Cold sore question?!
Question:
Cold sore question?
I have never had a cold sore in my life, nor has my husband. I know people who've had them, so I know what they look like. Half of his bottom lip is swollen and split there seems to be a huge white blister as well. Can someone just develop cold sores after 30 years of never having one...ever? We've been together seven years and he's never had one. I know that most people carry the virus, but not all people have symptoms. So is it usual to have had the virus in your system for a long time and never have had one then suddenly develop one? I'm sure you all know what I'm thinking but...I want to make sure I'm not just being suspicious without due cause.
Answers:
As most people contract cold sores before the age of seven, it is common for a person not to remember their first or 'primary' cold sore outbreak.
Once infected with cold sores, the virus remains inside the body in a latent (sleeping) state. Throughout a person's life the virus can then become "activated" causing a cold sore recurrence.
There are many factors that can influence or "trigger" a cold sore outbreak, however, it seems to be related to times when the immune system is lowered or run down.
Cold sore outbreaks can sometimes be triggered by the following:
Being run-down
Drinking a lot of alcohol
Exposure of the area to strong sunlight
Conditions that compromise a person's immune system (where the body's immune system is not functioning normally)
Prolonged periods of stress
Fatigue
Ultraviolet light
Skin irritation (such as sunburn)
Diet and certain foods
Another illness (especially with fever)
Temperature extremes
Steroid medication (e.g., asthma medication)
Anything that lowers your immune system or causes local injury can trigger recurrences.