What are the main causes of oral herpes. How can you identify the symptoms of oral herpes. What are the most effective treatment methods for oral herpes. When should you seek medical attention for oral herpes. How contagious is oral herpes and how can it be prevented.

Understanding Oral Herpes: An Overview of the Viral Infection

Oral herpes is a common viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It primarily affects the mouth and surrounding areas, resulting in painful sores and other uncomfortable symptoms. While often associated with cold sores on the lips, oral herpes can also affect the gums, tongue, roof of the mouth, and inside of the cheeks.

The infection is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct contact with infected saliva, mucous membranes, or skin. Due to its prevalence, most people have been exposed to at least one herpes subtype before reaching adulthood. Understanding the nature of this infection is crucial for proper management and prevention.

The Two Types of Herpes Simplex Virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2

There are two main types of herpes simplex virus that can cause oral herpes:

• Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1): Responsible for approximately 80% of oral herpes cases
• Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2): Accounts for the remaining cases of oral herpes

While HSV-1 is more commonly associated with oral herpes and HSV-2 with genital herpes, both types can cause infections in either location. The distinction between the two is important for understanding transmission patterns and potential complications.

How does the herpes virus spread?

The herpes virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or skin. This can occur through activities such as:

• Kissing someone with an active outbreak
• Sharing utensils, lip balm, or other personal items
• Engaging in oral sex with an infected partner
• Touching an active sore and then touching another part of your body

It’s important to note that the virus can be transmitted even when no visible symptoms are present, a phenomenon known as asymptomatic shedding.

The Three Stages of Herpes Infection: Primary, Latency, and Recurrence

The herpes virus has a unique ability to progress through three distinct stages within the human body:

1. Primary Infection: This initial stage occurs when the virus first enters the body through the skin or mucous membranes. During this phase, the virus reproduces rapidly, potentially leading to the development of oral sores and other symptoms such as fever.
2. Latency: Following the primary infection, the virus moves to a cluster of nerve cells called the dorsal root ganglion, located near the spinal cord. Here, it enters a dormant state, remaining inactive but still present in the body.
3. Recurrence: Various triggers, such as stress, illness, or hormonal changes, can cause the virus to reactivate. When this happens, it travels back to the original infection site, potentially causing new sores and symptoms.

Understanding these stages is crucial for managing the infection and preventing its spread. It’s worth noting that some individuals may experience asymptomatic infections, where they carry the virus without displaying any visible symptoms.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Oral Herpes: From Tingling to Sores

The symptoms of oral herpes can vary in severity and duration. Typically, they follow a predictable pattern:

• Incubation period: 2-12 days (average of 4 days) from exposure to symptom onset
• Duration of symptoms: 2-3 weeks

The most common symptoms include:

• Painful sores on lips, gums, tongue, roof of mouth, and inside cheeks
• Fever and muscle aches
• Tingling, burning, or itching sensation before sores appear
• Swollen and painful lymph nodes in the neck
• Difficulty eating or drinking due to pain

What does the progression of oral herpes sores look like?

Oral herpes sores typically progress through several stages:

1. Initial tingling or burning sensation
2. Formation of small, fluid-filled blisters
3. Rupturing of blisters, leaving shallow gray ulcers on a red base
4. Crusting or scabbing of sores
5. Healing and disappearance of sores

This progression usually occurs over a period of 2-3 weeks.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing Serious Symptoms

While oral herpes often resolves on its own, certain circumstances warrant medical attention:

• Difficulty eating or drinking due to pain, potentially leading to dehydration
• Symptoms of dehydration (decreased urination, drowsiness, irritability, dry mouth)
• Uncertainty about the nature of the sores
• Infants younger than 8 weeks with herpes sores
• Weakened immune system

In these cases, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider promptly to prevent complications and ensure proper treatment.

Can oral herpes lead to serious complications?

While rare, oral herpes can lead to serious complications in certain cases:

1. Dehydration due to difficulty eating and drinking
2. Spread of infection to the eyes (ocular herpes)
3. Encephalitis (brain inflammation) in severe cases, especially in infants or immunocompromised individuals
4. Increased risk of HIV transmission if exposed

These potential complications underscore the importance of proper management and seeking medical attention when necessary.

Diagnosing Oral Herpes: From Visual Examination to Laboratory Tests

Diagnosing oral herpes typically involves a combination of visual examination and patient history. In most cases, the characteristic appearance of herpes sores is sufficient for a diagnosis. However, in some instances, additional testing may be necessary:

• Viral culture: A sample from the sores is analyzed to identify the virus
• Tzanck smear: A staining test to detect certain cellular changes indicative of herpes infection
• Antigen and antibody studies: Blood tests to detect the presence of herpes antibodies
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test: A highly sensitive test to detect viral DNA

These tests are particularly useful in cases where the diagnosis is uncertain or when the infection involves other organ systems.

Why might a doctor order additional tests for oral herpes?

A healthcare provider might order additional tests for oral herpes in the following situations:

1. Atypical presentation of symptoms
2. Suspected complications or systemic involvement
3. Need for definitive diagnosis in high-risk individuals (e.g., pregnant women, immunocompromised patients)
4. Differentiating between HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections
5. Monitoring treatment effectiveness in severe cases

These tests help ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially in complex cases.

Treatment Options for Oral Herpes: From Home Remedies to Antiviral Medications

The treatment of oral herpes focuses on managing symptoms and reducing the duration of outbreaks. While there is no cure for the herpes virus, several treatment options can help:

1. Self-care measures:
   • Applying ice or cold compresses to sores
   • Using over-the-counter pain relievers
   • Maintaining good oral hygiene
   • Avoiding triggers like stress and excessive sun exposure
2. Topical treatments:
   • Docosanol (Abreva): An over-the-counter antiviral cream
   • Benzyl alcohol: A topical anesthetic to relieve pain and itching
3. Oral antiviral medications:
   • Acyclovir (Zovirax)
   • Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
   • Famciclovir (Famvir)
4. Supplements:
   • Lysine: An amino acid that may help reduce outbreak frequency
   • Zinc: May help boost immune function and reduce symptom severity

For most people with a healthy immune system, oral antiviral medications are not routinely prescribed for every outbreak. However, they may be recommended for frequent or severe recurrences, or for individuals with weakened immune systems.

How effective are antiviral medications in treating oral herpes?

Antiviral medications can be highly effective in treating oral herpes when used properly:

1. They can reduce the duration of outbreaks by 1-2 days
2. They may decrease the severity of symptoms
3. When taken at the first sign of an outbreak, they can sometimes prevent the formation of sores
4. For individuals with frequent recurrences, daily suppressive therapy can reduce outbreak frequency by up to 80%

While these medications don’t cure the virus, they can significantly improve quality of life for those with recurrent outbreaks.

Preventing the Spread of Oral Herpes: Practical Tips and Precautions

While it’s not always possible to prevent oral herpes infection, several measures can reduce the risk of transmission:

• Avoid direct contact with herpes sores or infected bodily fluids
• Refrain from kissing or engaging in oral sex during active outbreaks
• Don’t share personal items like utensils, lip balm, or towels
• Practice good hand hygiene, especially after touching the face or mouth
• Use barrier methods (e.g., dental dams) during oral sex
• Consider suppressive antiviral therapy if you have frequent outbreaks

It’s important to note that asymptomatic shedding can occur, meaning the virus can be transmitted even when no visible symptoms are present. Open communication with sexual partners about herpes status is crucial for preventing transmission.

Can lifestyle changes help prevent oral herpes outbreaks?

Certain lifestyle changes may help reduce the frequency and severity of oral herpes outbreaks:

1. Managing stress through relaxation techniques or exercise
2. Getting adequate sleep to support immune function
3. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals
4. Avoiding known triggers, such as excessive sun exposure or certain foods
5. Quitting smoking, as it can weaken the immune system
6. Limiting alcohol consumption, which can trigger outbreaks in some individuals

While these changes won’t eliminate the virus, they can help manage symptoms and reduce the impact of oral herpes on daily life.

Living with Oral Herpes: Coping Strategies and Support

Living with oral herpes can be challenging, but with proper management and support, it’s possible to lead a normal, healthy life. Here are some strategies for coping with the condition:

• Educate yourself about the virus and its management
• Develop a support network of friends, family, or support groups
• Practice self-care and stress management techniques
• Be open and honest with romantic partners about your herpes status
• Focus on overall health and wellness to support your immune system
• Consider counseling if the emotional impact of herpes is significant

Remember that oral herpes is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide. With proper care and management, its impact on your life can be minimized.

