The herpes simple virus type 1 (HSV-1), also called Herpes Labialis, is the cause of oral herpes, which typically displays symptoms on the lips and mouth. Transmission may occur from kissing or coming in contact with infected skin. In some cases when there is oral to genital contact (oral sex), infection may occur in the genital area, but this is rare. Oral herpes has many symptoms, and is very common in the United States. According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA), "about 50 percent to 80 percent of the adult population in the United States has oral herpes, with as many as 90 percent having the virus by age 50."
Cold Sores
Cold sores, or fever blisters, are small, fluid-filled and painful blisters that usually occur on the lips and around the mouth. They may also occur inside the mouth, on the tongue, inside the nose or on the cheeks. The cold sores typically appear between two and 21 days after exposure to the virus and last about seven to 10 days. The blisters may break, causing the fluid inside to ooze out and crust, but in most cases, they heal and do not scar the skin.
Warning Symptoms
Many individuals develop warning symptoms, called a "prodome," which occur one or two days prior to an outbreak. Symptoms include redness, itching, tingling, burning or pain on the affected skin. The virus is considered to be active and can be spread to other individuals during this time. Recurrences decrease with time, and when they do occur, symptoms tend to be milder. Recurrent infections may be triggered by fever, sun exposure or menstrual periods.
Asymptomatic
HSV-1 may not always cause any noticeable signs or symptoms. Some people may not know they have HSV-1 because the skin lesions may be so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Other times, the lesions may be confused with an ingrown hair, acne or a cut. In some cases, they may be in places on the skin that can't be seen. This unnoticed activation of HSV-1 is referred to as "asymptomatic shedding" or "asymptomatic activation," but the virus may still be spread to another individual.
