When a five year old has cold sores on a regular basis is it also hsv-1 or just infection from a cold? How can a child so young have it, if it is hsv-1?


Cold sores are recurrent blistering spots that appear around the mouth and nose and are common in children. Most parents are surprised to learn that cold sores due to the herpes simplex virus (HSV). You must remember that this strain of the virus in young children suffering from cold sores is not the same kind of infection of genital herpes an adult may suffer from. Oral herpes appears as a result of infection of HSV-1 and genital herpes is a manifestation of HSV-2 virus. However, both these viruses can occur in other parts of your body.

Cold sores are usually treated as a common childhood infection. When a child first gets cold sores, the blisters are usually located all over the child's mouth, and the condition is known as as gingivostomatitis. This might be a term that some parents are familiar with. A child may develop cold sores in the mouth and the throat and other symptoms of the infection may include fever and body ache.

You can prevent your child from getting recurrent cold sores mainly by preventing HSV-1 from getting reactivated. This can occur if your child develops a skin irritation or has a fever. You may not be able prevent a fever, but help your child avoid chapped lips and protect him from sunburn. This might help prevent recurrent cold sores. Other home remedies like applying a tea bag on the affected areas and ensuring that the sores as well lubricated will help soothe your child's discomfort. Ensure that your child washes his hands immediately after touching the sores because this will prevent the virus from spreading to other people. Your child must also be on a healthy and balanced diet and get plenty of sleep each night.

answered by G M

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