answersLogoWhite

0

Cold sores are a viral illness. They are caused by herpes simplex virus.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Is a cold sore a viral disease?

Yes it is viral.


Why don't polymyxin work on cold sores?

Although there is no medication to remove the cold sore, the polymyxin is an antibiotic which will not work on a viral infection. To help the cold sore, an anti viral medication is needed.


What causes Burning itchy lips?

You may be starting to get a "cold sore" these are caused by a viral infection.


Can anti biotics help a baby's cold?

No, antibiotics are only effective against BACTERIAL infections and a cold is a VIRAL infection.


Are bacterial diseases treated differently by doctors than viral diseases?

Yes. Bacterial diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Viral diseases have to run their course. Many viral diseases have vaccines available, such as flu, measles, mumps, chicken pox and so on. If your cold or flu turns into pneumonia, then that can be treated since it is bacterial.


Does azithromycin help with a severe cold or flu?

No. Antibiotics do not help viral infections such as the cold or flu. Antibiotics are specifically for helping with treatment of bacterial infections or for preventing bacterial infections and do nothing to an inanimate virus.


Why is there pain with a sore throat?

If there is a viral or bacterial infection of the throat, the infection causes damage on a cellular level, which triggers a reaction in pain-sensing nerves.


Why antibiotics wont help a viral sore throat or a common cold?

Antibiotics kill bacteria. They do not kill viruses.


Is MRSA viral or bacterial?

MRSA is a form of staph. Staph is bacterial


Is rabies bacterial or viral?

Rabies is viral.


Why are anti biotics are unhelpful for treating a common cold?

Because antibiotics treat bacterial infections not viral. There are some viral colds like the flu in which antibiotics will work.


Is the avian flu viral or bacterial?

Spanish flu is viral.