Herpes labialis is an extremely common disease caused by infection of the mouth area with herpes simplex virus, most often type 1. Most Americans are infected with the type 1 virus by the age of The initial infection may cause no symptoms or mouth ulcers.
The virus remains in the nerve tissue of the face. In some people, the virus reactivates and produces recurrent cold sores that are usually in the same area, but are not serious. Herpes virus type 2 usually causes genital herpes and infection of babies at birth to infected mothers , but may also cause herpes labialis.
Herpes viruses are contagious. Contact may occur directly, or through contact with infected razors, towels, dishes, and other shared articles.
Occasionally, oral-to-genital contact may spread oral herpes to the genitals and vice versa. For this reason, people with active herpes lesions on or around the mouth or on the genitals should avoid oral sex. The first symptoms usually appear within 1 or 2 weeks—and as late as 3 weeks—after contact with an infected person.
The lesions of herpes labialis usually last for 7 to 10 days, then begin to resolve. The virus may become latent, residing in the nerve cells, with recurrence at or near the original site. Recurrence is usually milder. It may be triggered by menstruation, sun exposure, illness with fever, stress, or other unknown causes. Warning symptoms of itching, burning, increased sensitivity, or tingling sensation may occur about 2 days before lesions appear.
Diagnosis is made on the basis of the appearance or culture of the lesion. Examination may also show enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Untreated, the symptoms will generally subside in 1 to 2 weeks.
The blisters eventually open into sores, then dry out and heal. Most herpes outbreaks do not leave any permanent scarring. During your first herpes outbreak, you might also experience flu or cold-like symptoms.
For more information, see our guide to Jock Itch vs. Luckily, there are several ways to check whether or not you have herpes. The best and most obvious way is to talk to your doctor about herpes testing. Each testing method has strengths and weaknesses, meaning your doctor will recommend the best option for your symptoms and potential infection type.
This gives your immune system time to produce a large enough amount of antibodies for an accurate test result. Herpes is an extremely common virus.
HSV-1, the most common type of herpes, affects more than half of all people aged 50 and under. Our Valacyclovir guide goes into more detail about how you can treat and manage herpes using safe, affordable medication while enjoying a normal sexual and social life.
It generally takes anywhere from 4 to 7 days for herpes symptoms to appear. Both genital and oral herpes outbreaks have similar symptoms. The primary symptom of a herpes outbreak is sores that resemble blisters, called herpes lesions, on the mouth or genitals. Most of the symptoms that occur before an outbreak indicate that the virus is replicating. Symptoms are usually the worst during the first herpes outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , subsequent herpes outbreaks are usually not as severe, and many people become familiar with the signs and symptoms of an approaching outbreak.
If you have the herpes virus and your body has produced antibodies, it can be detected on a blood test, even if you have no symptoms. However, you can still spread the herpes virus to your sexual partners at any time, even if no sores are present.
If you have herpes, you can still take care of your sexual health through open communication and safer sex. Herpes simplex virus is common in the United States. Yes, you can contract oral herpes HSV-1 , aka cold sores, from kissing, but developing genital herpes HSV-2 this way is less likely. As many as 1 in 2 American adults have oral herpes, while an estimated 1 in 8 Americans ages 14 to 49 have genital herpes.
Most infections are…. There are two types of herpes: oral and genital. Find out what each type of herpes feels like. If you think you may have herpes, see a doctor as soon…. At-home STI testing kits are becoming increasingly popular.
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