Cold sores are a common and often frustrating skin issue. While they may look like harmless blisters, cold sores are actually caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

What Causes Cold Sores?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which comes in two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2.

HSV-1 is the primary cause of cold sores, usually appearing around the mouth.

HSV-2 generally causes genital herpes but can also lead to cold sores.

While the appearance of cold sores caused by both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can look similar, their locations tend to differ. However, it is possible for HSV-1 to cause sores on the genitals and for HSV-2 to appear on the mouth.

How Do Cold Sores Spread?

Cold sores are highly contagious and can spread easily. The virus can be passed on through:

• Kissing or skin contact
• Sharing food, drinks, or cosmetics (such as lip balm)
• Oral sex, which can spread both cold sores and genital herpes

Even when a cold sore isn’t visible, the virus can still be spread through close contact. This makes prevention and management key to reducing outbreaks and the risk of infecting others.

Once someone contracts HSV, it stays in the body for life. While the virus remains dormant most of the time, it can reactivate and cause new sores, especially during periods of:

• Stress
• Illness
• A weakened immune system

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the herpes virus, but the symptoms can be managed.

Symptoms of Cold Sores

Cold sores don’t just appear out of nowhere. Before the sore is visible, you may notice a tingling or burning sensation around the lips or face, which can occur several days before the sore forms. This is the best time to begin treatment to shorten the outbreak.

When a cold sore does appear, it often looks like a red, raised blister filled with fluid. The blister can be painful to touch, and there may be more than one. Cold sores usually last around two weeks and are contagious until they crust over and heal.

The Five Stages of a Cold Sore

Cold sores go through distinct stages as they develop and heal:

• Tingling and itching: You may feel these symptoms about 24 hours before the blister appears.
• Blisters: Small, fluid-filled blisters form, typically around the mouth.
• Bursting: The blisters burst and form painful sores.
• Scabbing: The sores dry out, scab over, and may itch or crack.
• Healing: The scab falls off, and the cold sore heals.

Risk Factors for Cold Sores

Certain factors can trigger the reactivation of HSV, leading to cold sores. These include:

• Infection, fever, or cold
• Sun exposure
• Stress
• Menstruation
• Dental work or injury
• Weakened immune system due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, eczema, or chemotherapy

Managing and Treating Cold Sores

There’s no cure for cold sores, but several treatments can ease the symptoms and help manage outbreaks.

Topical Ointments and Creams

Over-the-counter antiviral creams like docosanol (Abreva) or prescription ointments like penciclovir (Denavir) can help reduce the duration of an outbreak, especially if applied at the first sign of a cold sore.

Oral Medications

Prescription antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir can also help, particularly for people who have frequent or severe outbreaks. Your doctor may recommend taking these medications regularly to prevent future outbreaks.

Home Remedies

There are also some home remedies that may provide relief, such as:

• Applying ice or a cold washcloth to the sore
• Using aloe vera gel or lemon balm lip balms
• Applying petroleum jelly to ease discomfort

Canker Sores vs. Cold Sores: What's the Difference?

While cold sores and canker sores may seem similar, they are quite different:

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, appear around the mouth, and are contagious.

Canker sores are not contagious and appear as ulcers inside the mouth or throat.

Preventing the Spread of Cold Sores

To avoid spreading cold sores:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid close contact with others during an outbreak
• Don’t share food, drinks, or personal items like lip balm

Cold sores can be a persistent issue, but with proper care and management, you can reduce the frequency of outbreaks and prevent spreading the virus to others.

A newly emerging “untreatable” mystery virus that is being described as stronger than Covid is now spreading across several parts of the world, with experts warning that even common disinfectants may not be effective against it. Known as adenovirus, the infection causes symptoms similar to a severe bout of flu, such as shortness of breath, a runny nose, and a sore throat. What sets it apart, however, is the limited treatment available.

In most cases, people who contract the virus have no option but to manage symptoms and allow the illness to pass on its own. The good news is that adenovirus infections are usually mild. That said, much like Covid or seasonal flu, the risk rises for people with weakened immune systems, who may experience more serious complications, according to a report by The Mirror.

