What will happen to me?
Cold sores clear up without treatment in about a week to 10 days.
Cold sores don't leave a scar.1
Most people who are infected with the virus that causes them (the herpes simplex virus) get cold sores every year.2 But up to 1 in 10 people get cold sores six or more times a year.2
The virus that causes cold sores can cause a serious infection if it spreads to your eyes. It can result in blindness, but this is rare.3 People who have a weak immune system (doctors call this being immunocompromised) can also get a more serious illness from the herpes simplex virus.3 If you have a condition that means you have weak immune system (cancer or HIV, for example) and you get symptoms of herpes simplex virus infection, you should see your doctor.3
Sources for the information on this page:
- Bader C, Crumpacker CS, Schnipper LE. The natural history of recurrent facial-oral infections with the herpes simplex virus. Journal of Infectious Diseases. 1978; 138: 897-905. 216753
- Rooney JF, Straus SE, Mannix ML, et al. Oral acyclovir to suppress frequently recurrent herpes labialis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1993; 118: 268-272. 8380540
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus: Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex). August 2006. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov (accessed on 24 April 2008).
This information was last updated in May 07, 2008
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This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |
