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.

Flu season has arrived earlier than expected in the U.K., with cases starting to rise in October, over a month before epidemiologists typically anticipate the season to begin. Fueling this surge is a new flu variant, which, while flu viruses constantly evolve, has accumulated an unusually high number of mutations in a short span.

“This strain has changed faster than usual, showing more mutations than we typically observe,” explains Jamie Lopez Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

What Is Subclade K?

These mutations make the virus slightly different from the components included in this year’s updated flu vaccines. At the end of October, Canadian scientists highlighted that the changes needed close monitoring, including regular sequencing of the virus and evaluation of whether current vaccines remain effective.

On November 12, Lopez Bernal and the UKHSA team shared early findings suggesting that, so far, vaccination continues to offer significant protection against hospitalization and severe illness.

Still, the level of protection resembles what is usually seen late in the flu season, when the vaccine’s effectiveness naturally decreases and the mismatch between the virus and the vaccine rises.

Subclade K Symptoms

The subclade K (H3N2) flu variant causes the same classic flu symptoms, though some doctors have observed that it may lead to more severe illness in some cases. There are no symptoms unique to subclade K; the main concern is its rapid spread and ability to bypass some immunity, according to the NHS.

Typical flu symptoms associated with subclade K include:

• Sudden high fever and chills
• Fatigue and overall weakness
• Headache
• Muscle aches and pains
• Dry, chesty cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or blocked nose
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Diarrhea or vomiting (more common in children)

Is Subclade K In The U.S.?

During the U.S. government shutdown, the flu-tracking site run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not been updated. As of Nov. 13, the most recent data is from late September, when flu activity was low.

However, the New York State Department of Health reported that for the week ending Nov. 1, laboratory-confirmed flu cases had risen by 49% from the previous week, and hospitalizations were up 71%, matching roughly the levels from the same time last year. These figures don’t include subtyping, so it’s unclear whether the subclade K variant has reached the U.S. yet.

Subclade K Flu: How To Stay Safe

Vaccination remains the best defense against the flu. Influenza claims thousands of lives annually and poses a particular threat to children and older adults.

“Children are at higher risk of serious illness from flu, so it’s crucial they get vaccinated. This also protects their relatives, especially vulnerable or elderly family members who may be exposed,” advises Lopez Bernal of the UK Health Security Agency. Even with the mutations seen in this new variant, the vaccine remains a key tool in protecting against severe disease.

Carol Saffran began taking Ozempic a year ago to manage her blood sugar after other treatments hadn’t worked. She was prediabetic, meaning her blood sugar was higher than normal, and her doctor prescribed Ozempic to help prevent diabetes. She has since reached near her ideal weight and has a checkup scheduled soon to monitor her blood sugar, but after increasing to the highest dose, she noticed something unexpected.

“I would brush my hair and notice more hair than usual on the brush,” said Saffran, 71, from the greater Boston area, as per CNN. “It’s not falling out in clumps, but it’s definitely thinner. My hair isn’t as full as it used to be.”

Dr. Farah Moustafa, a hair loss specialist and director of laser and cosmetic treatments at Tufts Medical Center, diagnosed her with telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss caused by stress on the body. In Saffran’s case, the stress was the significant weight loss she experienced while on Ozempic.

Carol Saffran said her hair isn’t as full as it was before taking a GLP-1 drug. Courtesy Carol Saffran

What is Telogen Effluvium?

Hair grows in four phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (resting), and exogen (shedding). Normally, anagen lasts the longest, as per Cleveland Clinic.

Telogen effluvium pushes an unusually high number of hair follicles into the telogen phase, causing more shedding than usual. Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, explained that telogen effluvium often appears after periods of stress such as childbirth, anesthesia, or rapid dieting.

“Any time people lose a significant amount of weight quickly, it can trigger telogen effluvium, where more hair follicles enter the shedding phase prematurely,” said Dr. Aron Nusbaum, a dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon at the Miami Hair Institute.

He added that this type of hair loss can appear three to six months after a triggering event, whether it’s physical stress, emotional stress, hormonal changes, major weight loss, or a new medication.

When the body is stressed, it prioritizes essential functions over nonessential ones, like hair growth. “Hair is a nonessential appendage,” Rossi said. Experts agree that the major cause of hair loss among GLP-1 users appears to be the significant weight loss rather than the medication itself.

Malnutrition May Play a Role

Dr. Brian Wojeck, an obesity medicine specialist at Yale School of Medicine, compared it to what happens after bariatric surgery, where rapid metabolic changes can trigger temporary hair shedding. He also suspects that sudden changes in nutrition or vitamin levels might contribute. Some people consider taking multivitamins while on GLP-1 medications, though “there isn’t strong evidence that multivitamins prevent hair loss,” he said.

