How does you body's Immune System and Endocrine System respond to Cold Sores?
Once the herpes virus enters a host it follows down a nerve to hibernate which helps it avoid a full force attack from the human host immune system. Whenever the Herpes Virus senses that the host immune system is preoccupied or weakened it heads to the skins surface to seek a new host to infect. After infecting the surface skin cells it retreats back into hibernation before the immune system can attack and destroy it. (This ability to run and hide is why a cure has not been found for the Herpes Virus)Of course, that still leaves the symptoms of the Herpes Virus to contend with. As previously stated the Herpes Virus is a real opportunist. It only attacks the surface of the skin when the host immune system is in a weakened condition. When the Virus senses an opportunity it ascends to the skins surface and infects the local skin cells.The body recognizes this as an invasion from the outside of the host body rather than from the inside. This causes the immune system to send help to the skin damaged area caused by the Virus rather than trace down the actual virus that is hiding within the body.Because of the body misdirecting the white cells to the skin rather than seeking out the hiding Herpes Virus the resident Virus escapes unscathed while the skin erupts in a battle of white cells versus the alien skin invasion.The resulting battle creates a developing tender redness as the skin becomes inflamed but is quickly acted on by the body when the Virus causes the skin to open (split). At this point the body is not only fighting the Virus but is now engaged in a totally different struggle against invading bacteria that has entered Simply because the skin is considered by the host body to be the FRONT LINE of protection for the entire body.The huge battle between the white cells surrounding the Virus in battle causes dead Virus cell sand dead bacteria to become a swelling pus pocket that becomes covered with drying cells to create a scab. As the battle rages on the huge army of sacrificing white cells eventually beat back the virus and invading bacteria. When the battle is over the red cells come in to repair the damaged skin.One thing that can complicate this entire process is the removal of the crusted scab at the wrong time. If the scab is removed while the battle is still in progress the removal of the scab will allow a renewed invasion of bacteria. This stalls the battle of the white cells which allows the Virus to regain strength and can even give it an extra opportunity to spread to other areas.So, premature removal of the scab is probably not your best move.But that is not the only way the Herpes Virus can spread. Days before a sore becomes visible it has already invaded skin cells and several days after the sore seems to have gone away there are still infected cells that are slothing off. So a simple touch of the contaminated area can help transfer the Virus to other hosts and even to other areas on the original host.
Consider that as the red cells are repairing a scab area that will itch as it heals. So, naturally we scratch. Now we have the infected cells under our nails and most often will find some reason to touch other areas of our face, eyes or nose. We have just introduced the Herpes Virus to a completely new area to infect.Obviously it would be wise to become suspicious of an itch in the area where your Herpes Virus usually shows up on your skin. It may only be a dry itchy spot but then again it could be the first stages of the highly infectious Herpes Virus eruption. And it is just hoping that you will scratch it and help spread it around.
Consider that as the red cells are repairing a scab area that will itch as it heals. So, naturally we scratch. Now we have the infected cells under our nails and most often will find some reason to touch other areas of our face, eyes or nose. We have just introduced the Herpes Virus to a completely new area to infect.Obviously it would be wise to become suspicious of an itch in the area where your Herpes Virus usually shows up on your skin. It may only be a dry itchy spot but then again it could be the first stages of the highly infectious Herpes Virus eruption. And it is just hoping that you will scratch it and help spread it around.