Mouth herpes, cold sores, and herpes labialis all refer to the herpes simplex virus. Two types of herpes simplex virus exist: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is associated with the mouth area. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that most Americans are infected with the HSV-1 virus by the age of 20 and continue to experience recurrences over their lifetimes.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
The University of Maryland Medical Center describes the herpes simplex virus type 1 as a viral infection that causes blisters or sores around the mouth or face. These lesions are painful, embarrassing and contagious. They can be spread by eating utensils, razors, bed cloths or by skin-to-skin contact. HSV-1 may lay dormant for years inside the body until provoked by illness, fever, exposure to sun, hormonal changes or stress. The first symptoms are usually tingling, burning or tenderness. Sores erupt and then scab over within eight to 10 days. Thirty to 90 percent of those infected develop antibodies to HSV-1 by adulthood. HSV-1 may be spread to the genital area through oral-genital contact.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2
The HSV-2 virus, or genital herpes, appears on the genital area as ulcers or sores. According to the UAB Medicine website, it can also be spread to the mouth area through oral-genital contact, meaning that HSV-2 lesions can occur on the lips, face or mouth. The University of Maryland Medical Center estimates that up to 30 percent of Americans have developed antibodies to the HSV-2 virus.
Treatment
Once the body is infected with HSV-1, the virus stays in the nerve cells for life. An outbreak usually clears up on its own, but topical treatments such as lidocaine or benxocaine, are available to help reduce the discomfort. MayoClinic.com also mentions oral antiviral treatments, such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir, which can moderately decrease the pain and length of the outbreak if started at the onset of the symptoms.
