Oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, brought on by the HSV1 or HSV2 virus. Estimates are between 80-90% of Americans at one point having been exposed to either strain of the virus and may unknowingly. I have broken down the oral herpes symptoms for you in a sequential manner below.
Incubation
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Many people are prone to outbreaks of cold sores (also known as fever blisters) and desire to avoid this occurrence any way possible. The cause of these annoying blemishes is herpes simplex virus type 1, more commonly referred to as oral herpes. Once the virus is contracted it remains within the body for the rest of the person's life, lying dormant until conditions enable a cold sore outbreak. As there is no known cure available for oral herpes, most infected people find ways to keep the outbreak of cold sores at a minimum. This can be done by adhering to a certain diet, taking medication, supplements or vitamins, or any methods which work to deny the virus the opportunity to flare-up.
Oral Herpes is Contagious – Always use caution during an outbreak
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Let's look at the 8 distinct cold sore stages, and what you can do now to lessen the severity, discomfort and length of your cold sore event.
Cold sore stages 2-8 are the active stages and are very contagious during this time. Usually 3 to 4 weeks is the average life-span of a cold sore. Much depends on your health and choice of treatments for each of your cold sore stages.
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What causes cold sores in everyone is the herpes simplex virus, either type 1 or type 2.
Either type produces identical fever blister, cold sore or oral herpes sores. Type 1 is what causes cold sores about 80% of the time. Type 2 causes about 20% of the outbreaks.
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Often we associate any sort of infection on the mouth as herpes or a cold sore. However, if the infection is not on the lips but right at the corner of the mouth, this may not be a cold sore but Angular Chelitis. The simplest way to “self diagnose” yourself is to look at a series of photos of actual sufferers of Angular Chelitis and compare it to your own symptoms. Once you know the clinical name of your condition it becomes a much simpler matter to research it on line and arm yourself with the right information before seeing your doctor.
Quite commonly, the prescription for Angular Chelitis is 1% hydro cortisone topical cream, however this ointment is reported by the majority as very ineffectual in easing the symptoms or curing the condition. Millions of Americans suffer from Angular Chelitis every year. The corners of the mouth form a legion much like a swollen paper cut, the ulcers split at the mouth if the mouth is opened. If left unchecked, Angular Chelitis is accompanied by a yeast infection of the mouth. Candida or oral thrush is a contagious fungal infection that coats the tongue making it swell with a whitish hue.
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