What are the causes of oral herpes. How can you recognize the symptoms of cold sores. What treatments are available for herpes sores in the mouth. How does oral herpes spread from person to person. When should you seek medical attention for oral herpes symptoms. What are the long-term effects of recurring oral herpes outbreaks. How can you prevent the spread of oral herpes.

Understanding Oral Herpes: An In-Depth Look at HSV-1 Infection

Oral herpes, also known as herpes labialis, is a common viral infection affecting the mouth area. It’s primarily caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and manifests as small, painful blisters commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. These sores typically appear on the lips, gums, or inside the mouth, causing discomfort and potential embarrassment for those affected.

HSV-1 is incredibly prevalent, with most people in the United States becoming infected by the age of 20. Once contracted, the virus remains dormant in the facial nerve tissues, occasionally reactivating to cause outbreaks. While HSV-1 is the primary culprit behind oral herpes, it’s worth noting that herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which typically causes genital herpes, can also lead to oral herpes through oral-genital contact.

Transmission of Oral Herpes

The herpes virus spreads most easily during active outbreaks when sores are present. Transmission can occur through:

• Intimate or personal contact with an infected individual
• Touching an open herpes sore
• Contact with items that have been exposed to the virus (e.g., razors, towels, dishes)
• Regular daily activities between parents and children

Can oral herpes be transmitted without visible symptoms? Yes, although less common, asymptomatic shedding of the virus can still lead to transmission, even when no sores are present.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Herpes

The symptoms of oral herpes can vary from person to person, ranging from mild to severe. Initial contact with the HSV-1 virus may result in mouth ulcers for some individuals, while others may remain asymptomatic. Symptoms typically appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to the virus and can persist for up to 3 weeks.

Early Warning Signs

Before the appearance of visible blisters, individuals may experience:

• Itching of the lips or surrounding skin
• Burning sensation near the lips or mouth area
• Tingling near the lips or mouth

These prodromal symptoms often serve as an early warning sign of an impending outbreak.

Common Symptoms During an Outbreak

As the infection progresses, more noticeable symptoms may develop:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Swollen glands
• Painful swallowing
• Red blisters that break open and leak
• Small blisters filled with clear yellowish fluid
• Clusters of blisters that may merge into larger sores
• Yellow and crusty blisters during the healing phase

Do subsequent outbreaks differ from the initial infection? Generally, recurrent outbreaks tend to be milder and may not include systemic symptoms like fever or swollen glands.

Triggers and Risk Factors for Oral Herpes Outbreaks

While the herpes virus remains dormant in the body, certain factors can trigger its reactivation, leading to outbreaks. Common triggers include:

• Hormonal changes, including menstruation
• Exposure to sunlight or UV radiation
• Fever or illness
• Emotional or physical stress
• Weakened immune system
• Fatigue
• Certain foods or dietary deficiencies

Understanding these triggers can help individuals better manage their condition and potentially reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

Identifying High-Risk Populations

While anyone can contract oral herpes, certain groups may be at higher risk:

• Children between 1 and 5 years old
• Individuals with compromised immune systems
• People engaging in oral sex with HSV-2 positive partners
• Those in close physical contact with infected individuals

How can understanding risk factors help in prevention? By recognizing high-risk scenarios and populations, individuals can take appropriate precautions to minimize their chances of contracting or spreading the virus.

Diagnosis and Medical Evaluation of Oral Herpes

While experienced healthcare providers can often diagnose oral herpes through visual examination, additional tests may be necessary for confirmation or in atypical cases. Diagnostic methods may include:

• Viral culture: A sample from the sore is taken and tested for the presence of the virus
• Viral DNA test: Detects the genetic material of the herpes virus
• Tzanck test: Examines cells from the sore for changes characteristic of HSV infection

These tests not only confirm the diagnosis but can also help differentiate between HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections, which may influence treatment decisions.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many cases of oral herpes can be managed at home, certain situations warrant medical evaluation:

• Severe or prolonged symptoms lasting more than two weeks
• Frequent recurrences (more than six times per year)
• Spread of infection to other parts of the body
• Symptoms in individuals with weakened immune systems
• Ocular involvement or symptoms near the eyes

Prompt medical attention in these cases can help prevent complications and ensure appropriate treatment.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Oral Herpes

While there is no cure for oral herpes, various treatment options can help manage symptoms, reduce outbreak duration, and decrease the frequency of recurrences. Treatment approaches typically fall into two categories: symptomatic relief and antiviral therapy.