How can you discuss oral herpes with a new partner?

Discussing oral herpes with a new partner can be challenging but is an important step in building trust and preventing transmission. Here are some tips:

1. Choose a calm, private moment for the conversation
2. Provide accurate information about the virus, its transmission, and your specific situation
3. Be prepared to answer questions and address concerns
4. Discuss prevention methods and strategies for reducing transmission risk
5. Be honest about your feelings and allow your partner time to process the information
6. Consider seeking guidance from a healthcare provider or counselor if needed

Remember, open and honest communication is key to maintaining healthy relationships while managing oral herpes.

In conclusion, oral herpes is a common viral infection that, while incurable, can be effectively managed with proper care and treatment. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, individuals can take proactive steps to minimize outbreaks and reduce the risk of transmission. With the right approach, it’s possible to live a full and healthy life while managing oral herpes.

Oral Herpes

Oral Herpes Overview

Oral herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus causes painful sores on your lips, gums, tongue, roof of your mouth, and inside your cheeks. It also can cause symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.

• The herpes simplex virus affects only humans. Mouth sores most commonly occur in children aged 1-2 years, but they can affect people at any age and any time of the year.
• People contract herpes by touching infected saliva, mucous membranes, or skin. Because the virus is highly contagious, most people have been infected by at least 1 herpes subtype before adulthood.
• After the herpes virus infects you, it has a rather unique ability to proceed to 3 stages.
  • Primary infection: The virus enters your skin or mucous membrane and reproduces. During this stage, oral sores and other symptoms, such as fever, may develop.
    • The virus may not cause any sores and symptoms. You may not know that you have it. This is called asymptomatic infection.
    • Asymptomatic infection occurs twice as often as the disease with symptoms.

• • Latency: From the infected site, the virus moves to a mass of nervous tissue in your spine called the dorsal root ganglion. There the virus reproduces again and becomes inactive.
  • Recurrence: When you encounter certain stresses, emotional or physical, the virus may reactivate and cause new sores and symptoms.

Oral Herpes Causes

Herpes simplex is a DNA virus that causes sores in and around your mouth. Two herpes subtypes may cause these sores.

• Herpes simplex virus, type 1 or herpes-1, which causes 80% of cases of oral herpes infections
• Herpes simplex virus, type 2 or herpes-2, which causes the rest

Oral Herpes Symptoms

Incubation period: For oral herpes, the amount of time between contact with the virus and the appearance of symptoms, the incubation period, is 2-12 days. Most people average about 4 days.

• Duration of illness: Signs and symptoms will last 2-3 weeks. Fever, tiredness, muscle aches, and irritability may occur.
  • Pain, burning, tingling, or itching occurs at the infection site before the sores appear. Then clusters of blisters erupt. These blisters break down rapidly and, when seen, appear as tiny, shallow, gray ulcers on a red base. A few days later, they become crusted or scabbed and appear drier and more yellow
  • Oral sores: The most intense pain caused by these sores occurs at the onset and make eating and drinking difficult.
    • The sores may occur on the lips, the gums, the front of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the throat, and the roof of the mouth.
    • They may also extend down the chin and neck.
    • The gums may become mildly swollen and red and may bleed.
    • Neck lymph nodes often swell and become painful.
    • In people in their teens and 20s, herpes may cause a painful throat with shallow ulcers and a grayish coating on the tonsils.

When to Seek Medical Care

When to call the doctor

• Because the sores are painful, you may have difficulty eating or drinking. To prevent dehydration, call your doctor as soon as you cannot eat or drink.
• Call your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms, which suggest dehydration, occur:
  • A decrease in urination (fewer wet diapers in infants)
  • Drowsiness
  • Irritability
  • Dry mouth
• Call your doctor if you or your children are not sure what the sores are.
• If your child is younger than 8 weeks, notify your doctor when sores appear. Severe infection or disease complications occur more commonly in infants. For instance, besides affecting the mouth, the herpes simplex virus may go to the brain and produce damage.
• People whose immune systems are weakened should also call their doctor when sores appear. Your immune system protects you from infection or fights infection. If your system is weakened, you are more likely to have severe infection or disease complication.

When to go to the hospital

Signs and symptoms of dehydration may warrant going to a hospital’s emergency department.

Exams and Tests

A doctor will base a diagnosis on information you provide and on physical examination. The characteristic appearance of the herpes sores leaves little doubt. Further testing is usually not necessary.

If you require a definitive diagnosis, for instance, if your infection involves other organ systems, the doctor may conduct laboratory tests.

• A sample from the sores to identify the virus
• A culture analysis
• A staining test called the Tzanck smear
• Antigen and antibody studies
• Blood sampling for antibody studies

Oral Herpes Treatment Self-Care at Home

Medical Treatment

Treatment includes medication for fever and taking plenty of fluids.

• A topical anesthetic such as viscous lidocaine (Dilocaine, Nervocaine, Xylocaine, Zilactin-L) may be prescribed to relieve pain.
• Oral or IV medication does exist for herpes but is not recommended for people with a normal immune system. It is used only for people with weakened immune systems, infants younger than 6 weeks, or people with severe disease.
• Some people may require hospital admission:
  • Those with severe local infection
  • People whose infection has spread to other organ systems
  • People with weakened immune systems
  • Dehydrated individuals who need IV hydration
  • Infants younger than 6 weeks

Next Steps Follow-up

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Use pain medications as instructed by the doctor.
• Use medications to control fever.
• Watch for signs and symptoms of dehydration.

Prevention

Avoid touching saliva, skin, or mucous membranes that have sores.

Outlook

The sores and symptoms of oral herpes completely clear up in 2-3 weeks. But the sores may reappear under certain stressful situations.

Multimedia

Media file 1: Oral Herpes. Clusters of blisters erupt on the lips, tongue, and inside the mouth. Most people have been infected by at least 1 herpes subtype before adulthood.

Synonyms and Keywords

herpes labialis, herpes gingivostomatitis, herpes pharyngitis, cold sores, fever blisters, herpes simplex virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes-1, herpes simplex virus, type 2 or herpes-2, herpes blister, oral blister, oral herpes

Oral Herpes

Oral Herpes Overview

Oral herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus causes painful sores on your lips, gums, tongue, roof of your mouth, and inside your cheeks. It also can cause symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.

• The herpes simplex virus affects only humans. Mouth sores most commonly occur in children aged 1-2 years, but they can affect people at any age and any time of the year.
• People contract herpes by touching infected saliva, mucous membranes, or skin. Because the virus is highly contagious, most people have been infected by at least 1 herpes subtype before adulthood.
• After the herpes virus infects you, it has a rather unique ability to proceed to 3 stages.
  • Primary infection: The virus enters your skin or mucous membrane and reproduces. During this stage, oral sores and other symptoms, such as fever, may develop.
    • The virus may not cause any sores and symptoms. You may not know that you have it. This is called asymptomatic infection.
    • Asymptomatic infection occurs twice as often as the disease with symptoms.

• • Latency: From the infected site, the virus moves to a mass of nervous tissue in your spine called the dorsal root ganglion. There the virus reproduces again and becomes inactive.
  • Recurrence: When you encounter certain stresses, emotional or physical, the virus may reactivate and cause new sores and symptoms.

Oral Herpes Causes

Herpes simplex is a DNA virus that causes sores in and around your mouth. Two herpes subtypes may cause these sores.

• Herpes simplex virus, type 1 or herpes-1, which causes 80% of cases of oral herpes infections
• Herpes simplex virus, type 2 or herpes-2, which causes the rest

Oral Herpes Symptoms

Incubation period: For oral herpes, the amount of time between contact with the virus and the appearance of symptoms, the incubation period, is 2-12 days. Most people average about 4 days.

• Duration of illness: Signs and symptoms will last 2-3 weeks. Fever, tiredness, muscle aches, and irritability may occur.
  • Pain, burning, tingling, or itching occurs at the infection site before the sores appear. Then clusters of blisters erupt. These blisters break down rapidly and, when seen, appear as tiny, shallow, gray ulcers on a red base. A few days later, they become crusted or scabbed and appear drier and more yellow
  • Oral sores: The most intense pain caused by these sores occurs at the onset and make eating and drinking difficult.
    • The sores may occur on the lips, the gums, the front of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the throat, and the roof of the mouth.
    • They may also extend down the chin and neck.
    • The gums may become mildly swollen and red and may bleed.
    • Neck lymph nodes often swell and become painful.
    • In people in their teens and 20s, herpes may cause a painful throat with shallow ulcers and a grayish coating on the tonsils.

