Amazingly tough is the virus that causes cold sores and fever blisters. This virus has survived when many other ancient diseases have disappeared. Today, the Center for Disease Control tells us that about 89% of the people on Earth are infected with this virus.

Cold sores and fever blisters are produced by the herpes simplex virus - both type 1 or type 2 strains. Many viruses come and go but the herpes virus is with you for life. It is a very tough virus, having survived nearly unchanged for over 2150 years.

The good news - although with you a lifetime, the cold sore virus is normally asleep. It hides in your nerve cells near the initial infection. 35 people out of a 100 that carry the herpes virus will not get one outbreak in a lifetime. The other 65 of us will get a cold sore at least once every 8.4 months.

Cold sores and fever blisters are highly contagious. Not only must you be careful not to infect someone else, but you should be extra cautious not to re-infect another spot on your own body. Wherever the virus can get through the skin, it will form a new cold sore colony there.

Perhaps you have seen a person with a cold sore covering most of the lip. This is not one cold sore but multiple sores caused by careless treatment of the first one. A cold sore on the lip will heal without a trace. Not so if you get the virus in your eye. Then you will quite likely incur permanent scarring of the cornea.

Responsible care of your cold sore is very simple and will greatly reduce the chance of creating new sores on yourself or your family. Never touch the sore with your bare fingers, no matter how much it itches. A cold sore is most contagious from the initial tingling until totally healed.

Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide are excellent ways to keep the cold sore area (and your fingers) sterile. Keep cotton balls, swabs, or tissues handy for this purpose. Use throw-away paper towels, like the cloth-like Viva, instead of cotton facial or hand towels.

The very best solution is to prevent cold sores and fever blisters before they break out. Then you do not have to deal with all the symptoms and worries of spreading it. Actually, prevention is very possible - or at least reducing the frequency.

First and foremost, if you are prone to getting cold sores, it would be wise to take a good quality vitamin supplement on a daily basis. This not only reduces the effects of cold sore causing stress, but greatly enhances your immune system.

Lysine is very popular as a natural treatment for cold sores and fever blisters. It does work quite well as an oral cold sore remedy but not too hot as a topical treatment. The common dosage for healing a cold sore is 2000 to 4000 milligrams divided throughout the day. Some recommend a maintenance dosage of 500 milligrams per day to prevent cold sores.

Keep in mind that the cause of all cold sores and fever blisters is the extremely contagious virus called herpes simplex. Please use every caution to prevent further spreading to loved ones and to other parts of your body - especially your eyes.

And finally, using alcohol soaked swabs or tissues will help sterilize the cold sore and reduce the risk of passing it on. Keeping the immune system strong by taking a good nutritional supplement may be, like others have found, all you need to prevent future cold sores and fever blisters.