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Jefferson Health’s medical director of infection prevention and control, Eric Sachinwalla, has cautioned that unlike more familiar viral infections, there is very little doctors can do to actively treat adenovirus.

What Is Adenovirus?

Adenoviruses belong to a broad family of common viruses that can affect multiple parts of the body, including the airways and lungs, eyes, digestive system, urinary tract, and even the nervous system. They are a frequent cause of fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhoea, and conjunctivitis. Most infections tend to be mild and clear up on their own within a few days. However, health experts are now noting a rapid rise in cases, with the virus spreading quickly and leaving large numbers of people unwell.

The virus is particularly contagious because it is tougher than many others. Routine cleaning with soap and water or standard disinfectants may not be enough to eliminate it, allowing it to survive longer in the environment. This is why outbreaks are often seen in places such as day-care centres and military barracks, where close contact is common. Adenovirus spreads through respiratory droplets, can be passed through stool, and can linger on contaminated surfaces for extended periods, as per Mirror.

Adenovirus Symptoms

Symptoms of adenovirus infection can vary widely. Common signs include shortness of breath, a runny nose, and a sore throat. Some people may also develop diarrhoea or pink eye. The wide range of symptoms is partly due to the fact that there are more than 60 known strains of the virus.

How Is Adenovirus Different From Covid And Flu?

Adenoviruses, like coronaviruses, spread from person to person and can trigger similar respiratory symptoms. However, they belong to entirely different virus families and behave differently. One key difference is resistance. Coronaviruses are more easily destroyed by disinfectants, while adenoviruses are harder to kill, which allows them to spread more easily than Covid or flu.

For otherwise healthy individuals who feel unwell but do not have severe symptoms such as high fever or breathing difficulty, recovery usually happens at home with basic supportive care. Medical attention is more important for people with weakened immunity, parents of very young infants, or those with existing conditions like heart or lung disease. If symptoms appear, experts advise against walking straight into a clinic. Calling ahead is safer, as doctors may recommend a telehealth consultation if the illness seems highly contagious.

Is Adenovirus Untreatable?

Most adenovirus infections are mild and resolve without medical treatment. However, if symptoms linger or worsen, there is often little doctors can do beyond monitoring and symptom relief, as the virus largely needs to run its course. Following basic hygiene measures, such as washing hands regularly and cleaning frequently touched surfaces, remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of infection.

Though Charlie Sheen’s HIV has been described as “completely manageable,” the actor recently shared that he once came across a treatment he believed worked far better than existing options, but it never reached the public. Speaking on the *Howie Mandel Does Stuff* podcast, the 60-year-old actor reflected on an experimental drug he used years ago and explained why it ultimately disappeared from view. “There was one that was really good that I was hoping would come to market one day, and it never did,” said Sheen, who publicly disclosed his HIV diagnosis in 2015. This has raised a key question: which experimental drug is Charlie Sheen referring to?

What Is HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that attacks the immune system. If left untreated, it can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, which represents the most advanced stage of infection. HIV primarily targets white blood cells, weakening the body’s natural defences. The virus spreads through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles for drug use, exposure to infected blood, and from parent to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

What Does HIV Do To A Person?

HIV infects CD4 cells, also known as helper T cells, which play a central role in immune response. As the virus destroys these cells, the white blood cell count drops, leaving the body vulnerable to infections it would normally fight off with ease.

Early on, HIV can cause flu-like symptoms. After that, it may remain hidden in the body for years without obvious signs, while continuing to damage the immune system. When CD4 levels fall very low, or when certain serious infections develop, HIV is considered to have progressed to AIDS.

At this stage, symptoms may include rapid weight loss, severe fatigue, sores in the mouth or genitals, recurring fevers, night sweats, and changes in skin colour.

Charlie Sheen Claims An Experimental Drug That Works Better For HIV

During the podcast conversation, Sheen named the drug he believes made a major difference. “That was a thing called PRO 140,” he said. He described it as a monoclonal antibody that produced faster and more consistent results, with fewer side effects than standard treatments. When asked why it never became widely available, Sheen suggested it may have posed a threat to existing therapies. “It works, better than what they have,” he said, adding that the company behind it ran into serious trouble. Mandel responded that someone should investigate further, a point Sheen agreed with.