When to Seek Medical Care

When to call the doctor

• Because the sores are painful, you may have difficulty eating or drinking. To prevent dehydration, call your doctor as soon as you cannot eat or drink.
• Call your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms, which suggest dehydration, occur:
  • A decrease in urination (fewer wet diapers in infants)
  • Drowsiness
  • Irritability
  • Dry mouth
• Call your doctor if you or your children are not sure what the sores are.
• If your child is younger than 8 weeks, notify your doctor when sores appear. Severe infection or disease complications occur more commonly in infants. For instance, besides affecting the mouth, the herpes simplex virus may go to the brain and produce damage.
• People whose immune systems are weakened should also call their doctor when sores appear. Your immune system protects you from infection or fights infection. If your system is weakened, you are more likely to have severe infection or disease complication.

When to go to the hospital

Signs and symptoms of dehydration may warrant going to a hospital’s emergency department.

Exams and Tests

A doctor will base a diagnosis on information you provide and on physical examination. The characteristic appearance of the herpes sores leaves little doubt. Further testing is usually not necessary.

If you require a definitive diagnosis, for instance, if your infection involves other organ systems, the doctor may conduct laboratory tests.

• A sample from the sores to identify the virus
• A culture analysis
• A staining test called the Tzanck smear
• Antigen and antibody studies
• Blood sampling for antibody studies

Oral Herpes Treatment Self-Care at Home

Medical Treatment

Treatment includes medication for fever and taking plenty of fluids.

• A topical anesthetic such as viscous lidocaine (Dilocaine, Nervocaine, Xylocaine, Zilactin-L) may be prescribed to relieve pain.
• Oral or IV medication does exist for herpes but is not recommended for people with a normal immune system. It is used only for people with weakened immune systems, infants younger than 6 weeks, or people with severe disease.
• Some people may require hospital admission:
  • Those with severe local infection
  • People whose infection has spread to other organ systems
  • People with weakened immune systems
  • Dehydrated individuals who need IV hydration
  • Infants younger than 6 weeks

Next Steps Follow-up

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Use pain medications as instructed by the doctor.
• Use medications to control fever.
• Watch for signs and symptoms of dehydration.

Prevention

Avoid touching saliva, skin, or mucous membranes that have sores.

Outlook

The sores and symptoms of oral herpes completely clear up in 2-3 weeks. But the sores may reappear under certain stressful situations.

Multimedia

Media file 1: Oral Herpes. Clusters of blisters erupt on the lips, tongue, and inside the mouth. Most people have been infected by at least 1 herpes subtype before adulthood.

Synonyms and Keywords

herpes labialis, herpes gingivostomatitis, herpes pharyngitis, cold sores, fever blisters, herpes simplex virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes-1, herpes simplex virus, type 2 or herpes-2, herpes blister, oral blister, oral herpes

Oral Herpes

Oral Herpes Overview

Oral herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus causes painful sores on your lips, gums, tongue, roof of your mouth, and inside your cheeks. It also can cause symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.

• The herpes simplex virus affects only humans. Mouth sores most commonly occur in children aged 1-2 years, but they can affect people at any age and any time of the year.
• People contract herpes by touching infected saliva, mucous membranes, or skin. Because the virus is highly contagious, most people have been infected by at least 1 herpes subtype before adulthood.
• After the herpes virus infects you, it has a rather unique ability to proceed to 3 stages.
  • Primary infection: The virus enters your skin or mucous membrane and reproduces. During this stage, oral sores and other symptoms, such as fever, may develop.
    • The virus may not cause any sores and symptoms. You may not know that you have it. This is called asymptomatic infection.
    • Asymptomatic infection occurs twice as often as the disease with symptoms.

• • Latency: From the infected site, the virus moves to a mass of nervous tissue in your spine called the dorsal root ganglion. There the virus reproduces again and becomes inactive.
  • Recurrence: When you encounter certain stresses, emotional or physical, the virus may reactivate and cause new sores and symptoms.

Oral Herpes Causes

Herpes simplex is a DNA virus that causes sores in and around your mouth. Two herpes subtypes may cause these sores.

• Herpes simplex virus, type 1 or herpes-1, which causes 80% of cases of oral herpes infections
• Herpes simplex virus, type 2 or herpes-2, which causes the rest

Oral Herpes Symptoms

Incubation period: For oral herpes, the amount of time between contact with the virus and the appearance of symptoms, the incubation period, is 2-12 days. Most people average about 4 days.

• Duration of illness: Signs and symptoms will last 2-3 weeks. Fever, tiredness, muscle aches, and irritability may occur.
  • Pain, burning, tingling, or itching occurs at the infection site before the sores appear. Then clusters of blisters erupt. These blisters break down rapidly and, when seen, appear as tiny, shallow, gray ulcers on a red base. A few days later, they become crusted or scabbed and appear drier and more yellow
  • Oral sores: The most intense pain caused by these sores occurs at the onset and make eating and drinking difficult.
    • The sores may occur on the lips, the gums, the front of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the throat, and the roof of the mouth.
    • They may also extend down the chin and neck.
    • The gums may become mildly swollen and red and may bleed.
    • Neck lymph nodes often swell and become painful.
    • In people in their teens and 20s, herpes may cause a painful throat with shallow ulcers and a grayish coating on the tonsils.

When to Seek Medical Care

When to call the doctor

• Because the sores are painful, you may have difficulty eating or drinking. To prevent dehydration, call your doctor as soon as you cannot eat or drink.
• Call your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms, which suggest dehydration, occur:
  • A decrease in urination (fewer wet diapers in infants)
  • Drowsiness
  • Irritability
  • Dry mouth
• Call your doctor if you or your children are not sure what the sores are.
• If your child is younger than 8 weeks, notify your doctor when sores appear. Severe infection or disease complications occur more commonly in infants. For instance, besides affecting the mouth, the herpes simplex virus may go to the brain and produce damage.
• People whose immune systems are weakened should also call their doctor when sores appear. Your immune system protects you from infection or fights infection. If your system is weakened, you are more likely to have severe infection or disease complication.

When to go to the hospital

Signs and symptoms of dehydration may warrant going to a hospital’s emergency department.

Exams and Tests

A doctor will base a diagnosis on information you provide and on physical examination. The characteristic appearance of the herpes sores leaves little doubt. Further testing is usually not necessary.

If you require a definitive diagnosis, for instance, if your infection involves other organ systems, the doctor may conduct laboratory tests.

• A sample from the sores to identify the virus
• A culture analysis
• A staining test called the Tzanck smear
• Antigen and antibody studies
• Blood sampling for antibody studies

Oral Herpes Treatment Self-Care at Home

Medical Treatment

Treatment includes medication for fever and taking plenty of fluids.

• A topical anesthetic such as viscous lidocaine (Dilocaine, Nervocaine, Xylocaine, Zilactin-L) may be prescribed to relieve pain.
• Oral or IV medication does exist for herpes but is not recommended for people with a normal immune system. It is used only for people with weakened immune systems, infants younger than 6 weeks, or people with severe disease.
• Some people may require hospital admission:
  • Those with severe local infection
  • People whose infection has spread to other organ systems
  • People with weakened immune systems
  • Dehydrated individuals who need IV hydration
  • Infants younger than 6 weeks

Next Steps Follow-up

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Use pain medications as instructed by the doctor.
• Use medications to control fever.
• Watch for signs and symptoms of dehydration.

Prevention

Avoid touching saliva, skin, or mucous membranes that have sores.

Outlook

The sores and symptoms of oral herpes completely clear up in 2-3 weeks. But the sores may reappear under certain stressful situations.

Multimedia

Media file 1: Oral Herpes. Clusters of blisters erupt on the lips, tongue, and inside the mouth. Most people have been infected by at least 1 herpes subtype before adulthood.

Synonyms and Keywords

herpes labialis, herpes gingivostomatitis, herpes pharyngitis, cold sores, fever blisters, herpes simplex virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes-1, herpes simplex virus, type 2 or herpes-2, herpes blister, oral blister, oral herpes

Cold Sores (for Parents) – Nemours Kidshealth

What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sores are small painful blisters that can appear around the mouth, face, or nose. Cold sores (or fever blisters) are very common. They usually go away on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Cold Sores?

