Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are cold sores?

A: Cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters or Herpes simplex, are groups of small blisters usually occurring outside of the mouth, around the lips, nose, and chin. In some cases, cold sores can be highly contagious. When a person is infected with primary herpes, the virus remains in the body and can cause cold sore outbreaks periodically. Illness, sunburns, stress, and skin irritation can increase the chance of a cold sore outbreak.