COLD SORE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cold sore mean? 

• COLD SORE (noun)
  The noun COLD SORE has 1 sense:

1. caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)

  Familiarity information: COLD SORE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COLD SORE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

cold sore; fever blister; herpes labialis; oral herpes

Hypernyms ("cold sore" is a kind of...):

herpes simplex (an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus; affects the skin and nervous system; produces small temporary (but sometimes painful) blisters on the skin and mucous membranes)

 Context examples 

Oral herpes causes cold sores around the mouth or face.

(Herpes Simplex, NIH)

A question about whether an individual has a history of cold sores.

(Have Had Cold Sores, NCI Thesaurus)

Infections with type 1 viruses cause cold sores on the lips or nostrils.

(Herpes simplex virus, NCI Dictionary)

Some are available over-the-counter (without a doctor’s order) and may help lessen local pain, irritation, and itching caused by conditions such as cold sores, sunburn, poison ivy, and minor cuts.

(Local anesthesia, NCI Dictionary)

The Type 1 virus causes cold sores.

(Human Herpesvirus 1, NCI Thesaurus)

There is no cure for cold sores.

(Cold Sores, NIH)

They are not the same as cold sores, which are caused by herpes simplex.

(Canker Sores, NIH)

It is used in the treatment of yeast infections and cold sores.

(Boric Acid, NCI Thesaurus)

There is no cure for infection with HSV-1 and HSV2, viruses that can cause recurrent outbreaks of cold sores and genital sores in humans.

(Glutamine suppresses herpes in mice and guinea pigs, National Institutes of Health)

There are two types of HSV: • HSV type 1 most commonly causes cold sores. • HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth.

(Herpes Simplex, NIH)