What is herpes labialis ?

 What is herpes labialis ?

Herpes labialis commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters , is s a type of infection by the herpes simplex virus that affects  primarily  the  lip . Symptoms typically include a burning  pain followed by small blisters or sores. The first attack may also  be  accompanied by fever, sore throat and  enlarged  lymph nodes. The  rash usually heals within  ten days , but the virus remains  dormant in the trigeminal ganglion . The cause  is usually herpes simplex virus type1 and occasionally herpes simplex virus type 2 . The infection is typically spread between  people by  direct  non- sexual contact . Attacks can be triggered by sunlight , fever , psychological stress , or a menstrual period . Direct contact  with the gentials can results in gential herpes . The virus may periodically reactivate to create another outbreak of sores in the mouth or lip . 

Prevention includes  avoiding kissing  or using the personal items of a person who is infected . A zinc oxide, anesthetic , or antiviral  cream  appears to decrease the duration  of symptoms by a small amount . antiviral medications may also decrease the frequency of outbreaks. After one episode about 33% of people develop subsequent episodes . In  those  with recurrent outbreaks , these typically happen less than 3 times a year . The frequency of outbreaks generally decrease over time. 


What are the causes of herpes labialis ?

Herpes liabialis infection occurs  when the herpes simplex virus comes into contact with  oral  mucosal tissue or abraded skin of the mouth. HSV-1  is mostvcommon , however , cases of oral infection by the  type 2 strain are increasing . Oral HSV-2 shedding is rare and usually noted in the context of first episode   genital herpes . In general , both types can causes oral or genital herpes . Cold sores are the results of the virus reactivating inthe body . The virus moves from  the mouth to remain latent use disease .  the virus travels down  in the central  nervous system. In approximately 1/3 of people , the virus can " wake-up " or reactivate to occurs , the virus travels down the nerves  to the skin where it may causes blisters around the lips or mouth area . Cold sore outbreaks  may be inflence by stress, menstruation ,sunlight , sunburn , fever , dehydration , or local skin trauma . surgical  procedure  such as dental or neural surgery , lip  tattooing , or  dermabrasion  are also  common triggers . HSV -1 can  in rare cases be transmitted to newborn babies by family members or hospital staff who have cold sores , this acn cause a severe disease called neonatal herpes  simplex . The  colloquial term  for this condition " cold sore" comes from the fact that herpes labialis is often trigger by fever, as may occur during . 

Pictures  of herpes labialis :





What are the sign and symptoms of herpes labialis ?

Herpes  infectious usually shiw no symptoms , when symptoms do appear they  typically resolve within 2  week . the main symptoms of oral infection is inflammation of the musosa of the cheeks and gums known  as acute herpetic gingivostomatitis which occurs within5-10 days of infection . Other symptoms may also  develop , including  headache , nausea , dizziness and painful ulcers - sometimes confused with canker sores fever and sore throat . 

Primary HSV infection  in adolescent  frequently manifests as severe  with lesion  developing on the cheeks and gums . some individuals  develop difficult in swallowing  ansd swollen lymph nodes . Primary  HSV infections in adults often results in pharyngitis with lesions developing om the  cheek and gums . the remission period , after initial infection , the viruses  move to sensory nerve ganglia , where they reside as lifelong , latent viruses. Asymptomatic shedding of contagious  virus particles can occur during  this stage . 

 This stage can last from a few days  to a few hours preceding  the physical manifestation  of an infection and is the best time to start treatment .  the healthy cells react to the invasion  with swelling and redness  displayed as symptoms  of infection 

In time, these fluid -filled blisters form a cluster on the lip tissues, the area  betwween the lip and skin , and can occur on the nose , chin , and cheeks . This is the most most painful and contagious of the stage . all the tiny vesicles break open and merge to create one big , open , weeping  ulcer . Fluid s are slowly discharge is teeming with active viral  particles and is high contagious . This appears as the healing process begins . The  sore is still painful at this stage, but the scab as one moves or  painful , however , is the constant  cracking of the  scab as one moves or stretches their  lips , as in smiling or eating . New skin begins  to form underneath the scab as the virus  retreats   into  latency. A series  of scabs will form over the sore . During  this phase irritants , itching , and some pain are common . A reddish area  may linger at the  site of viral infection as the destroyed  cells . 

How to treat herpes labialis ?

A human body's immune system and specific antibodies typically fight the virus . Treatment options include no treatment , topical creams  and oral  antiviral medication . indifferent topical creams include zinc oxide  and glycerin  cream , which can have  itching  and burning sensation as side  effects and docosano . a saturated fatty alcohol was approved by the united states food and drug administration  for herpes labialis in adults with properly fuction immune systems. It is comparable in effectiveness to prescription  topical antiviral agents . Oral antivirals include acyclovir , taken in pill form, can be effective using a single day,  high dose application and is more cost effective using a single day, and convenient than  the traditional treatments of lower doses for 5-7 days . Anaesthetic creams include lidocaine and prilocaine which has shown reduction in duration of subjective symptoms and eruptions . Treatment recommendation  vary on the severity of the symptoms  and chronicity of the infection . Treatments  with oral antivirals such as  acyclovir inn children  within 72 hours of illness onset  has shown  to shorten duration of fever , odynophagia and lesions and to reduce viral shedding . However , those  with occasional severe recurrences of lesions may use oral antivirals  . 
Mouth rinse with combination of ethonol and essential oils against herpes as therapeutic method is recommended by the german  society of hospital hygiene. further research into virucidal  effects  of essential oils exists. 

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