At the time you are first infected with the cold sore virus, you will get a particular set of cold sore symptoms that only occur once. Your symptoms may include headache, fever, swollen lymph glands. Also, a sore throat is quite common.



Most people do not get a cold sore the first time. Usually your symptoms show up about two weeks after initial exposure and will last about three days. This set of symptoms are often mistaken for a light bout with the flu. Or they could be very mild and barely noticeable.

FACT: Cold sore symptoms are always caused by the activity of the herpes simplex virus. This virus becomes active only to reproduce new virus. It is estimated that over 87% of people over 9 years old carry the virus permanently. This virus usually is inactive, hibernating in the nerve cells below the surface.

You will never be bothered with cold sore symptoms when the herpes virus is latent. About a third of those infected will never experience an active cold sore. For the rest of us, we can expect a cold sore once every 8 months. Many folks will get six or more per year.

Your first cold sore symptom is an itching or tingling sensation in the cold sore target area. You may also notice a dryness or burning feeling. This is caused by the virus moving to the surface and entering the nerve cells to replicate. Sometimes these symptoms go unnoticed. Usually your cold sore is only a day or two away.

The next phase of your cold sore symptoms begin with swelling of the area. Small, red pimple like bumps appear. These can be quite painful to the touch. You may feel like you are coming down with the flu. Your symptoms could include slight fever, headaches, tiredness, and the start of some swelling in your lymph glands.

Now your hard, painful bumps will swell, burst and merge into on open cold sore wound. This is quite painful as the sore is built on the end of your nerves in that area. You will likely get a runny nose, headaches, and increased fever-like conditions.

This is probably your most painful time. You will find the lymph glands under the jaw are now quite swollen and painful also. Your sore will be draining a clear fluid packed with cold sore virus. You are especially contagious at this time.

After a couple days a yellowish crust will form over your sore. It will still be painful when you touch it. Also, the crust will often crack open when you move your mouth causing more pain. At this point your fever, headaches and swollen glands start to get a little better. You will continue to feel discomfort and itching as the wound heals.

Normally your scab will fall off in a few days. This will reveal new skin but healing will still be taking place beneath - which will continue to cause you itching and redness of the area for another week or two. Your fever and headaches should be about gone now. Your lymph glands should be greatly reduced.

During your final healing process, the cold sore could come back again. Keep using your best cold sore treatment during this time. If you are taking a vitamin supplement or lysine, keep doing so. This is the easiest time to get a repeat attach of a cold sore.

Sorry - there is so much more you should know that can prevent cold sores in your life, but I have run out of space right now. Please heed the following caution.

You must be careful not to spread the cold sore virus to someone else or cause a new cold sore site on your own body. Keep in mind that this virus is easily spread and quite contagious during all of these cold sore symptoms.