Cold sores and genital herpes are both caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV).  Cold sores are also known as oral herpes or herpes labialis.  It manifests as lesions usually on the border of the lip and border of the nostrils.  The lesions begin as a tingling and itching feeling, and progress to red and inflamed sores and sometimes fluid-filled blisters or open sores.

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       Genital herpes is also known by its technical name of herpes genitalis. 

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       Cold sores or oral herpes are usually caused by herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and genital herpes by HSV-2, but both viral types can cause outbreaks in either location.

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       HSV infection is permanent and none of the treatments listed here are cures or eradicated the virus from your body.  Once infected, the HSV virus resides in nerve cells.  It becomes activated and emerges under stress and causes outbreaks. 

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         If it is any comfort, you have company.  Greater than 50% of the population is infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 and 15% of the population has at least one cold sore outbreak each year.  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12% of the age 14 to 49 population is infected with HSV-2.