Cold sores first form blisters on the lips, around the mouth, and sometimes inside the mouth. The blisters then become sores, which can make eating painful. They’re filled with fluid, but crust over and form a scab before they go away.

Sometimes the virus causes redness and swelling of the gums, fever, muscle aches, a generally ill feeling, and swollen neck glands.

After a child first gets HSV-1, the virus can lie quietly in the body without causing any symptoms. But it can wake up again later from things like:

When the virus reactivates, it can cause tingling and numbness around the mouth before blisters appear.

What Causes Cold Sores?

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes cold sores. This is a different

virusfrom herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 causes lesions in the genital area called genital herpes. Even though HSV-1 typically causes sores around the mouth and HSV-2 causes genital sores, these viruses can cause sores in either place.

How Do Kids Get Cold Sores?

Kids can get HSV-1 by kissing or touching a person with cold sores, or by sharing eating utensils, towels, or other items with an infected person. Many kids get infected with HSV-1 during the preschool years.

How Are Cold Sores Treated?

Cold sores usually go away in about 1 to 2 weeks. No medicines can make the virus go away, but some treatments can help make cold sores less painful and not last as long:

• Cold compresses can help with discomfort.
• Prescription or over-the-counter treatments are sometimes recommended by the doctor.
• Cool foods and drinks can help make kids more comfortable.
• Giving acetaminophen may ease pain. Don’t give aspirin to kids with viral infections, as it’s linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor if your child:

• is younger than 6 months old and gets a cold sore
• has a weakened immune system, which could allow the HSV infection to spread and cause problems in other parts of the body
• has sores that don’t heal by themselves within 2 weeks
• has any sores near the eyes or irritation of the eyes
• gets cold sores a lot

Can Cold Sores Be Prevented?

The virus that causes cold sores is very contagious. To help prevent it from spreading to others, anyone with a cold sore should:

• Keep their drinking glasses and eating utensils, as well as washcloths and towels, separate from those used by other family members and wash these items well after use.
• Not kiss others until the sores heal.
• Wash their hands well and often, especially after touching a cold sore.

They also should try not to touch their eyes. If HSV infects the eyes, it can be very serious.

If you’re caring for a child with a cold sore, wash your hands often so that you don’t get the virus or spread it to others.

How Can I Get Rid of Cold Sores Quickly?

They’re painful. They’re unsightly. They’re annoying. Cold sores (aka fever blisters) are just plain unwelcome. When one pops up on your lip or mouth, you probably immediately think: What’s the fastest way to get rid of this thing?

“Herpes simplex virus — the virus that causes cold sores — is incredibly contagious, and infection with the virus is really common,” says Dr. Donald Brown, primary care practitioner at Houston Methodist. “In fact, more than 50% of adults in the U.S. are infected with the type of herpes virus that most commonly causes cold sores. Interestingly, however, most people who contract the virus never actually develop symptoms.”

If the virus does cause cold sores, it can spread from person-to-person through close contact, like kissing. But, while you may not know it, the virus can also spread by sharing:

• Cosmetics
• Food and drink
• Lip balm
• Razors
• Toothbrushes
• Towels
• Utensils and drinking glasses

“The virus is most contagious when a cold sore is present, particularly when the blister begins to ooze,” Dr. Brown adds. “However, it’s important to know that you can still spread the virus long after a cold sore heals — as well as when a blister isn’t even present.”

For those who are no stranger to those painful, fluid-filled blisters, when you get a cold sore, you probably want it gone — fast.

What are the best ways to get rid of a cold sore?

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for cold sores, and it can take between two to four weeks for a cold sore to heal on its own. But, there are things you can do to make them go away faster.

Here are three things that can help soothe a cold sore or make it clear up faster:

1. Try home remedies. When used early, there are several remedies that can help ease the pain and reduce swelling — and may even shorten the duration of a cold sore:

• Cold, damp washcloth
• Ice or cold compress
• Petroleum jelly
• Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen

2. Apply topical creams and ointments. There are a few over-the-counter anesthetic ointments and creams that can help control pain, such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Some products, such as those containing docosanol or benzyl alcohol, may even promote faster healing when used early and in plentiful amounts.

3. Take prescription medications. There are antiviral drugs that can help cold sores heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir. If you’re having frequent outbreaks or experiencing some of the serious side effects of having a cold sore, your doctor may consider prescribing antiviral medication.

“To get rid of a cold sore quickly, the best thing you can do is start treating it as soon as possible,” says Dr. Brown. “A burning or tingling sensation on your lips or face can be an early warning sign that a cold sore is developing, and the earlier you start reducing swelling and treating the cold sore, the faster it will heal.”

How can I stop cold sores from forming?

So you nipped your last cold sore flare-up in the bud (like a champ), and it lasted less than a week — but here you are, just a few months later, and the cold sores are back. There’s good news, and then there’s bad news. Let’s start with the bad news.

“Once a person is infected with herpes simplex virus, he or she is infected for life,” says Dr. Brown. “After a cold sore heals, the virus isn’t actually cleared from your body. Instead, the virus travels back into your nerves, where it can lie dormant for long periods of time. When the virus reemerges, it typically does so in the same spot as before.”

So what triggers the virus to reactivate and cause a flare-up?

Dr. Brown says that a cold sore outbreak can be triggered by:

• Fever
• Illness, including a cold
• Menstruation
• Stress
• Sunlight
• Weakened immune system

But, here’s the good news. While there’s not much you can do about some of these triggers, others can be avoided.

“Stress can weaken your immune system, which may be a trigger for cold sores to reemerge. If you suffer from cold sores and think they may be caused by stress, it’s a good idea to manage your stress via mediation or other relaxation techniques,” suggests Dr. Brown. “If you’ve noticed that your flare-ups are linked to sunlight, be sure to apply sunscreen or sun-protective lip balm before going out in the sun. “

Cold sores – causes, symptoms and treatment

On this page

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are small blister-like spots that appear in or around the outside of the mouth and are caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus. There is no cure for cold sores, but there are ways to treat the symptoms and prevent new outbreaks.

What are the symptoms of cold sores?

Cold sores start with an itchy and tingling sensation usually on the mouth, lips or nose and may form small blisters that crust after 3 days.

Cold sores usually clear up after 2 weeks without leaving any scars. They can be highly contagious, even when the blisters aren’t present. The virus can spread between people by direct physical contact, such as kissing, skin-to-skin contact and sharing drink containers, eating utensils, towels or toothbrushes with someone who already has a cold sore.

As well as a blister-like spot, the following symptoms are also common:

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the mouth problems Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes cold sores?

There are 2 types of herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Herpes simplex virus type 2 causes most cases of genital herpes. However, both viruses can cause either cold sores or genital herpes.

About 80 per cent of adults are infected with HSV-1. Most people are infected when they are young and the infection lasts for life. However, the virus can remain dormant (inactive) in many people, meaning that cold sores may never appear.

Various factors can cause the virus to become active resulting in one or more cold sores. They can include:

• tiredness and fatigue
• a break in the skin near the affected area
• periods (menstruation)
• emotional upset or stress
• strong sunlight, cold or wind
• alcohol
• colds, flu or fevers that make the body less able to fight off infection

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.

It’s 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 aren’t sure you have a cold sore
• the cold sore isn’t 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.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use our Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How are cold sores treated?

Medications

Antiviral creams or ointments such as aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir should be used in the first few days of a cold sore outbreak when a tingling sensation or a raised sore or blister is first noticed. These are available without prescription from pharmacies and other shops and supermarkets.

A single dose of antiviral tablets is also available from your pharmacist without a prescription. Talk to your pharmacist to see if they are right for you.

Your pharmacist may also recommend products to treat the short-term symptoms of a cold sore. Povidone-iodine ointments (commonly known as Betadine) may reduce symptoms in some people.

If you are in pain, paracetamol may be helpful. Alternatively, get advice from your doctor on medicines you can take.

If you have frequent severe cold sores, your doctor may prescribe an oral antiviral medicine to stop the virus from reactivating.

Complementary medicines

Some complementary medicines have been promoted as preventing cold sores. One of these products is an amino acid called lysine — but there is no evidence that it is effective.

Self-help

If you have a cold sore there are several things you can do to help manage the condition.

