What Is The Cause Of Oral Herpes

Check If It’s A Cold Sore

A cold sore usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling.

Over the next 48 hours:

Cold sores should start to heal within 10 days, but are contagious and may be irritating or painful while they heal.

Some people find that certain things trigger a cold sore, such as another illness, sunshine or menstrual periods.

Over The Counter Medications For Cold Sores And Fever Blisters

• Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.
• Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.
• OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.

example:L-Lysine®

Mouth Herpes Home Remedies

• Maintain hygiene as discussed above
• Fingernails should be clipped regularly and kept clean
• Drink lots of water
• Apply a good sunscreen to avoid reocurrence of HSV-1. Cover up exposed parts while moving out.
• Apply ice packs on the affected areas as it tends to reduce pain
• Aspirin and Nuprin are some over the counter drugs that can be taken to reduce fever and inflammation. However aspirin is not to be given to children. They can be administered acetaminophen.
• Some consider pressing a warm tea bag over the lesions for about 30 minutes is beneficial.
• Applying common salt, lemon balm or aloe vera gel speeds up the recovery.
• Eat foods which are rich in lysine, an essential amino acid which produces disease fighting antibodies. It has been valuable in fighting against cold sores.
• Consuming about 1000 mg of lysine in a single day will reduce the duration of lesions
• Prunella Vulgaris, a self heal herb is beneficial in both HSV-1 and HSV-2.

References:

Read Also: How Does Herpes Get Tested

Is Mouth Herpes Contagious

Many people wonder is the mouth herpes contagious? The answer to that is a loud YES. Many times they are viewed as common occurences and not important to your general health. Often parents will simply consider them a normal nuisance part of childhood.

If not treated immediately, it has potential spread to other parts of the body. Being highly contagious in nature it gets readily transmitted by sharing utensils, clothes, and toothbrush. Maintaining sexual contact, kissing and touching also leads to the spread of virus. It is likely to spread more when the virus is present with physical outbursts. It is less contagious if the virus is present without any outward physical signs.

Do everything possible to prevent spreading it to other people. The virus cannot live long when it is not in contact with the skin, so door handles and towels are not likely to spread it. Do not share your personal belongings, like toothbrushes and combs. Wash your hands with soap and water often, and immediately if you touch the sores. This is important so as to minimize the chance of getting ocular herpes which is a serious infection. Be especially careful around infants because their immune systems may not be fully developed. Little children often express affection with sloppy wet kisses. This is a common way to spread the herpes virus within the family.

When Should I See My Doctor

You may need to see a doctor if you have more severe symptoms or a weakened immune system if, for example, you have HIV or you are having cancer treatment.

Its also a good idea to see your doctor if:

• there are signs the cold sore is infected, such as redness around the sore, pus and a fever
• you arent sure you have a cold sore
• the cold sore isnt healing, it’s spreading or you have more than one cold sore
• your cold sore has spread to near your eyes
• you get cold sores often

Antibiotics may be needed if the cold sore gets infected.

Also Check: What Percentage Of People Have Herpes

What Are The Triggers Of Recurrence

There has been no clarity as to the reason of the reactivation of HSV, but some triggers might be the causes of the recurrence of genital herpes.

For instance, a recurrence may be brought about from the friction around your genital area amid sexual intercourse. Lubricant, which can be gotten at the pharmacies without the need for any prescription, can help you prevent from recurrence.

Other conceivable triggers are:

• Surgery performed on the genital area
• Drinking excessive alcohol

How Does Genital Herpes Affect Pregnancy

Genital herpes doesnt affect fertility or your ability to conceive. Pregnant women diagnosed with herpes genitalis should start a daily antiviral at 36 weeks of pregnancy to prevent outbreaks during delivery. If you have an active infection at the time of childbirth, you can pass the herpes virus to your baby. Neonatal herpes puts a baby at risk for blindness, brain damage, skin infections and death. Your healthcare provider will perform a cesarean section to lower this risk.

Recommended Reading: How To Cure Genital Herpes Permanently

Who Is At Risk Of Developing Herpes Simplex Infections

Anyone can contract HSV, regardless of age. Your risk is based almost entirely on exposure to the infection.

In cases of sexually transmitted HSV, people are more at risk when they have sex not protected by condoms or other barrier methods.

Other risk factors for HSV-2 include:

• having multiple sex partners
• having sex at a younger age
• being female
• having another sexually transmitted infection
• having a weakened immune system

If a pregnant woman is having an outbreak of genital herpes at the time of childbirth, it can expose the baby to both types of HSV, and may put them at risk for serious complications.

Its important to understand that someone may not have visible sores or symptoms and still have an infection. They may also transmit the virus to others.

