Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesStages of Oral HerpesSymptomsWhen to Seek Medical CareTreatmentTests and DiagnosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Stages of Oral Herpes
Symptoms
When to Seek Medical Care
Treatment
Tests and Diagnosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
This article explains what causes oral herpes, its symptoms, when you should seek medical treatment, and more.
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Oral Herpes Causes
HSV-1can be spread through mouth-to-mouth contact, such as kissing (saliva), or through touching the skin or sores around the mouth of a person infected with oral herpes, and sharing objects like lip balm, razors, toothbrushes, and even utensils that are infected.It can also be transmitted through oral-genital contact, although this is not typically common.
There are three main stages of oral herpes:
Oral Herpes Symptoms
Oral herpes is usuallyasymptomatic.If there are symptoms, these usually appear during the primary infection or recurrence phase.
Incubation Period
Theincubation periodis the time between the first infection and when symptoms show up. The incubation period for HSV-1 is two to 12 days following exposure.
Symptomatic Period
If someone is symptomatic,herpes symptomsmay include:
When to Seek Medical Treatment
While oral herpes symptoms usually go away within one to two weeks without treatment, there may be cases in which an HSV-1 infection is more serious and can cause complications, primarily involving the eyes, fingertips, and skin.
Complications
Potential complications from oral herpes include:
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
You should contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist for more than two weeks, especially if those symptoms are severe.If you areimmunocompromiseddue to certain conditions or medications, it is also a good idea to reach out to a medical professional.
When to Go to the Hospital
Severe complications from HSV-1 are very rare. That said, oral herpes can lead toencephalitis(infection of brain tissue) or eye infections.If you’re experiencing symptoms of either of these conditions, visit the emergency room right away. Symptoms may include headache, memory problems, fever, or personality changes.
Medical Treatment for Oral Herpes
Oral herpes symptoms may resolve without treatment within one to two weeks.
If needed, your healthcare provider will prescribe certain antiviral medications to treat your condition. These medications help with any pain you may be experiencing as well as alleviate symptoms more quickly.
Medicationsthat are used to treat HSV-1 include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, which are most effective if taken when initial warning signs of an incoming flare-up appear and before blisters develop.
You should follow up with your healthcare provider if treatments fail to alleviate symptoms so they can rule out other possible conditions.
Coping With Oral Herpes
There are a number of strategies that may be useful in coping with oral herpes. These include:
Prevention
The best way toprevent oral herpesfrom spreading to others is to skip sharing items like cups, straws, eating utensils, toothbrushes, and pipes. Kissing can also spread the virus, whether cold sores are present or not, so it’s best to use caution there as well.
Outlook
Currently, there is no cure for herpes. However, with proper management, self-care, and prevention strategies, oral herpes should not impact your life in any major way.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Oral herpes is incredibly common. If you happen to contract HSV-1, know you are not alone and there is treatment available. Practicing proper self-care, taking medications in a timely manner, and communicating with your healthcare provider are all important steps to take in order to manage the condition. Herpes is nothing to be ashamed of but it must be managed accordingly.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, HSV-1 is orally contagious. It is spread through skin-to-skin contact.Other conditions that may be mistaken for oral herpes include canker sores, allergic reactions, and fungal or yeast infections.Yes, oral herpes is permanent. Once you are infected, the virus remains with you forever and there is currently no cure. However proper management and treatment will help make living with HSV-1 much easier.Yes, you can get herpes from kissing, because herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Yes, HSV-1 is orally contagious. It is spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Other conditions that may be mistaken for oral herpes include canker sores, allergic reactions, and fungal or yeast infections.
Yes, oral herpes is permanent. Once you are infected, the virus remains with you forever and there is currently no cure. However proper management and treatment will help make living with HSV-1 much easier.
Yes, you can get herpes from kissing, because herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Herpes - oral.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes - CDC fact sheet.Cedars Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.Cedars Sinai.Herpes eye disease.NHS.Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger). Reviewed November 6, 2020.Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Herpes - oral.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes - CDC fact sheet.Cedars Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.Cedars Sinai.Herpes eye disease.NHS.Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger). Reviewed November 6, 2020.Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Herpes - oral.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes - CDC fact sheet.Cedars Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.Cedars Sinai.Herpes eye disease.NHS.Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger). Reviewed November 6, 2020.Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex.
MedlinePlus.Herpes - oral.
World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes - CDC fact sheet.
Cedars Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.
Cedars Sinai.Herpes eye disease.
NHS.Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger). Reviewed November 6, 2020.
Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex.
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