Caution: Photographs inside depict the disease. Some may find them graphic or offensive.
About 80 percent of the adult population in the United States has been affected by oral herpes at least once. Though the virus can affect people at any age and any time of the year, almost 90% are affected by the virus by adulthood. Small things like sharing of utensils, cosmetics or just kissing can pass on the virus to you.
Oral herpes is more commonly known as Cold Sore or Fever Blisters. Herpes is a very common and recurrent skin condition caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV, which cause oral as well as genital herpes.
80% of oral herpes cases are caused by HSV-1 and that of genital herpes are caused by HSV-2. But sometimes HSV-2 can cause oral herpes and vice-versa.
Oral herpes infection causes painful sores in and around your mouth. It also can cause symptoms such as fever and muscle aches. A cold sore typically begins as an itch or a tingle and progresses to form skin eruptions and ulcers in and around the mouth.
The ulcers may weep fluid and are very contagious at this time. If this fluid touches other body parts, then the infection can spread to that part too.
This is a picture of herpes simplex (cold sore virus) infection of the skin. Even a small cut can get infected if it comes in contact with herpes virus. This is true for any open cuts or wounds present anywhere in the body.
Oral herpes is transmitted through direct contact between the contagious area and broken skin and/or the mucous membrane tissue such as the mouth or genital areas. Herpes can also be transmitted when there are no symptoms present. The cold sore virus is transferred through direct or indirect physical contact like kissing or just sharing objects with an infected person. Often, transmission occurs between family members and friends due to things we don't even think twice before sharing.
Simple precautions to prevent contracting the virus or spread it to other parts of the body:
Avoid oral contact when symptoms are present. Do not kiss person or have any other oral contact with them during the outbreak. It is most contagious during this time.
Refrain from touching the sore. If you do by accident, then wash your hands properly with soap.
Do not share makeup! Especially lip gloss, lipsticks, chap sticks, makeup sponge, foundation sticks, puffs, etc. Anything that you touch to the facial skin should not be shared.
Always use your own eating utensils. Straws, forks, spoons, cups, glasses, anything that comes in direct contact with your mouth should be kept separate.
Men should avoid sharing razors with others.
Always ask for a straw to drink water, juices, shakes, etc at restaurants and public places. Its better to be safe than keep wondering about hygienic practices at such places.
As mentioned above, oral herpes can be caught from having contact with someone who has genital herpes. Please confirm with your partner if they have ever had an herpes outbreak before involving in oral sex.
More about herpes
What happens to you and your body after the infection? Watch a video here.
If a person is experiencing symptoms orally, its best abstaining from oral sex and kissing. This does not mean that a person having herpes should stop giving or receiving affection. They should wait till signs of the infection have healed. Having close intimate physical contact of any kind, during outbreaks, is a bad idea. Using a barrier such as a condom when performing oral sex at all times is highly recommended.
