New US study unveils that people are more likely to suffer from oral herpes flare-ups during March and April than the rest of the year, reports the Daily Mail.

Confirming that poor immune response is a major trigger of herpes-borne infections, a report in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research warns that sexually active people are most vulnerable to contracting cold sores in spring when the immune system becomes weakened.

The tabloid newspaper learns from the study that following initial outbreaks in March and April, another cold sores flare-up is likely during the month of August. As noted in the report, excessive exposure to the sun during summer can trigger an outbreak in the middle of the year.

It may be noted that compromised immunity is among the major risk factors for genital herpes and cold sores. The virus that causes these two sexually transmitted diseases can become activated when immune cell activities hit a low.

Despite the scary thoughts about getting cold sores, March can be the best time to get a surgery done, the Daily Mail notes. This conclusion is drawn from the results of a survey of approximately 200,000 lung cancer survivors, the tabloid says. Any major operation in winter entails a “33% increased risk” of failure, according to experts.