A gene may be the cause of frequent outbreaks of cold sores

For those with type 1 herpes or cold sores, a common virus that appears as small, painful lesions on the lip area, it seems that the evil attacks them more often than others. And now a new study conducted between the University of Utah and the University of Massachusetts, and published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases , says that this concept may have a genetic basis.

As reported by CNN , researchers say the gene C21orf91 behind Cold sores can be found frequently in the human body. However, there are two variants of it that are associated with more active and frequent them. And even if this does not mean that anyone with the changes more often suffer outbreaks, it could make it more prone to the same .

The scientists reached their conclusions after analyzing data from gene sequences of 618 research participants, half of whom had suffered outbreaks of cold sores in the past. Findings were able to show that of these, 21% outbreaks were due to genetic factors, while 79% could be caused by the virus strain or environmental elements.