Topic Tuesday: HSV-1

Is it a cold sore?
Is it a fever blister?
Is it herpes?

It’s actually all of the above.

Oral herpes is commonly referred to as “cold sores” and “fever blisters” typically caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). More than 50% of adults in the United States have oral herpes. Most people get it when they are children by receiving a kiss from a friend or relative.

The information in this week’s Topic Tuesday comes from one of my favorite Internet sites for sexual health and wellness information, www.kidshealth.org.

Here’s the link:

http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/common/cold_sores.html#cat20017

Cold sores, which are small and somewhat painful blisters that usually show up on or around a person’s lips, are caused by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). But they don’t just show up on the lips. They can sometimes be inside the mouth, on the face, or even inside or on the nose. These places are the most common, but sores can appear anywhere on the body, including the genital area.

Genital herpes isn’t typically caused by HSV-1; it’s caused by another type of the herpes simplex virus called herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) and is spread by sexual contact. But even though HSV-1 typically causes sores around the mouth and HSV-2 causes genital sores, these viruses can cause sores in either place.

HSV-1 is very common. If you have it, chances are you picked it up when you were a kid — most likely from close contact with someone who has it or getting kissed by an adult with the virus.
Although a person who has HSV-1 doesn’t always have sores, the virus stays in the body and there’s no permanent cure.

When someone gets infected with HSV-1, the virus makes its way through the skin and into a group of nerve cells called a ganglion (pronounced: GANG-glee-in). The virus moves in here, takes a long snooze, and every now and then decides to wake up and cause a cold sore. But not everyone who gets the herpes simplex virus develops cold sores. In some people, the virus stays dormant (asleep) permanently.

The truth is, no one knows for sure. A person doesn’t necessarily have to have a cold to get a cold sore — they can be brought on by other infections, fever, stress, sunlight, cold weather, hormone changes in menstruation or pregnancy, tooth extractions, and certain foods and drugs. In a lot of people, the cause is unpredictable.

Here’s how a cold sore develops:

• The herpes simplex virus-1, which has been lying dormant in the body, reactivates or “wakes up.”
• The virus travels toward the area that was originally infected (like a person’s lip) via the nerve endings.
• The area below the skin’s surface, where the cold sore is going to appear, starts to tingle, itch, or burn (called a “prodrome”).
• A red bump appears in the area about a day or so after the tingling.
• The bump becomes a blister.
• The blister dries up and a yellow crust appears in its place.
• The scab-like yellow crust falls off and leaves behind a pinkish area where it once was.
• The herpes simplex virus travels back to the ganglion (nerve cells), where it goes back to “sleep.”

Cold sores are really contagious. If you have a cold sore, it’s very easy to infect another person with HSV-1. The virus spreads through direct contact — through skin contact or contact with oral or genital secretions (like through kissing). Although the virus is most contagious when a sore is present, it can still be passed on even if you can’t see a sore. HSV-1 can also be spread by sharing a cup, eating utensils, or lip balm or lipstick with someone who has it.

Listen up, this one is important

If you or your partner gets cold sores on the mouth, the herpes simplex virus-1 can be transmitted during oral sex and cause herpes in the genital area.

Herpes simplex virus-1 also can spread if a person touches the cold sore and then touches a mucous membrane or an area of the skin with a cut on it. Mucous membranes are the moist, protective linings made of tissue are are found in certain areas of the body (like the nose, eyes, mouth, and vagina). So it’s best to not mess with a cold sore — don’t pick, pinch, or squeeze it.

Actually, it’s a good idea to not even touch active cold sores. If you do touch an active cold sore, don’t touch other parts of your body. Be especially careful about touching your eyes — if it gets into the eyes, HSV-1 can cause a lot of damage. Wash your hands as soon as possible. In fact, if you have a cold sore or you’re around someone with a cold sore, try to wash your hands often.

Cold sores can actually be dangerous for people whose immune systems are weakened (such as infants and people who have cancer or HIV/AIDS) as well as those with eczema. For people with any of these conditions, an infection triggered by a cold sore can even be life threatening.

Cold sores normally go away on their own within 7 to 10 days. And although no medicines can make the infection go away, prescription drugs and creams are available that can shorten the length of the outbreak and make the cold sore less painful.

If you have a cold sore, it’s important to see your doctor if:

• you have another health condition that has weakened your immune system
• the sores don’t heal by themselves within 7 to 10 days
• you get cold sores often
• you have signs of a bacterial infection, such as fever, pus, or spreading redness

To make yourself more comfortable when you have a cold sore, you can apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel or anything cool to the area. You also can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: February 2014
You can learn more about oral herpes here:

http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/std-sti/Herpes/oral-herpes.html

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this post is intended to inform readers and is not intended to replace specific advice from a health care professional.