Disable ads (and more) with a premium pass for a one time $4.99 payment
Herpes simplex is commonly known by various terms, with "cold sores" being one of the most recognized. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that typically appear on or around the lips and are associated with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). They can be triggered by factors such as stress, illness, or sun exposure.
In contrast, fever blisters is another term that can refer to the same lesions caused by herpes simplex; however, "cold sores" is the more specific and widely used term. Shingles and chickenpox are conditions caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is different from the herpes simplex virus. Therefore, while fever blisters may be synonymous, cold sores specifically highlight the manifestation of the herpes simplex virus, making it the preferred term.