Are Cold Sores Really Herpes? Here's the Truth...

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Herpes is a very common viral infection where there’s much confusion, because not only are there different types of herpes, but oral herpes is also frequently confused with canker sores (also referred to as cold sores), which is an entirely different condition.

Herpes can be broken down into two primary infections: herpes simplex (generally categorized as either oral herpes or genital herpes) and herpes zoster.

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is typically a reactivated infection of the chickenpox virus. If you get the chickenpox, the virus may remain latent in your autonomic ganglia, and then later on in life it can get reactivated by some type of stressor. Shingles is a very painful skin condition typically found in people in their 60s or older.

In this video, I explain the difference between canker sores and oral herpes blisters, and give recommendations on natural approaches that can treat oral and other herpes virus infections safely and effectively.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Herpes is a very common viral infection where there’s much confusion, because not only are there different types of herpes, but oral herpes is also frequently confused with canker sores (also referred to as cold sores), which is an entirely different condition. First of all, herpes can be broken down into two primary infections:

The most common condition, which I will discuss here, is oral herpes, which is commonly mistaken for canker or cold sores. However, it’s important to understand that there’s a distinct and clear difference between these two conditions, or else you run the risk of selecting the wrong treatment method.

What’s the Difference Between Cold Sores and Oral Herpes?

Canker/Cold sores – Canker sores, aphthous stomatitis, also known as cold sores, are painful ulcerations that typically occur inside your mouth, inside your cheek, or sometimes even on your tongue. They are due to an autoimmune problem – typically a reaction to chocolate, citrus, or wheat. It’s important to realize that canker sores will NOT respond to any type of herpes intervention, as it is not a viral infection but an autoimmune condition.If you try to use anti-herpes approaches for canker sores, they simply will not work.

Oral herpesblisters -- Herpes lesions are quite different from canker sores, although they too can be very painful. They are typically presented as small, red blisters on your lips.

What Is Herpes Zoster?

Herpes zoster, the second type of herpes infection is also called shingles. It is typically a reactivation infection of the chickenpox virus. If you get the chickenpox, the virus may remain latent in your autonomic ganglia.

Then later on in life the virus can get reactivated by some type of stressor, resulting in shingles, which is a very painful skin condition that most will seek medical treatment for. It can become reactivated at any age, but it’s typically people in their 60s or older who get shingles.

There are a number of approaches you can use for shingles. Typical antiviral types of drugs are normally used, and are sometimes effective. My experience with them, however, has not been favorable. And of course, I am opposed to routinely using drugs for conditions where safe and effective alternatives are available. Fortunately, there are a number of natural therapies you can use for herpes infections.

In addition to these remedies, which all tend to work, in my experience, the two approaches that work the very best are a homeopathic formulation and the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). You can generally find homeopathics especially formulated for either herpes simplex or herpes zoster. I’ve found them to be surprisingly effective. They’re also non-toxic so they’re very safe, with virtually no side effects.

The Emotional Freedom Technique is a form of psychological acupuncture without needles. By tapping on different acupuncture meridians, you can energetically resolve the emotional precedent that caused your immune system to weaken, allowing the infection to take hold. Once you get at the emotional root, your immune system tends to get reactivated, along with a number of genes that can help to resolve and heal your physical condition.

The Newest Herpes Treatment Under the Sun

Last but not least, there’s yet another new intervention that I have yet to try personally. However, the evidence suggests it would work effectively and support its use, and that is high-dose vitamin D. There have been a large number of successes with people using up to 50,000 units once a day for three days. It would be particularly effective if you have not been taking vitamin D regularly and have not had frequent exposure to the sun. If you’ve had your vitamin D levels tested and are within the therapeutic level, then clearly you don’t want to use this approach as you may overdose on vitamin D. However, more than likely, if you have normal vitamin D levels, you wouldn’t have gotten the infection in the first place. We know vitamin D works for flu, coughs and colds, and appears to work for most all the typical types of viral infections – even infections like herpes.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.