Oral Herpes Symptoms

Oral herpes is more commonly known as fever blisters or cold sores. They usually appear as small fluid-filled painful blisters on the skin and mucous membrane of the body. The most commonly affected areas being upper lips, gums, tongue, inside of the cheek and roof of the mouth. This infection is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. Herpes simplex virus, type 2 generally causes genital herpes and rarely cold sores. Almost 80% of the total cases of oral herpes are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, while the remaining 20% are caused herpes simplex virus type 2.

Primary infection usually heals completely without scarring, but the virus can remain within the body. They migrate from the skin to the nervous tissues of the spine, where they lay dormant for some time. During this latency stage, they reproduce and become inactive. Some people may not experience another recurrence, while others would be troubled by frequent outbreaks. What exactly triggers these outbreaks is not known, but a range of factors like fever, exposure to sunlight, emotional or physical stress and a weakened immune system are believed to be associated with the activation of the herpes simplex virus and the recurrence of this condition.

Oral Herpes Signs
Primary infection with herpes simplex virus is quite common, which may or may not produce symptoms. Only 10% individuals have been found to develop symptoms like fever and blisters with primary infection caused by herpes simplex virus. It is also characterized by an incubation period of 2 to 12 days, i.e. it takes almost 2 to 12 days for the symptoms to appear, after the first contact with the virus. The typical symptoms of this infection is the appearance of fluid-filled blisters on the upper lips or the mucous membrane of the mouth. There can be a solitary blister or a clusters tiny sores. In addition to lips, the other frequently affected areas are, gums, front of the tongue, roof of the mouth, inside of the cheek and throat. The sores can be accompanied by fever, muscle pain and tiredness. Apart from pain, one can feel a burning or tingling sensation at the affected sites. Ultimately, these sores burst and they become crusted and yellow in color.

Cold sores that appear inside the mouth can cause a lot of difficulties in eating and drinking, as they can be really painful. Those appearing on the gum can cause swelling of the gum. In many individuals, the lymph nodes of the neck have also been observed to swell due to this condition. Generally, the infection subsides on its own, without any medication. But, if the symptoms worsen over a period of time and make eating and drinking quite troublesome, medical intervention may be required. This infection requires medical intervention, especially when very young children and people with weak immune systems are affected. Such individuals are more likely to experience severe infection and other complications. As for example, in infants, the virus can migrate to the brain and cause encephalitis along with serious infection.

Oral Herpes Medication
Physicians usually examine the physical symptoms as well as a sample of the sores, to detect the presence of herpes simplex virus. Antigen and antibody studies and blood sampling for antibody studies are also carried out. Another diagnostic test for cold sores is 'tzanck smear' test.

Topical anesthetics are generally used to relieve the painful cold sores. Infants and people with weak immune systems would require oral or IV medications. Oral acyclovir, valacyclovir and famvir or famciclovir are the drugs that are used to ease the pain and symptoms. They have also shown efficacy in reducing the frequency of this viral infection.

It is a contagious disease and it can easily spread from an infected person to a healthy one, through close contact. It can also spread from one area to another area of the body, for which care must be taken to clean the hands properly after touching a fever blister. Though, these blisters usually heal on their own, it is better to consult a physician if the symptoms worsen instead of subsiding within a few days, or lead to other complications like dehydration, dry mouth and painful throat.