Cold Sores – Are They Really That Dangerous?

Under normal circumstances cold sores are not really classed as something dangerous. This being said, even if they aren’t life-threatening, they can still be deemed as a danger. A particular issue with them is the fact that they are formed by what is known as the herpes simplex virus and new cold sores are formed when these herpes virus’ get into the healthy cells of the body. It then stimulates these cells to form new incidences of the virus, spreading throughout the body at the same time. When there are too many of the viruses building up in one particular area, they form a cold sore.

One of the most dangerous aspects of a cold sore is the fact that it is incredibly contagious. It remains contagious during the entire two or three weeks that they are visible. Any one who comes in contact with the fluid that leaks out of the sore has a very large chance of being infected, and once infected, they can never be rid of the virus. The virus will also be present in all of your bodily fluids, including semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva.

If you are pregnant, the cold sore presents another danger. Because the virus is present in vaginal fluids, doctors will not allow you to have a vaginal delivery. This is because it is possible the baby could become infected with herpes during birth. In fact, the baby could actually get herpes in his or her eyes, a very real threat that could cause blindness.

Cold sores in the eyes, in fact, can cause permanent damage to anyone, not simply babies. If the sores spread to your eyes, you may find yourself facing permanent blindness as they can damage your cornea. While cold sores don’t often appear on the eyes naturally, the virus can move to your eyes if you wipe your eyes with a towel or your fingers after touching it.

As you can see, a cold sore can indeed be very dangerous, especially if you aren’t careful. You should do your best to keep your hands clean; wash them frequently, especially if you touch the area around your cold sore.

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