It is critical for you to know these cold sore symptoms in order to cope with them - and is the first step in reducing or eliminating these outbreaks. As you will see, each stage of a cold sore has its identifying cold sore symptoms.

Your first set of cold sore symptoms occur when you are initially infected with the cold sore virus. Commonly, your symptoms will include sore throat, headaches, fever and general poor feeling overall.

Your symptoms at this point will range from quite mild to severe. It is common to feel that you have caught the flu or a cold. They usually begin about 14 days after first infection and lasts about three to four days. Quite often you do not get a cold sore this first time.

FACTOID: Cold sore symptoms only occur by the replication activity of the herpes simplex virus. 89% of the human population carry this virus. For a large part of your life, the herpes virus hides in the cells of your nerve ganglia behind your ear.

You will not have any cold sore symptoms when the herpes virus is inactive. In about 36%, the virus NEVER becomes active. With the rest of us, we will average one cold sore every 9.1 months. It is not uncommon for many folks to get four to six per year. Ouch.

Your first indication of the cold sore symptoms is often barely noticeable. In the cold sore area, you will feel symptoms such as a dryness, tingling, itching or burning. This indicates that you are in the first stage of a cold sore. The virus is moving to the surface nerve cells. Your cold sore will occur in a day or two.

Next you will enter the inflammation stage. Your cold sore symptoms at this point include swelling of the area and the appearance of small, painful, red bumps. These bumps are generally quite painful to the touch. Other common symptoms you will notice are headaches, slight fever, tiredness and beginning of lymph gland swelling.

Now your hard, painful bumps will swell, burst and merge into on open cold sore wound. This is quite painful as the sore is built on the end of your nerves in that area. You will likely get a runny nose, headaches, and increased fever-like conditions.

Your lymph glands under the jaw will also be swollen and painful. Your sore will be weeping a clear fluid teaming with new virus and very contagious to others as well as yourself. It is very possible at this point for you to spread and create another cold sore site on your own body.

After a couple days a yellowish crust will form over your sore. It will still be painful when you touch it. Also, the crust will often crack open when you move your mouth causing more pain. At this point your fever, headaches and swollen glands start to get a little better. You will continue to feel discomfort and itching as the wound heals.

Your scab will last up to a week. When it falls off, you will see new skin. Healing will still be taking place below this skin for one to two more weeks. Your cold sore symptoms now are continued itching and redness in the area. Your headache and fever should be done. Your swollen glands should be nearly back to normal.

During your final healing process, the cold sore could come back again. Keep using your best cold sore treatment during this time. If you are taking a vitamin supplement or lysine, keep doing so. This is the easiest time to get a repeat attach of a cold sore.

Sorry - there is so much more you should know that can prevent cold sores in your life, but I have run out of space right now. Please heed the following caution.

You must be careful not to spread the cold sore virus to someone else or cause a new cold sore site on your own body. Keep in mind that this virus is easily spread and quite contagious during all of these cold sore symptoms.