Symptoms of Cold Sore: Save Others from Catching It from You!

All cold sore symptoms are caused by the active herpes simplex virus. This virus only becomes active to create new virus on the surface of your face. About 90% of the world population above 10 years of age is a caries this virus.

The virus remains latent and hidden in the nerve cells deep within the nerve fibers most of the time. The physical appearance of a cold sore differs based on the severity and the stage of a cold sore. Following cold sore symptoms appear at various stages in its life cycle:

Symptoms of Cold Sore 1 - The Initial Stage.

During the initial stage the cold sore symptoms may include headache, fever, swollen lymph glands and a sore throat. The cold sore at this stage usually is not very obvious. It is very likely at this stage that cold sore doesn’t occur the first time. If it has to appear then you will feel symptoms such as dryness, burning, tingling and or itching in the area of occurrence. This indicates that the virus is moving to the surface nerve cells.

Symptoms of Cold Sore 2 - Blister Stage.

Within two three days, fluid filled blisters become visible. Soon the site of cold sore swells and very painful small, hard, pimple-like bumps appear. This is followed by fever, headaches, and a general feeling of tiredness. At this stage lymph glands under-jaw begin to swell.

Symptoms of Cold Sore 3 - Weeping Stage.

On the fourth day, the tiny hard bump swells, and ruptures leaving a reddish but shallow ulcer. The surface of the cold sore turns grey. This is probably the most painful stage. Other common symptoms at this juncture are headaches, fever and running nose. The lymph glands under the jaw feel swollen and painful.

Because the cold sore is draining at this stage it is dangerously contagious at this time.

Symptoms of Cold Sore 4 - Crusting Stage.

A couple or more days later the affected area gets dried out and forms a scab with a brownish crust. The scab usually is still itches there may be some burning sensation. The Scabs will begin to break or crack, leading to slight bleeding in some cases. Ultimately the scab will fall off revealing new skin. Though it may all look ok on the surface the healing process continues underneath. The area may remain red and itchy possibly for another couple of weeks. Even at this stage it is still contagious and can re-occur quickly. Headaches and fever goes away by now and even lymph glands should become normal.

Symptoms of Cold Sore 5 - Final Healing Stage.

Within 2 to 3 weeks from appearance of the first symptoms of cold sores, it usually heals, flakes away and disappears. Cold score generally do not leave any marks on the skin.

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