Cold sores and fever blisters are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex type 1 (HSV 1) more often than herpes simplex type 2 (HSV 2). Cold sores start like this one with vesicles and progress like genital herpes lesions to ulcers, crusting, then healing without a scar. Learn more about the course of cold sores and the treatment of cold sores.

