According a study from the University of Edinburgh, cold sores occur in people who have a gene mutation that does not allow their immune systems to prevent them. Eighty to ninety percent of people have herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1), which causes cold sores; however, only approximately 25% of them have frequent outbreaks. In the blood samples of those who had cold sore outbreaks, there was a mutated IL28b gene. Furthermore, the gene is associated with hepatitis C treatment responses. Patients who have the mutated gene do not respond to treatment well. As a result, a single mutated gene can be associated with more than on virus.
Certainly, it is interesting that many people are somewhat predisposed to have cold sores. Studies, such as this, help people to understand body processes. Also, this help to educate people about what viruses are common in the population.
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