Cold sores virus infects an incredible 89% of the world population, the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) estimates.
YES - and 67% of those infected with the cold sores virus will have at least one cold sore event in the next 12 months.
And 47.5% of those folks will have multiple cold sores episodes during that period.
Cold sores are one of our most contagious viruses - and one of our oldest. Even in ancient Rome, an epidemic of cold sores caused Emperor Tiberius to outlaw kissing in public ceremonies.
As a global epidemic, or "pandemic", there is no better example than cold sores.
NO - cold sores, unlike bird flu, aren't life threatening. But, let's be frank, cold sores are hideous - and they're painful. On top of that, cold sores cause flu like symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph glands in a lot of people.
Cold sores last 3 to 4 weeks on average - a long time for you to be socially sidelined! They shout "I HAVE HERPES" to the entire world.
And cold sores cost us money in lost days at work and constant purchase of medications. Always hoping to finally find something - ANYTHING - to stop our cold sores curse.
Check out these little known facts about cold sores - and what you can do right now to get rid of your cold sores problem.
Cold sores are caused by the reproductive cycle of a herpes virus. There are currently 8 known human herpes viruses. Of these, only 2 are a major cause of cold sores.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV1) is responsible for about 80% of facial cold sores - and about 20% of genital herpes lesions. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV2) causes about 20% of cold sores and 80% of genital herpes blisters.
HSV1 is most often referred to as the "cold sores virus", "fever blister virus" and "oral herpes" - and some others that I can't mention in a public article.
Cold sores virus may be latent (asleep) for weeks or years in the nerve ganglia near the back of the jaw close to the brain stem.
More specifically, the cold sores virus hides inside your cells - making it very difficult for your body defenses to locate and deal with them.
When your body's defenses weaken, due to physical or emotional stress, the cold sores virus leaves these cells, travel down the nerve fibers, like a super-highway to the lip or nose surface - to create cold sores.
There are 8 cold sore stages. The first is the latent inactive stage. The next 7 cold sore stages are the ACTIVE stages. From the first tingle to the last red spot, your cold sores are extremely contagious.
Cold sores are most often spread by physical contact - but can even be transmitted by coughing or sneezing during the active stages of your cold sores.
Medical science is working around-the-clock to find a cure for common cold sores. They've had a few minor breakthroughs that may lead to some real solutions in the next couple of years.
Basically medical scientists are approaching the cold sores virus on 2 levels.
1. A VACCINE preventing you from actually contracting the cold sores virus in the first place. One such vaccine is currently being moved into human testing. Downside is - it only works on people who have never been exposed to cold sores virus. Since nearly everyone on the planet has been exposed, it seems of very little value even if approved. But it's an encouraging move forward.
2. AN ANTI-VIRAL to kill the cold sore virus already in our body. This is difficult since it has to find and kill the virus without damaging the nerve cells they are hiding in. The prescription anti-viral medications scientists have come up with so far have not worked very well at all - at least on cold sores virus.
Acyclovir, for example, is an anti-viral that's being promoted as a cold sores wonder drug. In real life studies, however, a course of acyclovir only reduced cold sores by 2 days. And it only worked for 47.8% in the trials. No big deal here.
Acyclovir topical cream came in even worse - no noticeable help at all. Medical scientists agree and have publicly stated that the actives in acyclovir don't get through the skin to the infection. Don't waste your money on this.
COLD SORES NATURAL SCIENCE TO THE RESCUE!
Did you know - medical knowledge has more than doubled in the past 5 years alone? Worldwide internet communication has made it possible.
More important - natural home remedies, such as effective cold sores treatments, are coming in from all corners of the globe.
In fact, many doctors are now advising their patients to check out these natural remedies for cold sores.
Data studies have shown these natural remedies to reduce suffering time of cold sores by an incredible 79% - plus actually PREVENTING future cold sores from happening altogether (they don't kill the cold sores virus - but they do keep it inactive indefinitely).
If you're a cold sores victim, your best choice - fact is, your ONLY choice today - is to buy and apply one of these excellent natural remedies.
There are several solidly proven remedies for you to look into on this site or other sites - and the best news is they're available right now for your cold sores.
by Denny Bodoh
Copyright 2005 drbodoh
About the Author
Denny Bodoh is a newspaper publisher and has been a health and nutrition writer for 33 years. To learn more about cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes visit his popular web site at:
http://www.be-cold-sore-free.com