Symptomatic Relief

Over-the-counter options for managing discomfort include:

• Topical anesthetics containing benzyl alcohol or lidocaine
• Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Cold compresses to reduce swelling and promote healing
• Zinc oxide or petroleum jelly to protect sores and aid healing

Antiviral Medications

Prescription antiviral drugs are the cornerstone of oral herpes treatment. Common options include:

• Acyclovir
• Famciclovir
• Valacyclovir

These medications work by inhibiting viral replication, thereby reducing the severity and duration of outbreaks. They are most effective when started at the first sign of an outbreak, ideally during the prodromal phase.

Can antiviral medications prevent future outbreaks? Yes, for individuals with frequent recurrences, daily suppressive therapy with antiviral medications can significantly reduce the frequency of outbreaks and lower the risk of transmission.

Living with Oral Herpes: Management and Prevention Strategies

While oral herpes is a lifelong condition, adopting certain lifestyle changes and preventive measures can help manage the infection and reduce its impact on daily life.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Stress management through relaxation techniques, exercise, or meditation
• Maintaining a healthy diet rich in lysine and low in arginine
• Getting adequate sleep to support immune function
• Using sun protection to prevent UV-triggered outbreaks
• Avoiding known triggers specific to the individual

Preventing Transmission

To reduce the risk of spreading oral herpes:

• Avoid kissing or engaging in oral sex during active outbreaks
• Wash hands frequently, especially after touching the affected area
• Avoid sharing personal items like lip balm, utensils, or towels
• Consider using dental dams or condoms during oral sex

How effective are these preventive measures? While they can significantly reduce the risk of transmission, it’s important to note that asymptomatic viral shedding can still occur, making complete prevention challenging.

The Psychological Impact of Oral Herpes: Coping and Support

Living with oral herpes can have significant psychological effects, including feelings of shame, anxiety, and social isolation. Addressing these emotional aspects is crucial for overall well-being and quality of life.

Emotional Challenges

Common psychological issues faced by individuals with oral herpes include:

• Fear of rejection or judgment from partners or peers
• Anxiety about potential outbreaks in social or professional settings
• Feelings of guilt or shame associated with the stigma of herpes
• Depression or low self-esteem resulting from recurrent outbreaks

Coping Strategies and Support

To address these challenges, consider the following approaches:

• Educating oneself and others about oral herpes to dispel myths and reduce stigma
• Joining support groups or online communities for individuals with herpes
• Seeking counseling or therapy to address emotional concerns
• Practicing self-compassion and positive self-talk
• Being open and honest with partners about the condition

How can open communication about oral herpes benefit relationships? Honest discussions can foster trust, reduce anxiety, and allow for informed decision-making regarding intimacy and prevention strategies.

Emerging Research and Future Prospects in Oral Herpes Treatment

While current treatments for oral herpes focus on symptom management and outbreak suppression, ongoing research offers hope for more effective therapies and potential cures in the future.

Promising Areas of Research

• Gene editing techniques to eliminate latent herpes virus from nerve cells
• Development of therapeutic vaccines to boost immune response against HSV
• Novel antiviral compounds targeting different stages of the viral life cycle
• Immunomodulatory therapies to enhance natural defenses against HSV

Potential Future Treatments

Emerging approaches under investigation include:

• CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to disrupt viral DNA
• mRNA-based vaccines for both prevention and treatment
• Combination therapies targeting multiple aspects of viral replication
• Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for improved efficacy

What impact could these advancements have on oral herpes management? Successful development of these therapies could potentially lead to longer-lasting remissions, reduced transmission rates, and improved quality of life for individuals with oral herpes.

As research progresses, individuals living with oral herpes can look forward to potentially more effective and less burdensome treatment options in the coming years. However, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations and continue following current best practices for managing the condition.

Herpes – oral Information | Mount Sinai

Cold sore; Fever blister; Oral herpes simplex; Herpes labialis; Herpes simplex

Oral herpes is an infection of the lips, mouth, or gums due to the herpes simplex virus. It causes small, painful blisters commonly called cold sores or fever blisters. Oral herpes is also called herpes labialis.

