Is herpes a type of cold sore?

Herpes is a family of viruses that can cause a variety of skin, mucosal, and neurological infections, including cold sores. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are typically caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). HSV-1 is a highly contagious virus that can spread through close contact, such as kissing or sharing personal items. Once infected with HSV-1, the virus remains in the body and can reactivate periodically, causing recurrent outbreaks of cold sores.

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has had chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the body and can reactivate years or decades later, leading to an outbreak of shingles. Shingles typically affects a specific area of the body and is characterized by a painful rash and blisters.

Both cold sores and shingles are types of herpes infections, but they are caused by different viruses and have distinct symptoms and patterns of recurrence.