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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffCold sores are contagious. They can pass from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact. The greatest risk of infection is from the time the blisters appear until they have completely dried and crusted over. There is a possibility of spreading the virus for some time even after the skin has healed.
If you have a cold sore, avoid close contact with infants, anyone who has eczema (atopic dermatitis) or people with a suppressed immune system, such as people with cancer, AIDS or an organ transplant. These people are at higher risk of more severe infection.
Herpes simplex infection of the eye causes scarring of the cornea and is a leading cause of blindness in the United States.
- Herpes simplex. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/viral_herpes_simplex.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
- Klien RS. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
- Klien RS. Treatment and prevention of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Herpes simplex. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177412534-3/0/2088/299.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
- Oral-labial herpes simplex. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00021-3--s0380&uniq=177412534&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=936136390#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00021-3--s0370%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9%3Btype%3DbookPage. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
- Klien RS. Epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 12, 2010.
- Benzocaine topical products: Sprays, gels and liquids — risk of methemoglobinemia. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm250264.htm. Accessed Apr. 8, 2011.
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