How does one prevent Cold Sores and Fever Blisters?

Cold sores, also referred to as fever blisters, are clusters of small blisters on the lip and outer edge of the mouth. It causes itchy, hot sensation at the edge of your lip. Cold sores spread through direct contact with someone who has them. Other than kissing, you could get the virus merely by touching the hand of someone who touched her own cold sore a few minutes before.

Here’s how you can prevent cold sores.

Vaccination

Currently several vaccines are under development against HSV (types 1 and 2). However these vaccines are effective for protection only in people who have never been infected.

Other Precautions

Measures such as use of sunscreen on the lips may help to prevent cold sores and fever blisters due to exposure to sun. If there is going to be an obvious trigger such as a dental procedure your dentist or physician may prescribe medicines to prevent outbreaks. Similarly in people with a suppressed immune system, antiviral medications may prevent cold sores from occurring.

Prevention of Primary Herpes

Primary herpes infection can be prevented. Do not let a person with cold sores, fever blisters or signs of a primary herpes infection kiss your child. However even if you take adequate precaution almost all children get infected with HSV-1 by the time they reach adulthood.