This close-up view of an early herpes outbreak shows small, grouped blisters and a lot of redness.

Causes

Oral herpes is a common infection of the mouth area. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Most people in the United States are infected with this virus by age 20.

After the first infection, the virus goes to sleep (becomes dormant) in the nerve tissues in the face. Sometimes, the virus later wakes up (reactivates), causing cold sores.

Herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2) most often causes genital herpes. However, sometimes HSV-2 is spread to the mouth during oral sex, causing oral herpes.

Herpes viruses spread most easily from individuals with an active outbreak or sore. You can catch this virus if you:

• Have intimate or personal contact with someone who is infected
• Touch an open herpes sore or something that has been in contact with the herpes virus, such as infected razors, towels, dishes, and other shared items

Parents may spread the virus to their children during regular daily activities.

Symptoms

Some people get mouth ulcers when they first come into contact with HSV-1 virus. Others have no symptoms. Symptoms most often occur in kids between 1 and 5 years old.

Symptoms may be mild or severe. They most often appear within 1 to 3 weeks after you come into contact with the virus. They may last up to 3 weeks.

Warning symptoms include:

• Itching of the lips or skin around the mouth
• Burning near the lips or mouth area
• Tingling near the lips or mouth area

Before blisters appear, you may have:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Swollen glands
• Painful swallowing

Blisters or a rash may form on your:

• Gums
• Lips
• Mouth
• Throat

Many blisters are called an outbreak. You may have:

• Red blisters that break open and leak
• Small blisters filled with clear yellowish fluid
• Several smaller blisters that may grow together into a large blister
• Yellow and crusty blister as it heals, which eventually turns into pink skin

Symptoms may be triggered by:

• Menstruation or hormone changes
• Being out in the sun
• Fever
• Stress

If the symptoms return later, they are usually more mild in most cases.

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider can diagnose oral herpes by looking at your mouth area. Sometimes, a sample of the sore is taken and sent to a laboratory for closer examination. Tests may include:

• Viral culture
• Viral DNA test
• Tzanck test to check for HSV

Treatment

Symptoms may go away on their own without treatment in 1 to 2 weeks.

Your provider can prescribe medicines to fight the virus. This is called antiviral medicine. It can help reduce pain and make your symptoms go away sooner. Medicines used to treat mouth sores include:

• Acyclovir
• Famciclovir
• Valacyclovir

These medicines work best if you take them when you have warning signs of a mouth sore, before any blisters develop. If you get mouth sores frequently, you may need to take these medicines all the time.

• Antiviral skin creams may also be used. However, they are expensive and often only shorten the outbreak by a few hours to a day.

The following steps can also help make you feel better:

• Apply ice or a warm washcloth to the sores to help ease pain.
• Wash the blisters gently with germ-fighting (antiseptic) soap and water. This helps prevent spreading the virus to other body areas.
• Avoid hot beverages, spicy and salty foods, and citrus.
• Gargle with cool water or eat fruit-flavored ice pops.
• Rinse with salt water.
• Take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Outlook (Prognosis)

Oral herpes most often goes away by itself in 1 to 2 weeks. However, it may come back.

Herpes infection may be severe and dangerous if:

• It occurs in or near the eye.
• You have a weakened immune system due to certain diseases and medicines.

Possible Complications

Herpes infection of the eye is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It causes scarring of the cornea.

Other complications of oral herpes may include:

• Return of mouth sores and blisters
• Spread of the virus to other skin areas
• Bacterial skin infection
• Widespread body infection, which may be life threatening in people who have a weakened immune system due to atopic dermatitis, cancer, or HIV infection

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have:

• Symptoms that are severe or that don’t go away after 2 weeks
• Sores or blisters near your eyes
• Herpes symptoms and a weakened immune system due to certain diseases or medicines

Prevention

Here are some tips to prevent mouth sores:

• Apply sunblock or lip balm containing zinc oxide to your lips before you go outside.
• Apply a moisturizing balm to prevent the lips from becoming too dry.
• Avoid direct contact with herpes sores.
• Wash items such as towels and linens in boiling hot water after each use.
• Do not share utensils, straws, glasses, or other items if someone has oral herpes.