Some of the symptoms associated with this virus include:

• blistering sores

How We Ranked The Best Herpes Supplements

Ranking the supplements was not that easy. There are plenty of oral and genital herpes supplements that claim to offer effective results. Still, in reality, they only provide the body some essential minerals and nutrients such as vitamin C. However, when we kept these factors in our minds, ranking them became easier:

Recommended Reading: When To Test For Herpes

Antiviral Creams And Tablets

Antiviral creams such as aciclovir or penciclovir may speed up the healing time of a recurrent cold sore infection if used correctly.

Cold sore creams are widely available over the counter from pharmacies without a prescription.

They’re only effective if you apply them as soon as the first signs of a cold sore appear, when the herpes simplex virus is spreading and replicating. Using an antiviral cream after this initial period is unlikely to have much effect.

If you have frequently recurring bouts of cold sores, use antiviral medication as soon as you feel the tingling sensation that indicates a cold sore is about to develop. You’ll need to apply the cream up to five times a day for four to five days.

Antiviral creams can only help to heal a current outbreak of cold sores. They don’t get rid of the herpes simplex virus or prevent future outbreaks of cold sores occurring.

Antiviral tablets are generally more effective than creams at treating cold sores, but are usually only prescribed for more severe cases.

How Is Genital Herpes Managed Or Treated

If you have mild symptoms or infrequent outbreaks, you might not need or want treatment. During an outbreak, these steps can ease symptoms:

• Apply an ice pack to your genitals. Wrap the ice pack in a washcloth or apply it over your underwear.
• Keep genitals dry. Wear cotton or other nonsynthetic underpants and avoid tight-fitting clothes. Moist sores take longer to heal.
• Soak in a warm bath.
• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing.

Antiviral medications can prevent outbreaks. They can also lessen symptoms and help symptoms go away faster. You take this medicine as a pill, intravenous injection or skin cream. When taken daily, antivirals can prevent an outbreak. They lower the chances of spreading the virus to other people.

You May Like: What Kills Herpes Virus On Skin

Can You Get Herpes From Oral Sex

Medically reviewed by

The herpes simplex virus is one of the worlds most common viruses, affecting more than half of all people aged 14 to 49 and around 11% of people worldwide . Herpes can affect the lips, face and mouth or the genitals, upper legs and buttocks . Most of the time, oral herpes is caused by the HSV-1 type of the virus, with the majority of genital herpes cases caused by the HSV-2 strain of the herpes virus.However, this isnt always the case. HSV-1, which is the most common form of herpes and the form of the virus most commonly spread through oral-to-oral contact like kissing, can spread to the genitals through oral sex. In short, you can get herpes from oral sex, particularly if the person giving oral sex has an active outbreak of oral herpes.

Below, well explain how oral-to-genital herpes transmission occurs. Well also cover the key risk factors you should be aware of, as well as the best ways to reduce your risk of catching genital herpes through sexual contact.

How Is Genital Herpes Diagnosed

In addition to a physical exam, your healthcare provider will take a fluid sample from the blisters to test for the herpes virus. If your blisters have healed or you dont have blisters, a blood test can check for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibody, a marker showing youve been exposed to the virus.

The blood test doesnt show an active infection . But, it informs your provider that youve been exposed to the herpes virus in the past. If this is your first infection, you likely wont test positive for herpes because there hasnt been enough time for your body to develop antibodies. The HSV-1and HSV-2 antibody test may be repeated in eight to 12 weeks.

Also Check: Will Herpes Go Away On Its Own

How Are Oral Herpes Simplex Virus Infections Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will examine you and carefully look at your blisters. He may ask if you have other medical conditions. He will also need to know when the sores started, along with your other symptoms. You may also need any of the following:

• Fluid sample: A sample is taken from the affected area and checked under the microscope or sent for other testing.
• Blood tests: Your blood is tested for antibodies and to see if you have been exposed to HSV. The tests may also show if you have developed antibodies from exposure to HSV.
• Biopsy: This is a procedure used to remove a small piece of tissue from the ulcer. This sample is then sent to the lab for tests.

Complications Of Cold Sores

Cold sores are usually mild, but may cause complications in rare cases. People with weak immune systems caused by illness or treatments such as chemotherapy are particularly at risk of complications.

Dehydration sometimes occurs if drinking fluids becomes painful. Young children are particularly at risk of becoming dehydrated.

The herpes simplex virus can also spread to other parts of your body. Examples of when this can occur include:

• skin infections these often occur if the virus comes into contact with broken skin, such as a cut or graze, or a skin condition such as eczema
• herpetic whitlow this causes painful sores and blisters to appear on and around your fingers
• herpetic keratoconjunctivitis this causes swelling and irritation of your eye area and sores to develop on your eyelids

Left untreated, herpetic keratoconjunctivitis can cause the cornea, the transparent layer at the front of your eye, to become infected, which can eventually lead to blindness.

It’s therefore important not to touch your eyes if you have an unhealed cold sore. If you must touch your eyes for example, to remove contact lenses wash your hands thoroughly first.

In very rare cases, encephalitis, a condition where the brain becomes inflamed and swollen, can be caused by the cold sore virus spreading to the brain. It can be treated with intravenous injections of antiviral medications, such as aciclovir.

