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. 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: Parents may spread the virus to
their children during regular daily activities. SymptomsSome 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:
Before blisters appear, you may have:
Blisters or a rash may form on your:
Many blisters are called an outbreak. You may have:
Symptoms may be triggered by:
If the symptoms return later, they are usually more mild in most cases. Exams and TestsYour 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:
TreatmentSymptoms 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:
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.
The following steps can also help make you feel better:
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:
Possible ComplicationsHerpes 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:
When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalContact your provider if you have:
PreventionHere are some tips to prevent mouth sores:
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. ReferencesDinulosJGH. 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. Version InfoLast 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. Can you get a Coldsore on the inside of your mouth?Small fluid-filled blisters typically erupt along the border of your lips. Sometimes they appear around the nose or cheeks or inside the mouth. Oozing and crusting. The small blisters may merge and then burst, leaving shallow open sores that ooze and crust over.
How do you treat a cold sore inside your mouth?Cold sores can be treated with ointments, lip balms, and sunscreen. These treatments can help slow the spread of the virus and relieve your symptoms. Lip balms and sunscreens can even be used to prevent cold sores when you don't have them. If your sores are particularly painful, pain relievers can be used.
Why do I get cold sores in my mouth?Cold sores are sometimes called oral herpes because they are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus is very common and highly contagious. It spreads through saliva or close contact — often through kissing or by sharing utensils, straws, towels or lip balm with someone who has a cold sore.
What is the difference between canker sore and cold sore?Fever Blisters (also known as cold sores) are painful fluid-filled sores that form on the outside of the mouth around the lips. Fever blisters are very contagious. Canker Sores are painful white or yellow sores that only form inside the mouth, usually on the insides of the cheeks or lips or on the tongue.
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