Cold Sores/Oral Herpes

18 de enero de 2022

4 min de lectura

Oral herpes, referred to as a cold sore or fever blister, is a common infection causing sores to the mouth and/or lips, affecting millions each year. Approximately 50% to 80% of adults have been exposed to herpes simplex virus 1 resulting in oral herpes, according to John Hopkins Medicine.

What causes oral herpes?

Oral herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). HSV-1 is most often acquired in adolescence through non-sexual contact with saliva, such as kissing. Once a person has been infected with HSV-1, the virus remains in the body for the remainder of their life as there currently is no known cure.

Oral herpes can be “awakened” or activated by many things including:

A hormonal change
Pregnancy
Menstruation
Extremely high or low temperatures
Sunburn
Stress
Illness
Dry, cracked lips

Symptoms of oral herpes

Cold sores or oral herpes produce similar symptoms in all people affected by HSV-1. A person living with oral herpes constantly has the HSV-1 virus lying dormant in the trigeminal ganglion nerve group.

Initial Symptoms

When the virus is awakened, a person will first notice a tingling, itching, or burning sensation near the mouth or on their lips. Blisters, small fluid-filled sacs, begin forming approximately 12 to 24 hours after initial discomfort.

Main Symptoms

A person experiencing an initial HSV-1 outbreak may experience varying symptoms other than a recurrent outbreak, such as:

A sore throat
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Inflamed or swollen lymph nodes

As far as the actual cold sore, within 5 days after blister formation, the blister begins to scab over and may crack or bleed.

Eye infections and genital sores are rare complications of oral herpes.

Duration of Cold Sores

This is the start of the healing process of these blisters — a process that can take up to two weeks for total healing. Once the blister has fully healed, the virus goes back to a dormant state until it is triggered again.

How is oral herpes treated?

Oral herpes is most commonly treated with the use of over-the-counter creams or ointment. This OTC ointment is applied directly to the affected area. This medication can be purchased from any local drug store, grocery store, or pharmacy without a prescription. When OTC ointment is used as soon as the burning or tingling sensation is felt, a person may be able to prevent blister formation altogether.

When OTC medication is not successful in healing the cold sores, a physician will provide the patient with prescription antiviral medications that are to be taken orally as prescribed. Treatment-resistant oral herpes may require intravenous antiviral medication.

Prevention of oral herpes

A person living with herpes simplex virus 1 can be asymptomatic for years. However, it becomes highly contagious when they begin experiencing symptoms and develop blisters. To avoid contracting herpes simplex virus 1 it is imperative that you do not kiss or engage in oral sex with a person with blisters present.

In addition, if you are exposed to or have contracted HSV-1:

Avoid sharing utensils, towels, chapstick, lip balm, or other personal items as HSV-1 can be transmitted through the saliva on these items.
Avoid kissing or direct contact when blisters are present.
Wash your hands regularly before touching other areas of your body, other people, or items if you have touched the cold sore on your mouth.

Once you have a cold sore, you can spread the virus to others until the cold sore has scrapped over, says the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Once someone has been exposed to and diagnosed with HSV-1, they remain infected for life as there is no cure. Therefore, there is no risk of “reinfection”. However, the World Health Organization reports that a person with HSV-1 is at an increased risk of developing HSV-2 (genital herpes).

It is important that you avoid direct skin contact with a person that has blisters on or near their mouth even if they say it is “nothing”. It can take up to 20 days after exposure to the virus for symptoms to appear. Remember, once you are infected with HSV-1 you will live with this virus for the remainder of your life, therefore protecting yourself from exposure is more important than ever.

If you think you may have been exposed, contact your primary care physician for testing.

Record Your Cold Sores Wellness

Did you know that you can record and track your feelings about your cold sores through the “My Storyline” tab on your Profile page on the Healthread app? Since cold sores can take up to two weeks to resolve, this is a great tool to use to monitor how you are feeling about the progress of your cold sores healing. And, through the app, you can receive and lend support to other Healthread readers who may also be dealing with a cold sores outbreak.

Sources

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