Read Also: How Do You Treat Herpes On The Lips

How Do You Get Herpes Causes Symptoms And Prevention

Jennifer Nelson

Jennifer Nelson

Jennifer is a contributing health writer who has been researching and writing health content with PlushCare for 3 years. She is passionate about bringing accessible healthcare and mental health services to people everywhere.

Dr. Katalin Karolyi

Dr. Katalin Karolyi

Katalin Karolyi, M.D. earned her medical degree at the University of Debrecen. After completing her residency program in pathology at the Kenezy Hospital, she obtained a postdoctoral position at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida.

Maybe you think you have herpes and youre wondering how you got itor youre wondering how to avoid getting it. Either way, theres a lot you should know about the herpes simplex virus to help prevent its spread. So, how do you get herpes, and how can you avoid spreading it to others?

Clean Thoroughly But Gently Twice A Day

Heres a little more info about your dental enamel it is comprised of tiny, tightly-packed rods of minerals.

You have about 5 million rods in the lower lateral incisor and up to 12 million in the upper first molar.

Brushing your teeth with a side-to-side motion goes against the orientation of the enamel rods in your teeth.

Can cause the rods to weaken and break. Instead, position your toothbrush bristles at a 45-degree angle to the surface of the teeth and brush gently in small circles.

Dental hygienists advise brushing for three minutes, with a soft brush.

Replace the brush every three months or sooner if the bristles are worn, bent or frayed. Also, replace your toothbrush if youve just recovered from a cold, the flu or another ailment.

Germs like lurk in your brushs bristles, they can keep germens that help to develop oral herpes.

You may want to talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about electronic toothbrushes or the newer brushes that use ultrasound to destroy harmful bacteria and debris.

Flossing has recently come under fire theres no scientific proof of its effectiveness.

But that doesnt necessarily mean that it is ineffective it just indicates that no one has spent the money and time necessary to do an in-depth research study on flossing.

The logic seems to suggest that flossing is a very effective way to remove food debris from between the teeth.

Also Check: How To Heal Herpes On Face

Is Herpes On Tongue Contagious

Herpes on tongue is highly contagious, meaning that it can be contracted through touching the skin, saliva or mucous membrane of an infected person. Due to its high level of contagiousness, a vast number of the populace is infected by a subtype of the HSV-1 virus before they become adults. So, anyone who is currently suffering from the disease poses a great threat to others who come in close contact with them daily.

One of the easiest ways of contracting the virus is through kissing an infected person. Since the saliva is often laden with the virus, kissing makes it easy to transmit the virus. Having open wounds in your mouth or around the lips increases the chances of getting herpes on tongue.

Transmission through sexual activity is quite common as well, especially during an active stage. Vaginal fluids are contagious hence it is regarded as a sexually transmitted disease . Oral sex is also a good way of transmitting the virus because of the direct contact with the fluid discharged from the genitals.

When should I see a doctor?

If the herpes on tongue wont go away or the pain becomes unbearable even after trying your normal home remedies, then it is time to see your doctor for more investigation and further treatment. You should also see the doctor if there are signs of dehydration.

If you take over-the-counter drugs and they fail to address your problem, see the doctor for further evaluation and management.

How Will My Doctor Know If I Have Herpes

Your healthcare provider may diagnose genital herpes by simply looking at your symptoms. Providers can also take a sample from the sore and test it. In certain situations, a blood test may be used to look for herpes antibodies. Have an honest and open talk with your health care provider and ask whether you should be tested for herpes or other STDs.

Please note: A herpes blood test can help determine if you have herpes infection. It cannot tell you who gave you the infection or how long you have been infected.

You May Like: How To Test For Herpes Type 2

How Are Genital Herpes Diagnosed

Other STIs, like syphilis, cause similar symptoms. In addition to a physical exam, your healthcare provider will take a fluid sample from the blisters to test for the herpes virus. If your blisters are healed or you dont have blisters, a blood test can check for HSV-2 antibody, a marker that shows you have been exposed to the virus.

Also Check: Why Do I Have Herpes Outbreaks Every Month

How To Prevent Herpes On The Tongue

Herpes, alas, doesn’t have a known cure, so prevention is the best way to protect yourself from this virus’s lifelong effects. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, when someone has an active sore, it’s best to avoid physical contact because of transmission risk.

Awareness is the key to prevention. When you feel you’re on the cusp of an outbreak, contact your doctor about how potentially to prevent sores from developing. Also, be aware that saliva, mucous membranes, and skin all carry active viral components that can infect others and reinfect yourself.

No matter what prevention methods you take, you might not be able to protect yourself. Occasionally, herpes can be actively spread even when the afflicted person has no symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons many people get infected. The best you can do is ask people with whom you’re in a relationship if they’ve ever had a herpes outbreak.

Also Check: How To Prevent Recurrent Genital Herpes