• Creams and ointments should be gently dabbed on to the cold sore rather than rubbed on.
• Ice can be soothing.
• Lip balms, including petroleum jelly, may help if your cold sore is painful or dry. They may also help to prevent the cold sore from cracking once it has crusted over.
• If brushing your teeth is too painful, try using an antiseptic mouthwash instead.
• If the cold sores are around your mouth, try to eat soft foods, but avoid anything salty or acidic (such as lemons) that may irritate your cold sore.
• Avoid close contact with babies and infants.
• Try not to lick, poke or pick at the area.
• Keep the cold sore dry and clean.

Can cold sores be prevented?

There are steps you can take to prevent spreading cold sores to others if you have them:

• Avoid any direct physical contact with other people, particularly kissing or intimate sexual activities such as oral sex.
• Always wash your hands if you touch the affected area.
• Try not to share things like cups, cutlery, towels, toothbrushes, razors, flannels and cold sore creams with anyone else.
• Try not to pick at a cold sore as this can lead to further infection and/or scarring.

There are also ways to prevent spreading cold sores from erupting again:

• Try to avoid your triggers. Triggers are different for different people but can include things like a cold (flu), sunlight, very windy conditions, emotional or physical stress and hormonal changes.
• Take care of your general health — avoid getting run down and overly stressed.

Complications of cold sores

For most people, cold sores get better in time with over-the-counter treatments and self-care. However, for people with weakened immune systems, cold sores can be more severe and spread more widely.

Uncommon complications of cold sores include:

• bacterial infections — where the cold sore is crusty and has pus
• cold sores that spread to the eyes — see your doctor immediately since this can lead to eye damage

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90,000 Herpes In the Mouth On the Lip Tongue How to Treat LumiDent

What does herpes look like in the mouth?

Many people wonder whether there is herpes on the oral mucosa in general, since such a manifestation of the virus is less common than the notorious “cold sore on the lips” in the form of a rash in the mouth and blisters on the skin.

However, numerous photos of herpes in the mouth of different types indicate that this stomatitis is common among adults and children with weakened immunity.

If you are wondering what herpes looks like on the tongue, then the infection manifests itself in the form of small formations localized in the oral cavity.

After a few days, the rash bursts and the vesicles turn into small, crusty sores in the mouth that cause burning and itching.

The severity of signs of viral stomatitis depends on the stage, in most cases the unpleasant symptoms completely disappear within a maximum of two weeks.

Those who have a causative agent in their blood know firsthand what herpes looks like in the mouth, but is there a way to reduce the number of relapses?

Photo. What does herpes look like on the inside of the lip.

Classification and main symptoms of herpes

Herpes in the mouth is more common in a child than in an adult, so the disease is considered “childhood”.

It affects babies from the age of two, and during the first year of life, maternal antibodies are retained in the body, protecting against the symptoms of herpes in the mouth.

Herpes on the oral mucosa is of two types: acute and chronic, in addition, doctors distinguish three forms: mild, moderate and severe, depending on the presence of cumulative signs, the degree of deterioration of the patient’s condition and the area of ​​the lesion.

When symptoms of herpes appear in the child’s tongue, it is necessary to immediately begin treatment so that the disease does not turn into a chronic form, characterized by periodic relapses against a background of weakened immunity.

Signs of herpes in the mouth include fever, chronic fatigue syndrome, swollen lymph nodes, redness and swelling of the affected area on the mucous membrane, red rash, itching, pain when chewing food.

Photo. Colds, herpes on the tongue.

Ways of infection with oral herpes

The mechanism of transmission of the virus involves airborne and contact methods of infection.

Infection enters the body through kissing or any other contact with the patient’s skin, as well as as a result of poor hygiene.

For example, if you use one towel or shared utensils, which is one of the most common causes of herpes on the tongue.

Once in the blood, the virus uses the trigeminal nerve to get to the accumulation of nerve cells.

The causative agent may not manifest itself for a long time until a certain moment, then characteristic rashes of herpes appear on the tongue of an adult or child.

People with an acute herpes infection in the throat or blisters on the lips should separate their dishes and use strictly individual utensils, especially if there are children in the house, who often have a more severe process with complications.

Photo. What does a cold on the lip look like?

Causes of herpes in the mouth

The reasons for the appearance of herpes on the tongue include the following: the influence of stress, colds, natural irritants such as wind, cold or direct sunlight, lack of sleep, immunosuppression.

Many people are interested in the question of whether there can be herpes on the tongue, and how to distinguish it from stomatitis.

It is not required to take tests and undergo diagnostics, since the main differences are visible immediately: stomatitis affects cells on the mucous membrane of the cheeks and the inner surface of the lips, while more often you can find herpes at the root of the tongue, tip of the tongue, gums and palate.

The second difference between the two diseases lies in how ulcers are formed: herpetic stomatitis begins immediately with them, and in the second case, rashes appear on the mucous membrane, which eventually open up.

If you find the manifestations of the virus, you need to know which doctor treats herpes in the mouth.

In this case, this is the competence of the dentist, so do not hesitate to contact one of the Lumi-Dent dental clinics for help.

Photo.The location of the herpes on the palate.

Herpes in children

Infection often manifests itself on the mucous membrane, because children have not yet developed strong immunity.

In addition, they often take toys, unwashed vegetables, fruits and other objects into their mouths, so the issue of treating herpes on the tongue is the most common concern for parents.

The rash can be caused by infection with measles or stomatitis, so seek medical advice if blisters appear.

Diagnostics includes the following components:

• collection of anamnesis;
• examination by a dentist;
• biopsy;
• taking a smear;
• laboratory tests.

Parents need to know for sure how and how to treat herpes in a child’s mouth, so as not to face the dire consequences of improper therapy.

Self-medication is not recommended, especially when it comes to childhood herpes in the mouth.

There is a high risk of “curing” the disease, because of which it will turn into a latent (chronic) form and will make itself felt almost with every mild cold.

Photo. Pediatric dentist in the process of examining a patient, Lumi-Dent dentistry.

How to treat herpes on the oral mucosa

The question of how to treat herpes blisters in the mouth is not difficult, since a large number of various topical antiviral drugs are sold in pharmacies.

For example, “Zovirax”, “Megosin”, “Famvir”, “Valtrex”, “Gerpevir”, “Acyclovir” show high efficiency for herpes in the mouth.

These are the most common and affordable remedies than to treat herpes on the tongue at home.

To normalize the protective functions of the body, doctors recommend taking medications from the group of immunostimulants, and Ibuprofen or Acetatminophen helps to cope with swelling and itching, but it is not recommended to use them uncontrollably.

If herpes on the gums, for example, is accompanied by purulent discharge, antibiotics are prescribed in order to stop the extensive multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms.

In this case, it is absolutely impossible to self-medicate – visit the dentist as soon as possible.

Photo. Herpes on the inside of the lip.

Traditional methods of treating herpes at home

Non-pharmacological agents are often used to treat infections at the tip or root of the tongue, gum, or palate, but they are not clinically proven to be effective for some people.

The most popular folk methods for treating herpes on the tongue and mucous membrane:

• Apply milk with at least 1.5% fat content on the blisters with a cotton swab every 2-3 hours.
• Grind the licorice root, add a little boiled water to the powder and spread the gruel over the rash areas before going to bed.
• Crush a clove of garlic and apply the mixture to the affected area.

Correctly selected pharmacy medicine for herpes in the mouth will relieve you of the problem much faster and more effectively.

Ointment and medications are guaranteed to help you successfully treat herpes in the mouth, and to avoid the transition of the disease into a chronic form.

While folk recipes for colds may not help at all, or have too little effect.

Photo. Colds on the tongue.

What needs to be done to prevent herpes in the mouth

Herpes on the tip of the tongue causes severe discomfort and deterioration of the general condition due to infection and symptoms accompanying the disease.

Prevention is always easier than treating herpes on the lip, so treat colds in a timely manner, strengthen the immune system, avoid oral injuries, use hygienic lipstick.

In order to minimize the risk of subsequent relapses of internal herpes in the mouth, which are inevitable if you have already had characteristic rashes, it is advisable to give an injection with a vaccine.

It is easy to catch viral herpes in the mouth with characteristic unpleasant symptoms, so do not kiss someone with a cold sore.

Photo. Herpes inside the lip.

If you find out your situation in the photo of herpes in the oral cavity, we recommend that you consult a doctor.

