Herpes simplex virus (HSV), the virus that causes cold sores, is extremely common. In fact, about two-thirds of people under 50 have it, according to an estimate from the World Health Organization ... Which cold sore treatment is best?

Context Explanation

Whether you call them cold sores or fever blisters, they’re all the same. These painful, itchy bumps that form on the lips and around the mouth make life difficult ... Q: With regard to treating cold sores, I use pure vanilla. At the first sign of a cold sore, I pour a small amount of vanilla extract on a cotton ball and hold it on the cold sore for one or two ...

Insight Material

Q. What is the best treatment for cold sores and fever blisters? A. Cold sores and fever blisters are one and the same. They're caused by the herpes simplex virus, the same virus that also causes ...

Final Conclusion

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have noticed that a lot of people write to you about cold sores. Valtrex works to totally inhibit them. I have suffered from cold sores since the age of 4. When I was in my early 30s, ... Cold sores — also called fever blisters — are a common viral infection.

They are tiny, fluid-filled blisters on and around your lips. These blisters are often grouped together in patches. After the ... Canker sores and oral herpes, also called cold sores, are common conditions with some similarities, which could lead you to confuse the two.