People who are infected with herpes simplex virus tend to be able to feel a cold sore coming on. Symptoms like tingling, soreness, and redness serve as warning signs and are a good indicator to begin treatment. Although a cold sore will heal eventually on its own, antiviral medications taken by mouth as well as topical creams may shorten the outbreak. Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix or cure for the cold sore virus.
Once a person has been infected with the herpes simplex virus, the virus will always remain in the body, no matter if the person ever has an outbreak. There are tips to minimize the frequency of fever blister outbreaks in those patients who are symptomatic.