The herpes simplex virus causes fever blisters, commonly called cold sores. This virus causes painful sores in and around the mouth that typically clear up on their own after several days. However, fever blisters can become infected, causing a high fever and vomiting. Some other illnesses may resemble fever blisters. If your child develops sores in her mouth and has a fever, consult your pediatrician.
Symptoms and Causes
The herpes virus that causes fever blisters is a different strain from the genital herpes virus. It is extremely common and a majority of adults carry the virus, according to pediatrician William Sears. The virus resides permanently in a nerve near the mouth and, when it becomes activated, causes fever blisters. Stress, dietary problems and a depressed immune system can all activate the virus but there is frequently no clear cause of an outbreak. The sores are typically located on or around the lips but may also develop inside the mouth. Over several days, the sores typically harden and develop scabs, then clear up.
Complications
The mouth is a sensitive area exposed to high levels of bacteria, according to "Biology: Life on Earth With Physiology." When children chew on or pick at their fever blisters, the blisters can become infected. A child who has multiple fever blisters is especially susceptible to an infection which may cause a high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and other symptoms. If your child displays these symptoms, prompt medical care is required. Skin infections can spread to other areas of the body, in addition to causing extreme pain and discomfort.
Other Causes
Some illnesses look like fever blisters. Chicken pox may begin around the mouth and cause vomiting and a fever, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Allergic reactions also frequently cause rashes around the mouth. If your child develops sores around his mouth and a sudden fever, he may be having an allergic reaction to something he ate. Cellulitis, a common skin infection, may also cause sores around the mouth. Abscessed teeth, strep throat and other infections might cause cellulitis.
Treatment
Fever blisters cannot be treated with antibiotics because a virus is the cause. If your child has frequent, severe outbreaks, your pediatrician may prescribe an antiviral medication. Such medication does not cure the illness but decreases the frequency and severity of outbreaks. If your child has an infection resulting from the fever blisters, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. To help ease the pain of cold sores, try an over-the-counter cold sore remedy after consulting your pediatrician. Encourage your child to eat bland foods that will not irritate the sore.
References
- "The Portable Pediatrician"; William Sears, M.D., et al.; 2011
- "Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology"; Gerald Audesirk, et al.; 2008
- "Caring For Your Baby and Young Child"; American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009
- Federal Citizen Information Center: Fever Blisters and Canker Sores
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Cellulitis
