Ency. home > Disease > H > Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex)

Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex)    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Cold sore; Fever blister; Herpes simplex - oral

Definition:

An infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, characterized by an eruption of small and usually painful blisters on the skin of the lips, mouth, gums, or the skin around the mouth.

Causes and Risks

Herpes labialis (cold sores, fever blister) is an extremely common disease caused by infection of the mouth area with herpes simplex type 1. Most Americans are infected with the type 1 virus by the age of 20. The initial infection may cause no symptoms or mouth ulcers. The virus remains in the nerve tissue of the face. In some people, the virus reactivates and produces recurrent cold sores that are usually in the same area but are not serious. Herpes virus type 2 usually causes genital herpes and infection of babies at birth but can also causes herpes labialis.

Herpes viruses are contagious. Contact can occur directly, or through contact with infected razors, towels, dishes, etc. The herpes virus can also infect the fetus and cause congenital abnormalities.

The first symptoms usually appear 1 or 2 weeks after contact with an infected person, or up to as late as 20 or more days after exposure. The lesions of herpes labialis usually last for 7 to 10 days, then begin to resolve. The virus may become latent, residing in the nerve cells, with recurrence at or near the original site. Recurrence is usually milder. It may be triggered by menstrual periods, sun exposure, illness with fever, or other unknown causes.

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