Cold Sores (Fever Blisters): What You Should Know
Cold sores, often called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). While generally not dangerous, they are contagious, uncomfortable, and tend to recur after your first outbreak. That’s because the virus stays in your body permanently—it lies dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate due to various triggers.
Cold Sores (Fever Blisters): What You Should Know
Cold sores, often called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). While generally not dangerous, they are contagious, uncomfortable, and tend to recur after your first outbreak. That’s because the virus stays in your body permanently—it lies dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate due to various triggers.