Do not have oral sex if you have oral herpes, especially if you have blisters. You can spread the virus to the genitals. Both oral and genital herpes viruses can sometimes be spread, even when you do not have mouth sores or blisters.

DinulosJGH. Warts, herpes simplex, and other viral infections. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif’sClinical Dermatology: A Color Guide in Diagnosis and Therapy. 7th ed.Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 12.

Schiffer JT,Corey L. Herpes simplex virus. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases.9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 135.

Whitley RJ,Gnann JW. Herpes simplex virus infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-CecilMedicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 350.

Last reviewed on: 7/19/2021

Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Cold sores – NHS

Cold sores are common and usually clear up on their own within 10 days. But there are things you can do to help ease the pain.

Check if it’s a cold sore

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

Over the next 48 hours:

Small fluid-filled blisters appear.

Credit:

SCIENCE SOURCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/257566/view

The blisters can appear anywhere on the face.

Credit:

PAN XUNBIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/479137/view

The blisters burst and crust over into a scab.

Credit:

C0473050, DR P. MARAZZI / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1051811/view/cold-sore-on-lip

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.

When it’s not a cold sore

How long cold sores are contagious

Cold sores are contagious from the moment you first feel tingling or other signs of a cold sore coming on to when the cold sore has completely healed.

A pharmacist can help with cold sores

A pharmacist can recommend:

• creams to ease pain and irritation
• antiviral creams to speed up healing time
• cold sore patches to protect the skin while it heals

You can buy electronic devices from pharmacies that treat cold sores with light or lasers.

Some people find these helpful, but there have not been many studies to confirm if they work.

Information:

If you regularly get cold sores, use antiviral creams as soon as you recognise the early tingling feeling. They do not always work after blisters appear.

Things you can do yourself

Cold sores take time to heal and they’re very contagious, especially when the blisters burst.

Important

Kissing a baby if you have a cold sore can lead to neonatal herpes, which is very dangerous to newborn babies.

Do

• eat cool, soft foods

• wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying cream

• avoid anything that triggers your cold sores

• use sunblock lip balm (SPF 15 or above) if you’re outside in the sun

• take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease pain and swelling (liquid paracetamol is available for children) – do not give aspirin to children under 16

• drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration

Don’t

• do not kiss anyone while you have a cold sore

• do not have oral sex until your cold sore completely heals as you could give your partner genital herpes

• do not touch your cold sore (apart from applying cream) – if you do wash your hands

• do not rub cream into the cold sore – dab it on instead

• do not eat acidic or salty food if it makes your cold sore feel worse

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• the cold sore has not started to heal within 10 days
• you’re worried about a cold sore or think it’s something else
• the cold sore is very large or painful
• you or your child also have swollen, painful gums and sores in the mouth (gingivostomatitis)
• you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes

Treatment from a GP

A GP may prescribe antiviral tablets if your cold sores are very large, painful or keep coming back.

Newborn babies, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system may be referred to hospital for advice or treatment.

Why cold sores come back

Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex.

Once you have the virus, it stays in your skin for the rest of your life. Sometimes it causes a cold sore.

Most people are exposed to the virus when they’re young after close skin to skin contact, such as kissing, with someone who has a cold sore.

It does not usually cause any symptoms until you’re older. You will not know if it’s in your skin unless you get a cold sore.

Page last reviewed: 20 July 2020
Next review due: 20 July 2023

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treatment, what it looks like (photo), causes

Contents

• Causes of the disease
• Symptoms and clinical picture
• How the diagnosis is made
• How to treat herpes in the mouth
• Disease prevention

The appearance of painful blisters on the lips is the first sign of the development of herpes. But not many people know that this disease is not limited to the localization of rashes only on the lips. The appearance of herpes in the mouth in adults requires the right approach to treatment. Consider what symptoms are characteristic of the disease, the most effective diagnostic methods and drugs that are used to eliminate the disease.

Causes of disease

The cause of herpes on the oral mucosa is the HSV virus (herpes simplex virus) type 1. In 10% of cases, it can cause complications. Herpes virus type 2 (genital) can be transmitted through sexual contact and also causes a rash in the mouth. It is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles that do not pose a serious danger to the patient’s life.