What Is The Experimental Drug Charlie Sheen Is Talking About?

PRO 140 is a humanised monoclonal antibody designed to block CCR5, a receptor HIV commonly uses to enter human cells and replicate. Around 70 percent of people living with HIV in the United States, and as many as 90 percent of newly diagnosed patients, carry CCR5-tropic strains of the virus.

Earlier studies found that a single intravenous dose of PRO 140 sharply reduced HIV levels, while weekly injections under the skin lowered viral load much more effectively than a placebo. Research also suggested that the drug did not interfere with normal immune functions linked to CCR5.

According to Aidsmap, PRO 140 was generally considered safe and well tolerated. Although more than 90 percent of participants in extended studies reported side effects, there were no serious adverse reactions linked directly to the drug, and no one had to stop treatment because of it. The reported side effects were limited to injection-site reactions, which were usually mild to moderate.

Sheen has repeatedly spoken about his experience with the drug, maintaining that it delivered steadier results and caused fewer side effects than conventional HIV treatments.

Weight loss drugs are now common, but so are its side effects, especially when you stop taking it. There are numerous reports of how these popular weight loss jabs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, once stopped, had changed people's cravings, food choices, and some have reported that weight too have come back.

However, Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy tells Metro that it is quite common for people to regain some of the weight once they stop the medication. As of now, 1.5 million people in the UK are using these jabs, and reports say that some may end up heavier than when they started. Why does this happen?

Also Read: Mystery Disease Adenovirus: New Virus Said To Be Stronger Than Covid And Flu — All You Need To Know

Dr Grant says that there are various factors including metabolism to appetite, however, there are also 7 common mistakes that people do once they stop taking their weight loss jabs, which must be avoided.

Abruptly Stopping Weight Loss Jabs

Going cold turkey could increase the weight, warns Dr Grant. Since these medicines work by suppressing the appetite, stopping the medications suddenly could lead to poor eating habits and potential weight gains. The best way? Talk to your GP before making a decision to come off the weight loss drugs. A medical professional could guide you on how to leave the medication, while making amends to your lifestyle habits.

Not Changing Your Lifestyle

A recent study by scientists at the Oxford University, of the 6,000 people who use GLP-1 drugs, most will gain back their weight within the 10 months of stopping the medicine. This happens because once the medicines are stop, people do not replace the treatment with healthy habits. this could lead to weight gain.

Doctors suggest that even 30 minute of daily exercise could make the difference and burn the extra calories.

Discontinuing Early

If you stop taking your GLP-1 medications early, it won't work. Dr Grant points out that this is one of the most common mistakes people make. "These drugs are designed to be used long-term, but not doing so gives the body little time to adapt to the treatment."

Also Read: Flu Cases In US Reach 5 Million Mark, Reveals CDC Data

Sticking To The Same Diet

If you continue eating unhealthy while you are on Ozempic, Mounjaro or Wegovy, then you will regain the weight once you stop. Dr Grant says, "It is important for people to draw up a dietary plan, including structured meal times to avoid overeating. I also recommend a well-balanced diet including a variety of high-protein, fibre-rich and healthy fat food."

Not Monitoring Weight

"While it’s important not to create an unhealthy relationship with weight management, tracking weight closely once ending any treatments can help people adjust their routine to avoid losing progress," says Dr Grant.

Regular monitoring weight can ensure that you can get back on track before you lose too much progress after you stop taking your weight loss drugs.

Emotional Eating

If you have an emotional relationship with your food, then weight gain is possible. This is because emotional eating could lead to hormonal imbalance, stress, poor sleep, and unresolved trauma. While the jab can reduce weight, once stopped, if emotional eating is continued, you can easily gain it back. The best way to deal with this is by addressing the issue, speaking to an expert or a mental health specialist.

Not Eating Protein

Even after you stop your weight loss drugs, it is important that you continue eating enough protein. Protein helps in muscle building. Not eating enough protein, could lead to weight gain, by muscle loss and lower metabolism.