Specialists of the network of dental clinics Lumi-Dent in Kiev will conduct an examination and prescribe effective treatment for an adult or small patient.

More information about the disease can be found on Wikipedia.

Herpes: symptoms and treatment, doctor’s recommendations

Almost everyone is familiar with the “cold” on the lips.As soon as you catch a runny nose or get nervous, an unpleasant precursor immediately appears – a tingling sensation somewhere near the mouth.

Herpes simplex virus is present in 95% of people. And only a few have immunity, the reasons for which are still unclear.

The virus enters the body in early childhood: at 3 – 4 years old, when the antibodies against the herpes virus transmitted to the baby by the mother are depleted. Most often, infection occurs if the carrier of the infection kisses the child.In addition to kissing, the virus can enter the body, for example, with saliva. It penetrates into the mucous membranes, reaches the nerve endings, rises into the cranial cavity, where it “hides” in the nerve plexus, called the trigeminal ganglion, and “sleeps” there until the moment of reactivation.

Herpes “wakes up” with a decrease in immunity

Reasons for relapses of herpes on the lips: stress or emotional distress; various other diseases, in particular colds, flu, diabetes mellitus, HIV; poisoning or intoxication; drinking alcohol, caffeine and smoking; excessive ultraviolet radiation; hypothermia or overheating; the onset of menstruation; overwork and exhaustion; undernutrition / diet or indigestion; other individual factors.

Once “awakened”, the virus travels back to the skin. When traveling through a nerve, the virus causes inflammation of the nerve tissue.

The development of herpes can be roughly divided into several stages. At the first stage, the person is feeling unwell. In the place where the “fever” appears, pain, tingling appears., The skin turns red. At the stage of inflammation, a small painful blister is formed, filled with fluid. After a while, the bubble bursts and a colorless liquid containing billions of viral particles flows out of it.A sore appears in its place. At the final stage, the sore is covered with a crust.

Most often, herpes appears on the lips, but lesions can also appear on the face, in the ears, or in the mouth.

What to do if you have a “cold” on your lips

At the moment, no medicines and treatment methods have been developed that would completely destroy the herpes simplex virus in the human body.But you can give a few tips for herpes sufferers.

• Strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene! Because cold sores are contagious, you should wash your hands with soap, and use separate dishes and a towel.

• Do not put your hands to your eyes! And don’t wet your lenses with saliva! Herpes can affect the mucous membranes of the eyes.

• It is not recommended to touch the viral rash, kiss.The virus can be transmitted by using one lipstick or smoking one cigarette.

• If you try to remove the blister or crust over the ulcer, the virus can spread to other parts of the body.

• Give up oral sex! The virus from the affected lips can cause genital herpes in a partner.

• A young mother also needs to take certain precautions to keep her baby free from getting herpes.If you have herpes sores, you should wash your hands with soap and water every time before touching the child. And in no case should the affected surface come into contact with the child’s skin.

How to minimize discomfort

It is necessary to start using anti-herpes drugs as soon as you feel a tingling sensation. Medicines will not rid you of the virus, but will stop its development and speed up recovery.There are drugs that prevent the development of the virus: tablets, ointments for external use, which help the healing of vesicles and ulcers, and reduce discomfort.

When applying the ointment, use cotton swabs to avoid the transmission of the virus from the lips to the skin of the fingers.

Herpes requires the attention of specialists! A “cold” on the lips can be a symptom of serious diseases: a sharp decrease in immunity, cancer, HIV infection.

If you suffer from recurrent herpes, see your doctor. The specialist will not only save you from unnecessary worries and exclude health risks, but will also help you choose a comprehensive program for the prevention and treatment of herpes.

To make an appointment with an immunologist or dermatologist for the program for the diagnosis and treatment of herpes, call the Family Doctor clinic +7 (495) 775 75 66 (clinic working hours: Mon-Fri from 8.00 to 21.00, Sat-Sun from 9.00 to 20.00), or make an appointment and diagnosis through the on-line registration form

Herpetic stomatitis

Herpetic stomatitis

Very often, parents cannot understand why the child has a fever? Why is he naughty and refuses to eat?

One of the reasons for this behavior may be herpetic stomatitis (stomatitis herpetica) clinical form of herpes simplex, characterized by a rash on the oral mucosa of vesicles that burst with the formation of erosions.

It most often occurs in children from one to three years of age. By the age of one year, the innate supply of antibodies in the baby’s body is exhausted, and the acquired immunity cannot always resist the virus. Among older children, the incidence is significantly lower due to acquired immunity after suffering herpes infection in its various clinical manifestations.

The herpes virus is transmitted by airborne droplets or by contact. The penetration of the virus into the cell is facilitated if there is physical damage on the mucous membrane (due to injury from the nipple, toys, hands, solid food, candy).

With herpetic stomatitis, a rash appears on the mucous membrane. It is usually localized in one place. In a mild form, the mucous membranes first become brightly colored. Gradually, they transform into bubbles (5-6 pieces), which soon burst. In place of the bursting bubbles, ulcers (erosion) are formed. When they acquire a marble color, we can talk about the extinction of the disease. At the time of the formation of a rash, the child’s body temperature may rise to 37.5 degrees.

A severe form of stomatitis is accompanied by a rise in temperature to 38-39 degrees, general drowsiness and weakness, and decreased appetite. The amount of rash increases to 20 elements. They can merge with each other, forming foci. Sometimes they extend to the outer membranes of the lips and face.

The severity of acute herpetic stomatitis is assessed by the severity and damage to the oral mucosa. The development of the disease goes through five periods: incubation, prodromal, the period of development of the disease, extinction and clinical recovery.

Acute herpetic stomatitis is treated, regardless of the patient’s age, with a combination of antiviral therapy (drugs based on acyclovir) and elimination of pain symptoms of stomatitis. The oral mucosa should be regularly cleaned of necrotic plaque by rinsing with antiseptic solutions. When rinsing, pathogenic agents are washed out from the oral cavity. To cleanse the mouth of babies, use a cotton swab, which is moistened in a decoction of medicinal herbs. If the disease in children is difficult, then stomatitis treatment is carried out in a hospital setting.For a speedy recovery and prevention of relapse of the disease, vitamins and drugs are prescribed that stimulate the immune system. In addition to the drug treatment of herpetic stomatitis, the patient’s condition can be alleviated by drinking plenty of fluids, excluding fried and spicy foods from the diet, giving up bad habits, etc.

Material prepared by:

dentist Simanova O.N.

90,000 All about mouth ulcers – causes, treatment, prevention

Mouth ulcers are quite common, but with normal immunity, they usually do not reach impressive sizes.The most common ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa is stomatitis. These are many well-known white sores in the mouth, which cause severe pain and burning sensation when eating. In addition, many types of bacteria and viruses can cause mouth ulcers. Treatment of ulcers is carried out after finding out the cause of their appearance and the causative agent. The list below lists the diseases that cause ulcers, in order of decreasing prevalence.

The most common types of mouth ulcers

1. Aphthous stomatitis (recurrent form) – characterized by regular rashes of one or more small white ulcers on the oral mucosa.They can be located on the palate, cheeks, mucous membrane of the lips and tongue (except for the gums). Healing of rashes takes place within 7 days, and their regularity ranges from once a month to twice a year (seasonal exacerbations).
2. Hypertyform stomatitis is a large number of herpes-like sores. They are located in islands on the lower surface of the tongue and the floor of the mouth.
3. Candidiasis (thrush) can also cause ulcers covered with a whitish film. More common in children or immunocompromised people
4. Traumatic ulcer or erosion – occurs due to damage to the mucous membrane.With continued trauma, the ulcer expands and becomes persistent. It occurs after trauma with dental instruments, a hard toothbrush, biting the tongue or cheek, sometimes from smoking (on the lips).
5. Necrotizing gingivostomatitis is an acute and dangerous viral disease characterized by ulcers with a greenish coating and bleeding bottom. Gum tissue swells and bleeds. Ulcers are most often localized on the inner surface of the cheeks, palatine arch and tonsils. There is a sharp unpleasant odor from the mouth.
6. Zayed – ulceration in the corners of the mouth. They occur with an incorrect bite due to the accumulation of saliva and bacteria, with a lack of vitamins, as well as with immunodeficiency.
7. Prosthetic ulcers – appear with improper selection of a prosthesis or poor care for it.

