Information about Oral Herpes

Herpes Simplex I – also known as oral herpes or cold sores is a very common skin condition. It is estimated that somewhere between fifty to eight percent of the adult population in the United States has oral herpes with many of them receiving it as children through an innocent kiss from a friend or relative. Because it is so common, many people consider cold sores to be an “ok” form of herpes, while they consider herpes type II or genital herpes to be the “bad” type of herpes. The truth of the matter is, they are both caused by the same virus. Not only that, but a person with oral herpes can pass on their virus to a persons genitals (through oral sex) and the other person will now be at risk for genital herpes.

Much like genital herpes, oral herpes is contracted through skin to skin contact through the mucous membrane tissue. A person need not have any visible symptoms present to pass the herpes virus along to someone else.

Herpes Simplex is a very tricky virus because it will often lie dormant or have long periods of latency where there are little to no visible symptoms. A healthy immune system, diet and emotional stability will lead to less severe and infrequent outbreaks. It is important to eat well, avoid sugars, caffeine and stress.
While symptoms of oral herpes most commonly appear on or around the lips, oral herpes is not always limited to this area. For some, symptoms may appear between the upper lip, on or inside the nose, or on the chin or cheek. In these instances, herpes is referred to as oral-facial herpes.

Oral HSV-1 is especially common, with many people acquiring it during early childhood or adolescence. You have most likely seen someone experiencing an oral herpes outbreak before.

A primary infection with oral herpes can be similar to a first episode of genital herpes in that pronounced symptoms occur. During the first episode, classic lesions tend to form as small fluid-filled blisters that can appear as a single blister or in a cluster. Sores may also appear inside the mouth or on the back of the throat, and the lymph nodes in the neck may swell.

Much like genital herpes, however, symptoms of oral herpes can be very mild and go unnoticed. Subtle symptoms can be easily mistaken for another infection or condition such as a small crack or cut in the skin, chapped lips, bug bite, or a pimple, to name a few examples.

At least a quarter of people with oral herpes experience recurrences. Again, as with the first episode, symptoms vary from person to person. Lesions may appear as either a blister or a cluster of blisters or sores. It is possible that a recurrence will involve only the subtle symptoms described above.
The treatments available for oral herpes are the same drugs used for genital herpes including Valtrex and Acyclovir. There are also natural treatments for oral herpes outbreaks.

Our Recommendations for Natural Outbreak Treatments: