Improve Your Knowledge about Herpes of the Mouth

What is herpes of the mouth? What are the common symptoms and mouth sores causes? How is it treated?

Defining Herpes of the Mouth

Oral herpes is a contagious disease caused by the activation of the herpes virus. There are actually two types of herpes viruses a person can acquire. These are type 1 and type 2. Though type 2 can cause mouth herpes, it’s type 1 that is usually the reason why. In fact, more than 75 percent of oral sores are caused by type 1.

There’s one way to get the virus: transmission. Hence, men and women who are sexually active are more prone to developing oral sores than children. It can also be transmitted every time someone accidentally or deliberately touches the areas where the sores area or where the herpes virus is currently situated. Any item that has direct contact with herpes such as spoons and forks can be contaminated. Unless cleaned or sterilized properly, the virus can be passed on to the next user.

There are many different places where the herpes sores can appear. They would usually develop outside the mouth, such as on the upper and lower lips, the surroundings of the mouth, and sometimes on the cheeks. However, it’s also possible to have lesions inside, such as in the tongue, sore on roof of mouth, and the oral walls. There are also times when they can be found in the throat area.

Symptoms of Herpes of the Mouth

The virus can remain dormant for a long time. Thus, a huge percentage are never aware they already carry herpes. Nevertheless, usually it manifests. You will know you’re on the verge of having blisters if the areas around outside and inside the mouth feel itchy. You can also experience tingling sensations.

The skin will start to dry, and pimple-like bumps will appear. They will form vesicles, which can erupt within hours or days. They will then become open sores. They are painful to touch, cause burning sensation, and can excrete fluids. These fluids should not be touched as they normally contain the herpes virus.

Aside from the mouth sore, you may develop slight fever and muscle pains. If you aren’t careful and if you keep on touching the sores, the herpes virus can be transferred to other parts of the body, even in the genital area.

The cold sores or fever blisters can last for few days to 2 weeks. Around this time the open sores will develop scabs or a crusty layer, which will signal the start of the healing process.

How to Remedy Herpes of the Mouth

Here’s the truth: you cannot treat mouth herpes. Though there are talks of vaccines, they are still not available in the market. If you have the virus, the best thing you can do is to find ways to manage the sores more effectively.

The usual treatment is the use of anti-viral medications, which can speed up the healing process. You can also take suppressive drugs, which will prevent the reoccurrence. These medications are more recommended for those who develop the sores more than 5 times a year.