General diseases

Ulcers in the mouth can be a symptom of serious general diseases of the body. Most often these are tuberculosis, syphilis and HIV. If ulcers in tuberculosis and syphilis are immediately distinguishable by a specialist in their appearance, then with HIV common candidiasis or stomatitis often develops, quickly taking exaggerated forms with perforated ulcers or damage to bone tissue.It should be borne in mind that ulcers in severe diseases are large and deeply penetrating, so you should not suspect terrible things when small ulcers appear.

Mouth ulcer treatment

Ordinary stomatitis is easy to recognize on your own, but other types of ulcers require a visit to a specialist. The doctor conducts bacteriological examination, makes a differential diagnosis and prescribes the optimal treatment regimen depending on the cause. In case of chronic ulcers, measures are taken to generally strengthen the immune system, fortification and hardening.In addition, special treatment is prescribed, most often local, but in some cases – general. In advanced situations, surgery is performed.

Treatment of mouth ulcers caused by bacteria (tubercle bacillus, streptococci, etc.) is carried out using appropriate antibiotics. Traumatic ulcers disappear within a week if irritating factors are eliminated: a tooth fragment, smoking, a hard brush, hot, sour or spicy food, etc. Stomatitis is as common a chronic disease as sinusitis.At the moment, there is no treatment method that allows you to get rid of it once and for all. But alternative methods of treatment are quite effective. In case of ulceration of herpetic elements, treatment with antiviral drugs is effective.

Drug treatment

Depending on the pathogen, either antifungal drugs (Fluconazole, Ketoconazole) or antibacterial drugs (Ingalipt, Stomaidin, Chlorhexidine, etc.) are prescribed. Special creams and gels are used to relieve ulcers.Inside take vitamins of group B, vitamin C, as well as foods rich in phosphorus and iron. With tuberculosis or syphilis, general treatment with antibacterial drugs is carried out, with immunodeficiency – with antiviral drugs.

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90,000 what it looks like and how to treat herpes in the mouth

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Clinical
dentistry of the St. Petersburg Medical and Social Institute,
chief physician of the dental clinic “Alfa-Dent”St. Petersburg

About 90% of people in the world are infected with various strains of the herpes virus, according to statistics. Many adults and even children have encountered the so-called cold on the lips, which appears when immunity is reduced. Can herpes appear on the gums? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

Table of Contents

We will figure out how the disease manifests itself, how to distinguish it from stomatitis and other diseases in the management of dentistry, we will give recommendations on diagnosis, prevention, and drug treatment.

Why did herpes appear on the gum

For the virus to make itself felt, two things are enough: its presence in the blood and weakening of the immune system.

Infection occurs by airborne droplets, it can be transmitted from mother to child. Unfortunately, once you have contracted herpes, you cannot get rid of it. But you can prevent its activation.

So, after infection, the particles of the virus permanently settle in the body.Most of the time, the virus does not show up in any way. What factors trigger the manifestation of the virus on the gums? Stresses, including sharp nervous shocks, chronic depression and fatigue, colds, bacterial and viral diseases, hypothermia, autumn or spring hypovitaminosis. Acclimatization is a common reason for the appearance of “bubbles” characteristic of this disease. Do you know the situation when the disease manifests itself on vacation, when changing the time zone? Therefore, when planning trips, it is better to immediately stock up on antiviral drugs and ointments.

How to recognize herpes

The difficulty lies in the fact that the symptoms of herpes in the mouth can be easily confused with the manifestation of stomatitis and other diseases of the oral mucosa.

Differences:

• As a rule, stomatitis affects a larger area of ​​the oral mucosa compared to herpes;
• edema with herpes is less: with stomatitis, teeth marks may even remain on the mucous membrane of the cheeks;
• ulcers that form during stomatitis have more delineated boundaries;
• stomatitis often contributes to the appearance of a very dense plaque on the tongue; with herpes, this symptom does not appear;
• very often with stomatitis (especially purulent, with ulcers), the pain is more intense, they intensify when the disease spreads to a large area of ​​the mucous membrane.Painful aching, especially in ulcers, food intake is complicated, especially hard and hot.

Photo of herpes on the gum:

If you do not take action in time, a viral infection can complicate and take the form of herpetic stomatitis:

How to understand that the virus has activated? The first symptoms are tingling in the gums, itching and burning sensations. Then the color of the oral mucosa may change, unpleasant swelling appears locally, then a bright red rash appears, and the last stage is the formation of characteristic “bubbles” with liquid.With the development of the disease, the pain sensations increase. By the appearance of bubbles (they are called vesicles), the pain becomes cutting, its intensity increases with food intake, hot drinks.

Vesicles are dropsy filled with fluid with a high concentration of the virus. Their sizes increase over time and can reach from 1 mm to 1 cm in diameter. At some point, they burst, leaving a painful wound. If an infectious infection occurs, the wound becomes covered with a yellow crust, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity is affected more and more, flowing into diffuse stomatitis.

External symptoms may include:

• increase in body temperature to 38 degrees;

90,089 chills;

• enlargement of lymph nodes in size;
• weakness, loss of strength;

90,089 headaches.

Such symptoms are more often manifested in children, with a severe course of the disease and the presence of an inflammatory process. In this case, you cannot do without consulting a doctor.

As a rule, the clinical picture of the disease is obvious. If the relapse does not occur for the first time, often the bubbles are localized in the same areas: on the inner surface of the cheeks, tongue, gums. Your doctor may order a swab from the mouth to rule out a fungal or bacterial infection.

There are several types of herpes. As a rule, viruses of 1 and 2 strains appear on the gums. The consequences can be serious, especially if action is not taken in time.If it was possible to extinguish the external manifestations of the infection, this is not a reason to refuse further treatment. First of all, you need to determine what type of herpes the patient is dealing with: PCR diagnostics will help in this. With herpes infection, you can turn to specialists such as an ENT specialist, an infectious disease specialist, an immunologist. They will help you choose a treatment regimen that will minimize the recurrence of the disease in the future.

Treatment of herpes on the gums

Once infected, it is, alas, impossible to get rid of the virus.Until medicine has come up with a method that will completely “cleanse” the blood from herpes. Therefore, therapy of the acute stage of the disease is reduced to taking antiviral drugs, and the rest of the time, general strengthening drugs are used to prevent relapses.

Antiviral drugs

Their goal is to suppress the pathogen, shorten the duration of exacerbation, and reduce the intensity of symptoms. The most popular products are Acyclovir and Zovirax in the form of tablets and creams.The use of the cream in the oral cavity is difficult, therefore the tablets are optimal. They drink them in a course.

It is better to start treatment at the first sign of illness. In some cases, it can be paused. Drops “Interferon” for the nose have also shown their effectiveness in the early stages of herpes. At the very least, they keep the infection from spreading to the respiratory tract.

We have already found out that the main reason for the manifestation of herpes is a weakening of the immune system.Conclusion: to avoid relapses, it is necessary to increase the body’s defenses. To do this, it is worth contacting an immunologist who will send you for diagnosis and prescribe an individual treatment. Sometimes it includes immunomodulators – drugs that can increase immunity (“Immunal”, “Imudon” and others), folk remedies (for example, tincture of echinacea), vitamin and mineral complexes. You can also take specialized complexes of vitamins and minerals, for example, ASEPTA® Parodontal to strengthen teeth and gums: its active ingredients help not only to reduce bleeding and inflammation in the oral cavity, but also to maintain general immunity.

General recommendations on how to strengthen the body and increase its protection:

• avoid stress, improve sleep;
• include in the diet as many fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs as possible;

90,089 drink plenty of water;

• exercise or swimming.

With an exacerbation of herpes on the gums, it is recommended to stick to a diet: remove spicy, fatty, too hot food from the diet, exclude hot and alcoholic beverages.In order not to irritate the mucous membrane, exclude smoking.

Difficulty using creams and ointments is not a reason to refuse local treatment for herpes. Rinsing and irrigating your mouth can help relieve symptoms and prevent the spread of infection. Good remedies: Hexoral, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide solution, furacilin, as well as analgesic sprays, rinsing solutions, anesthetic gels (for example, Lidoxor gel, which relieves burning and irritation). ASEPTA® adhesive gum balm is an effective combined antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum of action against causative agents of gum disease, thanks to the combination of metronidazole + chlorhexidine, and guarantees long-term fixation on the gums.

