Common Virus Can Spread Without Symptoms
January 17, 2008

by Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

INTELIHEALTH - Most people can spread the virus that causes cold sores even if they have no cold sores, a study says.

The herpes simplex virus, or HSV, causes cold sores. The virus is very common. Most people become infected with it before the age of 5.

Once a person is infected, the virus doesn't go away. It usually doesn't cause problems, but some people get cold sores a few times a year. The sores are also called fever blisters.

People with cold sores are encouraged to avoid going to the dentist, sharing drinking glasses, kissing and other direct contact that could spread HSV.

In a new study, Kentucky researchers found that 70% of people with HSV could transmit it to other people at least once a month. This occurred even if they didn't have cold sores. Many people had HSV in their mouths so often that they could transmit the virus more than once a week.

The researchers also found HSV in the mouths of people who did not have the virus in their blood.

The study shows that people can pass the virus on to others, including dentists and dental hygienists, even when they don't have symptoms.

The study appears in the January issue of the journal Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontics.