Cold sores and shingles

Cold sores and shingles are caused by viruses in the herpes family. Cold sores come from herpes simplex virus, which stays in the body and can flare up from time to time. Shingles comes from the same virus that causes chickenpox, which can wake up years later.

Antiviral medicine works best when started early, so contact us as soon as symptoms begin.

Signs and symptoms

• Cold sores: tingling or burning, then small blisters on or around the lips that crust and heal in about 1 to 2 weeks
• Shingles: pain, burning or tingling on one side of the body, followed by a band or patch of blisters

Seek urgent same-day medical care for a shingles rash on the face or near an eye, eye pain or vision changes.

How we treat it

• Antiviral pills to shorten outbreaks
• Daily suppressive antiviral medicine for selected people with frequent herpes simplex outbreaks
• Pain relief and skin care while blisters heal
• Advice on the shingles vaccine, which is recommended for adults 50 and older and some immunocompromised adults age 19 and older

Where it is offered

Cold sores and shingles Q&A

Related care

• Lip and mouth conditions
• Genital skin conditions
• Rashes