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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).
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.
Cold sores are highly contagious and can spread easily. The virus can be passed on through:
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:
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the herpes virus, but the symptoms can be managed.
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.
Cold sores go through distinct stages as they develop and heal:
Certain factors can trigger the reactivation of HSV, leading to cold sores. These include:
There’s no cure for cold sores, but several treatments can ease the symptoms and help manage outbreaks.
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.
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.
There are also some home remedies that may provide relief, such as:
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.
To avoid spreading cold sores:
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.
Credit: AI generated image
Even as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) got rebranded as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), it signals a major shift in how doctors understand and treat one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women, said health experts today.
Speaking to HealthandMe, the experts noted that from the earlier narrowed focus on ovarian cysts, the transition toward PMOS will better capture the condition’s complex metabolic and endocrine nature.
Dr. Isha Kriplani, Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynecology at Paras Health, said the renaming marks “the beginning of a new era in women's gynecological health.”
Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of Women
The new name aims to explain the condition more accurately and comprehensively.
Polyendocrine means it affects multiple hormones in the body.
Metabolic refers to issues linked to weight, insulin, blood sugar, and heart health.
Ovarian highlights its impact on ovulation and reproductive health.
Syndrome refers to a group of symptoms occurring together.
In simple terms, PMOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect periods, fertility, skin, mood, weight, and long-term health.
Dr. Isha stated that the term PMOS acknowledges that the disorder is not solely linked to hormonal imbalance or ovarian dysfunction, but also deeply connected to metabolic health. She explained that many women experience symptoms such as weight gain, skin issues, fatigue, insulin resistance, and hormonal disturbances without necessarily showing ovarian cysts on ultrasonography.
“Rebranding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) into Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is the beginning of a new era in women's gynecological health. This is because renaming helps us understand that the complex interplay of this disease is not only about imbalanced hormones but also metabolism,” she told HealthandMe.
Dr. Isha added that the shift could help broaden diagnosis and encourage early intervention to prevent long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. She noted that the new terminology also provides women with a more accurate understanding of the syndrome and encourages treatment strategies focused on addressing the root metabolic causes.
Dr. Raina Chawla, Associate Director – Gynecology at Sarvodaya Hospital, told HealthandMe the transition from PCOS to PMOS corrects what she described as one of medicine’s “most persistent misnomers.”
She explained that for years, the term PCOS led many patients to believe the condition was purely ovarian in nature, often resulting in confusion and delays in diagnosis. According to Dr. Raina, the so-called “cysts” seen in PCOS are actually immature follicles that develop as a consequence of the disorder rather than being its primary cause.
Also read: PCOD vs PCOS vs PMOS: Why The Condition’s Name Has Changed Over Time
“The shift from PCOS to Reproductive Metabolic Syndrome (PMOS) is an important move toward correcting one of medicine’s most persistent misnomers,” Dr. Raina said.
She further emphasized that the newer terminology places appropriate attention on insulin resistance and androgen excess, helping doctors and patients approach the disorder as a systemic endocrine and metabolic condition rather than a localized ovarian issue.
Experts believe the change in terminology could also reduce stigma and improve awareness about the wide-ranging symptoms associated with the syndrome, while encouraging a more holistic treatment approach that includes lifestyle modifications, metabolic screening, and long-term preventive care.
Credit: AI generated image
While there have been meaningful improvements in global health over the past decade, in larger terms, the global health progress continues to be ‘fragile and insufficient’, warned the World Health Organization (WHO) in its new report.
The World Health Statistics 2026 report calls for stronger systems to protect progress.
WHO highlighted several major improvements between 2010 and 2024, including:
Despite progress, several global health challenges continue to worsen. These include:
“These data tell a story of both progress and persistent inequality, with many people – especially women, children and those in underserved communities – still denied the basic conditions for a healthy life,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Investing in stronger, more equitable health systems, including resilient health data systems is essential to target action, close gaps and ensure accountability,” he added.
Also read: Another Norovirus Outbreak Confirmed Aboard Cruise Ship In France; Over 1,700 People Trapped
The report stressed the urgent need to strengthen universal health coverage (UHC), noting that 1.6 billion people were pushed into poverty due to out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in 2022.
Vaccination coverage also remains below target, contributing to recent measles outbreaks in countries including the US and Bangladesh.
Although maternal mortality has fallen by 40 per cent since 2000, it still remains nearly three times above the 2030 target. Progress in reducing premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases has also slowed since 2015.
Air pollution caused an estimated 6.6 million deaths globally in 2021, while poor water, sanitation, and hygiene contributed to 1.4 million deaths in 2019.
“These trends reflect too many deaths that could have been avoided,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data.
“With rising environmental risks, health emergencies, and a worsening health financing crisis, we must act urgently – strengthening primary health care, investing in prevention, and securing sustainable financing to build resilient health systems and get back on track.”
The WHO report also flagged major gaps in global health data collection.
By the end of 2025, only 18 per cent of countries were reporting mortality data to WHO within one year, while nearly one-third had never submitted cause-of-death data.
Of the estimated 61 million deaths globally in 2023, only about one-third included cause-of-death information, and just one-fifth had properly coded International Classification of Diseases (ICD) data.
"While global health efforts are delivering results, progress is fragile and insufficient," stated the report, while stressing the need for accelerated action, stronger health systems, and improved data to renew progress toward the 2030 health goals.
Credit: AI generated image
When the name misleads, the disease remains misunderstood. Hence, endocrinologists now propose renaming PCOS as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome or PMOS.
This is because the term “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome” is considered a misnomer. The name makes it sound like the condition is only related to the ovaries. However, over 30% of such patients have normal ovaries. The root lies in the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, pancreas, and adipose tissue — truly polyendocrine.
The cysts in the name are actually antral follicles. The real burden is insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, NAFLD, and a 2-fold higher cardiovascular risk by age 50.
Not just reproductive: PCOS is India’s commonest endocrine disorder — 1 in 5 young women. It drives diabetes, hypertension, depression, and infertility.
PMOS, the acronym, expands as:
P — Polyendocrine: HPO axis + adrenal + insulin + leptin dysfunction
M — Metabolic: Insulin Resistance, obesity, fatty liver, CVD risk
O — Ovarian: Anovulation, hyperandrogenic ovarian dysfunction remains key
S — Syndrome: Heterogeneous, lifelong
This aligns with the 2023 International PCOS Guideline that defines it as a “metabolic + reproductive + psychological disorder”. Yet patients are still told, “You just have cysts.” PMOS reminds every physician to check OGTT, lipids, BP, and mental health at age 18, not 45.
The bottom line is that by changing the name, it is possible to change the game. When a 16-year-old hears “Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome”, she understands it’s not vanity or infertility alone.
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