Rossi noted that some patients become relatively malnourished on GLP-1s because the drugs suppress appetite. “If you aren’t getting enough micronutrients, your body won’t prioritize hair growth,” he said. “It’s a mix of metabolic stress and relative protein or nutrient deficiency.”

For healthy hair, people need about 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, plus sufficient levels of ferritin, zinc, and vitamins B, D, and B-12, Rossi said.

Manufacturer Guidance

A Novo Nordisk spokesperson confirmed hair loss is listed as a possible side effect of semaglutide. Clinical trials of Wegovy reported hair loss in 2.5% of participants versus 1% of placebo, with higher risk for those losing 20% or more of body weight. Alopecia is noted in post-marketing materials for Ozempic and Rybelsus.

Eli Lilly confirmed hair loss has been observed with weight loss interventions. It is listed for Zepbound but not Mounjaro, which is approved for diabetes management rather than weight loss. Zepbound trials showed higher hair loss rates in women (7.1%) than men (0.5%).

Treatments for Hair Loss

Telogen effluvium from GLP-1 use is usually temporary, but medical evaluation is advised. Chronic telogen effluvium, where shedding lasts more than six months, can occur, Rossi said.

Moustafa explained that once the stressor is removed, hair should fully recover. Medications like oral minoxidil can help speed regrowth, especially for patients who must continue a medication like Ozempic. Saffran plans to lower her dose and start minoxidil while continuing treatment. Nusbaum emphasized proper diagnosis is essential. Ruling out other causes through lab tests for vitamin, mineral, and hormonal levels allows for faster recovery.

For Saffran, Moustafa confirmed she had thick hair initially, with no signs of age-related pattern loss, indicating pure telogen effluvium. She advises GLP-1 users to monitor their hair shedding, track weight loss, and advocate for referrals to specialists to manage the condition.

Pancreatic cancer is widely known as a "silent killer" because it doesn't usually cause pain or noticeable issues until it is very advanced and hard to treat. This is why doctors and researchers are always searching for earlier signs. Fortunately, new research has uncovered a possible warning sign that could help find the disease much sooner. Detecting this cancer early, when it is small and hasn't spread, gives patients the best chance for a successful recovery.

Why Is Pancreatic Cancer Difficult To Diagnose?

The statistics for pancreatic cancer show just how deadly it is. Even though it makes up a small percentage of all cancer cases (around 3%), it is responsible for a large number of cancer deaths (about 8%).

This high death rate happens because the cancer is often only found after it has already spread to other organs in the body. When cancer is found late, the chance of survival is very low—only about 3% to 16% of people live for five years or more. Because of these low survival rates, finding a dependable way to spot this cancer early is absolutely essential to saving more lives.

Early Sign of Pancreatic Cancer

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered a promising sign that might point to early cancer: the pancreatic duct is enlarged. The pancreatic duct is basically a tube that carries the digestive juices out of the pancreas.

In their study, published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances, the research team found that if this duct is swollen or enlarged, it suggests a much higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This sign is particularly important for people who already have a high chance of getting the disease due to family history or genetics.

The researchers studied 641 people who were already considered to be at a high risk for pancreatic cancer, either because close family members (like parents or siblings) had it, or because they had specific genes that increase the danger.

Key Discovery: They found that 97 of these high-risk patients had this enlarged pancreatic duct.

Increased Odds: When they tracked these patients, they found that those with the duct enlargement were 2.6 times more likely to eventually get pancreatic cancer compared to the people without the enlargement. The danger was even greater if they had the enlarged duct and three or more fluid-filled sacs, called cysts, on their pancreas.

Will This Increase Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate?

This discovery gives doctors a clear signal to take action. If a doctor sees an enlarged pancreatic duct on a medical scan—even if the scan was initially ordered for a different issue, like checking for kidney stones or general belly pain—they should immediately treat it as a warning sign.

Next Steps

The action taken would be to either perform very frequent and detailed imaging (scans) to watch the area closely, or in some cases, do surgery to remove the tissue concerned.

Can This Improve Chances Of Diagnosis?

Dr. Canto pointed out that sometimes, the swelling in the duct is visible even before the cancerous mass itself is big enough to be clearly seen on a scan. This means doctors have a valuable new chance to step in earlier than ever before.

The research is not stopping here; the team’s next big project is to teach Artificial Intelligence (AI) how to look at pancreas scans. The goal is for the AI to analyze the images and make even more specific and accurate predictions about a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer.