Cold Sore Symptoms

<p>While the incidence of cold sores in the population is high, some people mistakenly diagnose canker sores as cold sores, which require completely different treatment. While up to 90 percent of the US population is estimated to be infected with herpes simplex virus, responsible for cold sores, many show only minor symptoms or have no symptoms at all. Typically around 40 percent of those infected suffer one outbreak per year. Cold sore symptoms typically consist of the following stages:

Tingling
During this first stage an outbreak sufferers experience an itching, burning or tingling sensation in the area in which the cold sore later appears.

Blistering
The time before the fluid filled blister appears is variable, but typically 2 to 3 days.

Weeping
When the blisters burst they weep clear fluid and form open lesions. As well as being the most highly contagious stage, this is also when the outbreak is at its most painful.

Scabbing
After 5 to 8 days have passed, the blisters begin to dry and crust over.

Healing
By 10 to 15 days scabs will have disappeared completely.

While these cover the symptoms typical in the majority of sufferers, there are other symptoms that can occur, particularly in the young, including slight fever, a sore throat and swelling of the lymph nodes located in the neck.