A Guide to Oral Herpes

Research suggests that most people have been infected by one type of herpes before they reach adulthood. However, the fact that many people suffer from oral herpes does not make it any less embarrassing when those sores break out. Oral herpes can make people feel socially awkward. To tell the truth, though, herpes is not a particularly dangerous condition for adults.

The greatest problem with oral herpes is that it is such a contagious disease. It is transferred through mucous and saliva, so it is very easy to catch. Once oral herpes has been caught, it quickly results in sores and blisters around the lips, mouth and gums. These sores are often known as cold sores and they can be very painful. They can also be very unsightly and embarrassing. When these sores appear, this is the point at which the disease is most contagious.

The sores that appear around the mouth as a result of oral herpes do not usually last for more than a week. However, they can be very painful and can even result in sufferers finding it difficult to eat and drink because they are suffering such discomfort.

Once the sores have disappeared, the herpes virus is still present. In fact, it lodges in tissue in the spine where it can reproduce. This sounds like it could result in further symptoms. However, in many cases, it is no longer noticeable and the sores do not reappear. For other people, however, the sores which characterise oral herpes can reappear during times of stress, anxiety and worry.

For the most part, this is as bad as oral herpes gets. As mentioned above, it is not usually a dangerous condition and while the sores can be painful, they are more usually associates with a sense of feeling socially awkward and self-conscious.

So, is there anything that you can do to successfully treat oral herpes? For most people, the condition become something that they learn to live with over time. On occasions, however, you may wish to consult your doctor if the pain from your blisters and sores becomes very bad. Your doctor will be able to prescribe an analgesic to help you to manage the pain until the sores become less inflamed. Another alternative is to prescribe anti-viral drugs, which can help the cold sores to disappear more quickly.

For some people, the pain from their sores can be so bad that they find it difficult to eat and drink. One of the symptoms of this can be dehydration. If you feel dehydrated and weak, you should consult your doctor. On very rare occasions, oral herpes can result in sufferers feeling slightly feverish. Once again, if this is the case, consult your doctor.

If oral herpes cannot be treated, can it be prevented? As mentioned earlier in this article, oral herpes is highly contagious. Also, there is no vaccine currently available. Therefore, the only route to avoiding oral herpes is to avoid coming into close contact with individuals who have visible symtoms. If you have already contracted oral herpes, you may be able to talk to your doctor about ways that you can reduce stress so that the sores recur less frequently.

One area which may be of concern for parents is: what happens if your child catches oral herpes? If your child is less than six weeks old and you think that he or she may have oral herpes, then you should call your doctor immediately. Younger children have weaker immune systems and so can be more susceptible to the virus. In very rare cases, the virus can travel to the brain and affect the nervous system.

If you child is older and has developed the sores, then you should monitor them carefully. If they show signs of fever or of dehydration, then you should call your doctor.

Many adults find that their cold sores return when they are stressed, unhappy or anxious. Doctors do not know why this is. However, if you do find that your cold sores are returning regularly and that they are causing you a great deal of pain and discomfort, speak to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe anti-viral drugs which can help to suppress the outbreak of the virus.