Among the most likely causes of herpes on the oral mucosa, experts call:

• surgical procedures;
• severe stress of emotional or physical etiology;
• colds that weaken the immune system;
• regular menses;
• beriberi;
• oncological neoplasms;
• HIV;
• pregnancy or lactation;
• chronic sleep deficit;
• physical fatigue caused by serious exertion;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• courses of chemotherapy;
• abuse of nicotine or alcohol;
• chronic diseases of various etiologies;

Long-term clinical studies have shown that oral herpes can be the result of various injuries. They are caused by careless dental procedures, excessive exposure to the sun or frost, etc.

Primary infection with herpesvirus occurs during childhood. After that, the virus is introduced into the human genome and a complete cure for this disease becomes impossible.

What is herpes simplex virus

Symptoms and clinical picture

Symptoms of herpes in the mouth in adults allow a specialist to make a preliminary diagnosis. In the future, it must be confirmed by laboratory studies. Among the most characteristic signs of infection are:

• foci of reddening of the oral mucosa;
• vesicles filled with clear exudate;
• sores formed at the site of vesicles;
• itching;
• burning;
• pain when eating;
• swelling of the lesion.

These symptoms are similar to those of stomatitis. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a differential diagnosis, which allows you to identify the presence of the herpes simplex virus in the oral cavity and begin timely treatment.

Forms of the disease

In addition to the characteristic symptoms of herpes in the mouth, there is a whole list of signs of general malaise. Manifestations of a herpes infection in the mouth directly depend on the stage of development of the disease. Experts distinguish three main forms:

A mild form of the disease occurs without any characteristic symptoms. The patient feels drowsiness, malaise. In some cases, there is a slight increase in body temperature. Careful examination reveals small wounds on the surface of the oral mucosa.

For a disease of moderate severity, a clear clinical picture is characteristic. It is accompanied by rashes in the form of bubbles, as well as a change in the blood picture. Timely access to a specialist after the first clinical signs appear allows you to diagnose the disease at an early stage and start a course of therapy.

Severe course of the disease. It is characterized by an increase in body temperature up to 39-400C, inflammation and an increase in the size of the cervical or submandibular lymph nodes. In a patient affected by herpes, a rash in the form of bubbles is clearly visible on the mucous membrane of the mouth. In severe cases, the patient’s condition deteriorates sharply, weakness, drowsiness, and muscle aches appear.

With herpes of the oral mucosa, a prerequisite for successful treatment is differential diagnosis. The disease can be confused with stomatitis, so careful laboratory testing is necessary.

What does herpes look like in the mouth – localization of the virus

The appearance of herpes in the mouth has a clear localization. It is a mistake to think that herpes occurs only on the lips. Clinical studies have shown that blisters can form throughout the mouth.

Herpes on the palate is characterized by the appearance of blisters, swelling, redness of the oral mucosa.

Herpes on the palate

1 2

On the inside of the cheek, the appearance of blisters is accompanied by itching and burning, pain when talking and facial expressions, as well as swelling and redness of the oral mucosa.

Herpes on the inside of the cheek

1 2

Herpes on the tongue is characterized by sores, pain and swelling. There is reddening of the mucosa and itching. The patient has a deterioration in diction.

Herpes on the tongue

1 2

For herpes on the gums, the classic symptoms are pain when chewing. The patient refuses to eat. Swelling and inflammation, itching or burning in the area of ​​​​the appearance of sores is pronounced.

Herpes on gums

1 2

If the rash is located on the tonsils or the surface of the pharynx, the clinical picture is similar to the symptoms of a sore throat. Therefore, differential diagnosis is also needed here to make a correct diagnosis.

Herpes in the throat

1 2

The development of the disease is characterized by 4 main stages:

1. Redness and swelling of the lesion. Most often, the patient does not attach importance to the first signs of malaise.
2. The appearance of bubbles filled with transparent contents. During this period, the patient is most contagious and is able to transmit the infection to healthy people from his environment.
3. The contents of the vials become cloudy. Then the papules are opened. Painful ulcers form in their place.
4. Gradually the sores become covered with crusts. After a few days, the crusts fall off. An attempt to independently remove the crusts leads to the formation of bleeding erosions. Healing in this case will be very long.

The most painful is the period when bubbles with cloudy exudate begin to burst. The classic term for the healing of ulcers is considered to be a period of 10-14 days. If after this period the signs of the disease have not disappeared, then this indicates the development of complications.

