Are Fever Blisters Contagious: Understanding the Dynamics of the Disease
Are fever blisters contagious? Also known as cold sores, fever blisters are actually one of the most contagious diseases there is; it can spread like wildfire and can appear in different parts of the body. Moreover, the virus that causes it tends to remain dormant in the body. As soon as your immune system is very low, expect the symptoms to eventually show up.
When Are Fever Blisters Contagious?
Before we get to answer this question, know first about fever blisters. Cold sores are caused by a certain type of herpes virus called type 1 herpes simplex. This is the one that gets into the membranes of the mouth, throat, and lips.
Some people who have cold sores do not develop symptoms, though this is very rare. More than 90 percent of the time, the cold sores will create blisters and slight fever, hence the name.
The period in which the fever blisters become communicable is during the beginning of the appearance of the blisters. They can appear between 3 and 5 days after the viral infection or activation.
How Long Is a Fever Blister Contagious?
The contagious sores tend to last for two weeks. Around this time, the sores will start to collapse and turn into crust. They are on the process of healing. However, that does not mean that you are not vulnerable to have the disease. The duration of the possibility for contagion is also within two weeks.
How Do You Prevent the Contagious Disease?
If there is a sad thing about cold sores, it is the fact that the herpes virus that causes it does not go away anymore. It will stay in the cheekbones, just waiting for the perfect time to be reactivated.
Nevertheless, there are steps that you can do to minimize the spread of the illness or prevent it from getting worse. One of the first things is to stop kissing. The virus, after all, can be transmitted from one person to another through fluids.
Children should avoid kissing their parents even on the cheeks. They should also not rub anything the areas that have been infected by cold sores. It is also ideal if you can keep items of the infected persons separate from the others to avoid contamination. If the use is highly important, the item should be properly disinfected or exposed to heat to kill off the virus.
This also means that adults should refrain having sexual contact with someone while the blisters are still very apparent, or they are feeling the symptoms.
Usually, you would know that you may develop fever blisters if you develop itchiness in certain parts of the face, primarily in the places where the virus can linger.
It is also important that you boost your immunity. Eating the right kinds of food will definitely be a huge help. Do not forget to take your vitamin and mineral supplements as often as you can.
Are fever blisters contagious? Yes, but you can definitely do something about it.