Mouth herpes causes sores that can appear anywhere on or inside the mouth. Commonly, mouth herpes sores appear on the lips. The condition also produce sores inside the mouth on the gums, the roof of the mouth, inside the cheek and even on the tongue. Mouth herpes, commonly referred to as oral herpes, can affect children or adults. Mouth herpes is contagious and transmitted through saliva.
Covert Symptoms
Since mouth herpes is a virus, it enters the system through saliva, mucous membranes or from contact with the skin. The first symptoms replicate other virus symptoms, often causing muscle aches or a slight fever. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, sores do not immediately appear on the mouth. For some, the mouth herpes virus might be an asymptomatic virus, which means there may be no symptoms whatsoever. The virus remains latent and the replicates in the system, unbeknown to the host.
Overt Symptoms
Between contact with the virus and before any symptoms manifest, the average incubation period is from two to 12 days. Most symptoms of aches or pains appear within 4 days. Since the virus remains in the body, stress or other unknown factors cause it to manifest in the form of mouth sores. The reactivated virus, whether caused by emotional or physical stress, is often the conclusive symptom or sign that the virus entered the body. According to Medic 8, some experience itching or tingling on the skin before an outbreak. Mouth sores look similar to blisters on the skin. They are shallow and often contain a red base, which disappears within a few days leaving a yellowish scab. Mouth sores can erupt as deep as the tonsils. When mouth sores erupt, eating or drinking certain foods might be painful. The mouth sores will heal completely, leaving no scarring, within 10 days after they erupt.
Additional Symptoms
According to the University of Virginia Health System, HSV-1 is the most common virus responsible for moth sores. For some, the first symptoms of this virus begin with redness, swelling, pain or a feeling of heat where the eruption will occur. Blisters then appear on the mouth, or even under the nose. The blisters are contagious. They may leak and become sore. Since this is a virus, some experience extreme fatigue, which presents a risk for depression. Fatigue and depression can prolong the negative impact of the virus outbreaks. Other symptoms caused by the HSV-1 virus include headaches.