How the diagnosis is carried out

Diagnostic measures for the detection of herpes in the mouth include several stages:

conducting laboratory tests aimed at examining the patient’s blood – the purpose of this study is to identify the presence of antibodies to the pathogen in the blood.

Special attention deserves differential diagnosis, which is necessary for the correct diagnosis. It is necessary to distinguish herpes from stomatitis (not herpetic). Clinical studies have shown that there are certain differences between these pathological processes:

1. Localization. Herpes in the mouth is located in one place (tongue, cheeks, gums). Stomatitis is characterized by the simultaneous defeat of several zones.
2. Rash. After the opening of the herpetic vesicles, sores remain in their place, which gradually heal. With stomatitis, there are no bubbles, and sores appear on the mucous membrane immediately.
3. Kill zone. For a rash with herpes, the location of the bubbles near the bone structures is characteristic. Only then does it spread to soft tissues. Stomatitis, on the contrary, initially affects the lips, the inner surface of the cheeks.

It is important to understand that herpes in the mouth and stomatitis require a fundamentally different approach to treatment. Timely diagnosis will make the course of therapy as effective as possible.

Acute herpetic stomatitis is one of the dangerous types of stomatitis

How to treat herpes in the mouth

In the treatment of herpes in the mouth, the specialist adheres to several principles:

• stopping the spread of the virus;
• elimination of symptoms;
• relief of general well-being;
• use of topical medicinal products;
• strengthening the immune system.

Do not self-select drugs. This can lead to the development of complications or a deterioration in overall well-being.

How to treat herpes in the mouth of an adult – drug therapy

Treatment in an adult is carried out using modern herpes medicines. Good results are obtained by the use of complex therapy, which includes:

1. Antivirals. They allow you to stop the process of reproduction of the pathogen and transfer the disease into a latent form. Among the most famous are Valaciclovir and Famciclovir. For diseases of the oral cavity, Zovirax and Acyclovir tablets are used.
2. Pain syndrome can be eliminated by using a 2% solution of Lidocaine Hydrochloride. They should treat the oral cavity by rinsing for 3 minutes. Then the remnants of the funds must be spit out. Gels for topical application have proven themselves well. “Kalgel” or “Kamistad”.
3. Symptoms of general malaise are eliminated by a course of therapy, which includes Ibuprofen, Meloxicam and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
4. Blisters and sores should be treated with hydrogen peroxide and then smeared with Chlorophyllipt oil solution.
5. Strengthening the immune system is achieved by taking vitamins and mineral complexes.

To cure herpes during the period of illness, it is necessary to prevent the addition of a secondary bacterial infection. It can lead to the development of complications. After each meal, rinse the mouth with saline, Miramistin, Chlorhexidine and other antiseptics.

It does not make sense to use an ointment for herpesvirus based on Acyclovir or Panciclovir. The active components of the cream for herpes in the mouth are quickly washed off with saliva and the effectiveness of the treatment is reduced.

Treatment of the disease with the help of traditional medicine

In the treatment of herpes on the oral mucosa at home, you can use the methods of traditional medicine. They allow you to get rid of the symptoms and give a stable positive dynamics in the treatment.

Some of the best-known products include:

1. Infusion of lemon balm, chamomile and wormwood. The mixture must be poured with boiling water and insisted for 20 minutes. Strain, then rinse your mouth with warm solution.
2. In diseases of the oral cavity, the treatment of wounds and sores with aloe juice has proven itself.
3. If the virus is localized on the lips, it is effective to apply ice cubes or moisten the lesions with rubbing alcohol.

It is important to understand that traditional medicine should only be used in conjunction with a course of medicines. The patient must be under the supervision of a specialist.

Disease prevention

Experts remind you that it is almost impossible to completely avoid the recurrence of the disease. But taking the advice of doctors can significantly reduce the risk of relapse. The most effective preventive measures include:

1. Support of the immune system. It is achieved by taking vitamins, observing the regime of sleep and rest, walking and regular physical activity;
2. Monitoring the condition of the teeth. Visiting the dentist at least twice a year will reduce the risk of developing pathogenic microflora in the mouth;
3. Personal hygiene. It is important to keep clean not only the body, but also personal belongings.