The devastating cold sores herpes virus refers to either of two herpes simplex viruses. Type 1 causes most cold sores. The type 2 herpes simplex causes similar cold sores, but only in about 20% of the cases.

The cold sores herpes virus is a sub-microscopic living particle - tiny enough to hide inside your nerve cells. Scientists recently discovered that, when hibernating, the cold sore virus can shut down nearly all function becoming nearly invisible.

This virus is basically invisible to our own body defenses as well as any medicines so far devised. This is one big reason medical science has not yet found any way to remove the cold sore virus from your body.

Living in your nerve system, the cold sores herpes virus has an early warning system. When it senses a drop in your body defenses, it will start to move to the surface along the nerve fiber it calls home. It is this travel that you will sense a burning or itching sensation in the cold sore area.

The only reason the cold sores herpes virus becomes active is to replicate. It cannot reproduce itself, like bacteria. Once the virus gets to the surface, it enters a nerve cell and forces the cell to become a virus factory - creating clones.

When the cell cannot create any more virus, the controlling virus then destroys the cell, releasing all the new clones. All these destroyed cells, close together, causes the cold sore ulcer that you see. Your defense system, in an effort to cleanse the area, creates a clear fluid to carry these new virus away.

This is the most contagious time for cold sores as this fluid is just teaming with new virus looking for a home. Continuously cleanse the sore with alcohol or similar and keep from touching with your bare fingers. New cold sores can be created elsewhere on your body very easily with this fluid.

Yes - the cold sores herpes virus is quite destructive. It is very fortunate that the damage it creates is always on the surface. If it were internal, and could be spread internally, it could be life threatening.

Stress has been directly linked to cold sores - and this is why.

Stress can cause a change in your health by affecting your immune system, hormones and acid/alkaline balance. If you are getting frequent cold sores, you are at high risk for other diseases. Quite likely, improving your nutritional intake alone could be all you need to do to prevent these cold sores.

A good daily vitamin supplement can greatly reduce the negative effects of stress and help eliminate cold sore occurrence. Also, organic fruits and vegetables can have a huge impact on your health and cold sore resistance. Increasing lysine intake by food or supplement can, by itself, dramatically reduce your cold sore events.

There are about as many ways to treat cold sores as there are people that have cold sores. We certainly do not have room here to cover them, however I would like to give you one simple trick that has provided great relief for the people I work with.

One of the easiest ways to discourage the cold sores herpes virus is applying ice prior to the actual outbreak. This disrupts the replication process, often stalling or preventing the cold sore. Once the cold sore breaks out, however, then the application of warmth will help speed healing.

The best course is to avoid getting this virus. If you are already infected and suffer from outbreaks, you will be happy to learn that you do not have to any longer. With a little research you will find there are many proven ways to easily defeat the cold sores herpes virus.

Tags: personal Development, success, stress management