Oral herpes is a viral infection that affects the mouth, throat, and parts
of the face.
Oral herpes is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is an illness.
Who can get oral herpes?
Anyone can get oral herpes at any age.
People usually get it for the first time when they are between 6 months
and 5 years old.
After a person has had oral herpes once, it may come back occasionally.
Girls are more likely to get cold sores during times of menstruation.
What are the symptoms of oral herpes?
Children with oral herpes may not have symptoms.
Oral herpes can cause sores on the lips or "fever blisters." Most people
call them "cold sores."
Cold sores are red blisters on the lips, nostrils, cheeks, or fingers. They
are often painful.
Blisters may break and ooze then get crusty. The crust sheds off. The skin
will be pink but will heal without a scar.
In severe cases, oral herpes causes sores that spread from the lips to the
inside of the mouth, along the tongue and cheeks to the back of the throat.
The gums may be swollen, red, and bleed easily.
If the eyes get infected, they may become red, painful, teary, and sensitive
to light.
Severe cases often also have a high fever, pain in the mouth, trouble swallowing,
and swollen glands in the neck. Many lose their appetite and have headaches
or bad breath.
The infection can spread, causing sores on the face, hands, and sometimes
genitals.
Children may be irritable during the day and have trouble sleeping at night.
People with other skin conditions often have worse symptoms.
Is oral herpes contagious?
Yes. Oral herpes is contagious.
It is spread by direct contact with mucus or saliva, usually by kissing
or sharing items with an infected person, such as eating utensils or towels.
People who do not show signs of oral herpes can still spread the virus.
The infection is contagious until the mouth sores are gone and blisters
are scabbed over.
Infected people should not be around infants under 1 month old, people with
weak immune systems (from cancer, AIDS, etc.) or people with skin problems.
Your child can return to school or daycare when fever is gone and mouth
sores are healed.
If mouth sores keep coming back, the child can still go to school but should
not share eating utensils.
How is oral herpes treated?
Medical research shows that some children may benefit from a medicine called
"Acyclovir." Your doctor may or may not prescribe it. Call your doctor if
you want to learn more about this medication.
Medication doesn't cure the infection. It is used only to treat symptoms.
Give your child plenty of fluids, especially if he has a fever. Apple juice,
Gatorade, Popsicles, and sherbet ice cream work well.
Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol, Tempra, and
Panadol) can be used to bring down fever.
Using medicines that numb the mouth, such as topical anesthetics, is not
recommended.
Over-the-counter creams might help.
Put ice on the blisters to help pain.
Do not squeeze, pinch, or pick at the blisters.
Do not use aspirin.
How long does oral herpes last?
Once a child is infected with oral herpes, he has the virus for life but
he will not always have symptoms.
Fever usually lasts 4-7 days.
Cold sores can last 7-10 days.
How can oral herpes be prevented?
Avoid contact with the saliva and sores of an infected person.
Do not share eating utensils, cups, towels, bedding, or other items with
an infected person. These should be washed after use.
Do not touch the eyes after touching blisters and scabs.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor at once if your child is very weak or hard to wake up.
Call the doctor if you child has seizures, major changes in behavior, or
sees things that aren't there.
Call the doctor if your child won't take liquids for more than 6 hours or
if he has a dry mouth.
Call the doctor if your child has sores near his eyes or sores that get
worse after 7 days.
Call the doctor if your child has a fever that lasts longer than 7 days.
Call your doctor if your child has symptoms of herpes.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's illness.
Quick Answers
Oral herpes is a viral infection that affects the mouth, throat, and parts
of the face.
Anyone can get oral herpes at any age. Most people get it for the first
time when they are between 6 months and 5 years old.
Oral herpes can cause sores on the lips or "fever blisters." Most people
call them "cold sores."
It is spread by direct contact with mucus or saliva, usually by kissing
or sharing items with an infected person.
Medication doesn't cure the infection. It is used only to treat symptoms.
Once a child is infected with oral herpes, he has the virus for life, but
he will not always have symptoms.
Do not share eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with an infected
person. These should be washed after use.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's illness.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. (Herpes Simplex). In: Pickering LK, ed.
2000 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 25th ed. Elk
Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2000: (309-318)
Health Square. Cold Sores. (cited 2001 October 3). Available form: URL:
http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc0605.htm
Kohl, S M.D. Oral Herpes. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal. 1999-2001
(cited 2001 October 2). Available from: URL: http;//www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Infectious/OralHerpes.shtml
MayoClinic. Cold Sore. 2001 February 28 (cited 2001 October 3). Available
from: URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/home?id=DS00358
Methodist Healthcare. Cold Sores (Fever Blisters). June 2001 (cited October
2001 3). Available from: URL: http://www.communityhealthgate.com/print/print.asp?siteid=methodisthealth&docid=/dci/coldsores
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