Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex)

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Herpes simplex - close-up

Cold sore; Fever blister; Herpes simplex - oral

Untreated, the symptoms will generally subside in 1 to 2 weeks. Antiviral medications given by mouth may shorten the course of the symptoms and decrease pain.

Sores caused by Herpes often come back again and again. The antiviral medicines work best if you take it when the virus is just starting to come back -- before you see any sores. If you the virus returns frequently, your doctor may recommend that you take the medicines all the time.

Wash blisters gently with soap and water to minimize the spread of the virus to other areas of skin. An antiseptic soap may be recommended. Applying ice or warmth to the area may reduce pain.

Take precautions to avoid infecting others (see Prevention).

Herpes labialis usually disappears spontaneously in 1 to 2 weeks. It may recur. Infection may be severe and dangerous if it occurs in or near the eye, or if it happens in immunosuppressed people.

• Spread of herpes to other skin areas
• Secondary bacterial skin infections
• Recurrence of herpes labialis
• Generalized infection -- may be life-threatening in immunosuppressed people, including those with atopic dermatitis, cancer, or HIV infections
• Blindness

Herpes infection of the eye is a leading cause of blindness in the US, causing scarring of the cornea.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate herpes labialis and symptoms persist for more than 1 or 2 weeks.

Call if symptoms are severe, or if you have a disorder associated with immunosuppression and you develop herpes symptoms.

Review Date: 08/15/2006
Reviewed By: Hilary M. Babcock, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.