Are cold sores related to herpes?

Wots it Luk like? How you get it? Is coldsores related to herpes?

hope this helps:

http://www.herpes.com/

I think so cause I did this health class and they were all yea so I guess

Yes and no. Yes, cold sores are caused by the same virus, but no, they aren't an STD so you catch them the way you catch any other bug (contact like a kiss, or using the same towel to dry your face etc). So people who get coldsores aren't necessarily sexually active. Most people are apparantly exposed to the virus at some time in childhood, and some are naturally immune to it.

Coldsores start with a tingling sensation around your mouth (or I believe you can get them in eyes and nose too, although that's less common and much nastier). If you treat the 'tingle' with cream from the pharmacist you can get rid of them sometimes, or at least make them more minor. They look a bit like a mouth ulcer, but on the outside of your lip or mouth. They can become a bit crusted with 'gunk' and may keep growing if you don't treat them or are very run down.

Because a coldsore is the same virus you can pass it on as herpes if you do certain sexual practices while you have one. That's serious, and people really should remember it. Also be very careful to keep towels to yourself and separate your face towels from your bath towels, for the same reasons.