dramatically reduce your cold sore events.
There are many tips, tricks and tactics for treating cold sores that will help you that you should explore. I would like to give you one right now that has been very effective for the people I work with.
One of the most common methods of treating cold sores is the application of ice or some other cold object. If applied early, at the first sign of itching or tingling, this can stall out or prevent a cold sore. After the cold sore actually breaks out, then use a warm object such as a tea bag to help heal quickly.
The best course is to avoid getting this virus. If you are already infected and suffer from outbreaks, you will be happy to learn that you do not have to any longer. With a little research you will find there are many proven ways to easily defeat the cold sores herpes virus.