Expert opinion

Studies carried out at the Kazan State Academy have determined that the use of Asepta products (gels, balms, toothpastes, rinses) increases the effectiveness of the treatment of chronic catarrhal gingivitis and other inflammations, chronic periodontitis of mild and moderate severity, hyperesthesia of dental hard tissues, which in combination significantly reduces the duration of treatment and increases the duration of remission in this category of patients.

Sources:

1. Application of Asepta products in the complex treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases (N.V. Berezina E.N. Silantyeva S.M. Krivonos, Kazan State Medical Academy. Kazan.)
   N.V. BEREZINA, E. N. SILANT’EVA, S. M. KRIVONOS
   Kazan State Medical Academy

2. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sovremennye-lechebno-profilakticheskie-sredstva-dlya-individualnoy-gigieny-polosti-rta
   Silantyeva E.N., Berezina N.V., Krivonos S.M. Complex treatment of chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis using drugs of the Asepta line, Journal of Practical Medicine

3. Clinical and laboratory assessment of the effect of domestic therapeutic and prophylactic toothpaste based on plant extracts on the state of the oral cavity in patients with simple marginal gingivitis.
   Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Elovikova T.M. 1, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Associate Professor Ermishina E.Yu. 2, D.Sc. Associate Professor N. BelokonovaA. 2
   Department of Therapeutic Dentistry USMU1, Department of General Chemistry USMU2

4. Clinical studies of the Asepta Sensitive antisense toothpaste (AA Leontiev, OV Kalinina, SB Ulitovsky)
   A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist O.V. KALININA, dentist S. B. ULITOVSKY, MD, DSc, prof.
   Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, St. acad. I.P. Pavlova

5. The role of anti-inflammatory mouthwash in the treatment of periodontal disease (L.Yu. Orekhova, A.A. Leontiev, S.B. Ulitovsky)
   L.Yu. OREKHOVA, MD, DSc, Prof., Head of the Department; A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist; S. B. ULITOVSKY, MD, DSc, prof.
   Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, St. Petersburg State Medical University named after acad. I.P. Pavlova

6. Report on clinical trials of an anti-inflammatory adhesive “Asepta” gum balm, St. Petersburg State Medical University, 2007

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For an accurate diagnosis, contact a specialist.

Herpes on the lips: can teeth be treated?

Herpes on the lips: can teeth be treated?

Most of the world’s population are infected with the herpes virus and periodically face exacerbations of this disease. You have planned a visit to the dentist, but the day before, you found that “bubbles” appeared on your lips. What to do? Postpone the appointment or not?

Visiting the dental office is stressful for many people. And if the visit is not planned, but due to the fact that the teeth hurt, that is, there is inflammation and infection in the oral cavity, it is safe to say that at the moment immunity is reduced .These factors are enough to activate the herpes virus and cause a rash on the lip. Therefore, it is not uncommon for bubbles to appear just a day or two before visiting the dentist.

Most dentists refuse to admit patients who have been scheduled for treatment if they develop cold sores on their lips. But sometimes they don’t pay attention to this, they only use additional drugs to suppress the virus. What is the best way to proceed: postpone dental treatment for a few days or go to another dentist who agrees to work during this period? To make the right decision, you need to consider the possible consequences.

Possible consequences

Any competent doctor will not advise to carry out routine dental treatment during an exacerbation of herpes. For example, it is strictly forbidden to go to prosthetics or put implants.

What treatment of teeth with herpes can lead to:

1. An increase in the focus of rashes or the appearance of new bubbles.When teeth are treated, a filling is placed, tissues in the oral cavity are injured. This is an additional burden on the immune system, so it will suppress the activity of the virus even less.
2. Attachment of a secondary infection . It is known that the bubbles on the lips cannot be opened, but during dental manipulations they can be accidentally touched and the thin lining of the bubble will be broken. Everything is sterile in the doctor’s office, but you just accidentally touch an open sore with unwashed hands and bring in an additional infection.
3. Self-Infection . This is the main risk associated with a ban on dental treatment during an exacerbation. In many patients who ignored him, herpes infection after dental treatment spread through the oral cavity, deep into the gums, under dentures or implants. It is more difficult to cure rashes in such non-standard places, it is more expensive, it causes much more discomfort, sometimes you even have to remove your prostheses, carry out antiviral therapy, and then go back to prosthetics.
4. Infection of others . Instruments in the dental office are sterilized after each patient, many of them are generally disposable, so the risk of contamination of other patients is excluded. But the herpes virus is transmitted primarily through oral contact and causes oral herpes infection through contact with the virus in cold sores, saliva, and on surfaces in or around the mouth. The herpes virus can be transmitted through the surface of the mouth or skin that looks normal and has no symptoms.However, the risk of transmission is highest when active lesions are present.

But it still exists, so this should also be taken into account.

If rashes appear on the lips, it is best to call your doctor and postpone the appointment for a few days. During this time, you will need to undergo a course of anti-herpes therapy: drink a course of antiviral drugs and lubricate the ulcers with special ointments.

Exceptions

Those familiar with acute toothache understand that sometimes it is simply impossible to postpone a visit to the dentist even for a couple of days.What to do in such cases?

Symptoms of conditions that should be treated immediately:

– Severe pain that cannot be relieved by analgesics.

– A pronounced inflammatory process that spreads

– Acute trauma, for example, dislocated tooth or root fracture

If urgent medical intervention is necessary, it must be carried out. But at the same time, it is necessary to carry out prevention of possible undesirable consequences.

Rash after dental treatment

Sometimes the rash does not appear before visiting the dentist, but after it. Most often, people explain this to themselves by the fact that they contracted herpes in the office. But is it really so?

As mentioned earlier, any dentist who respects himself and his patients will sterilize instruments after each person and, if possible, use their disposable counterparts. Therefore, if you went to a good clinic to have your teeth treated, you have practically no chance of contracting herpes there.

Most often, the rash is not associated with infection, but by another exacerbation . Dental treatment and prosthetics are a burden on the immune system and a lot of stress, especially for those who are afraid of dentists. It should also be borne in mind that not everyone has symptoms the first time they come into contact with the virus, so even if the rash appears for the first time after a visit to the doctor, it can be caused by a virus that has long been present in the body.

Be attentive to yourself, your body and those around you!

Be healthy!

Herpes stomatitis treatment – BLOG of pediatric dentistry UtkinZub

You probably know that more than 90% (and according to some sources, all 98%) of the population of our planet are carriers of the herpes virus.Most live life and do not know about it, for some, the presence of herpes is manifested only by watery, quickly passing, sores on the lips with a cold.

But for some, this harmful virus can bring a lot of trouble – genital herpes, herpes zoster, postherpetic neuralgia and herpes stomatitis, which occurs in children as well. Children under 3 years of age are more likely to get sick, and acute herpetic stomatitis is more common in children . This is a rather serious disease that requires immediate medical intervention, since it is difficult, accompanied by a strong temperature – up to 40 °, which is dangerous for young children due to possible seizures and other complications.

Manifestation of herpes stomatitis

Parents are interested in how herpes in the mouth manifests itself, how to distinguish it from other inflammatory diseases and how to treat viral stomatitis . The disease begins with a catarrhal period, when bright red spots appear on the gums, the inside of the cheeks and lips, giving the child obvious discomfort, because it itches and tingles. If older children immediately draw the attention of parents to this pathology, then the kids simply become irritable, whiny, and stop eating.In children, the temperature rises almost immediately, therefore, the onset of herpes stomatitis is often mistaken for sore throat or ARVI and the moment of starting treatment for stomatitis is missed. A day later, whitish bubbles appear in place of the spots, which bursting turn into sores, very painful for the baby. At the same time, an increase in lymph nodes is often observed, there may be vomiting, dyspeptic symptoms – diarrhea, rumbling in the abdomen.

Treatment of herpes stomatitis

In the acute course of herpes stomatitis, hospitalization of the child is almost always indicated.If the course of the disease is mild, not accompanied by an increase in temperature, and other complications that only a doctor can determine, treatment at home is possible. In this case, the sick child should be isolated from other family members as much as possible so as not to infect them too. If is diagnosed with herpetic stomatitis in children, the treatment of has some peculiarities than with other types of stomatitis. Firstly, this is a local treatment – rinsing with antiseptic solutions (to prevent secondary infection of erosion) using a solution of pimafucin, sage or chamomile decoctions.Children over 1 year old can treat their mouth with propolis, which gives very good results.

How to quickly cure stomatitis in a child up to 1 year old – in the article “Treatment of stomatitis in infants.