What Causes Fever Blisters

A virus that stays with you forever

Oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, and genital herpes are medically the same condition but at different sites. There is a stigma attached to the latter because it’s sexually transmitted. Helen Grange looks at the two prongs of the herpes simplex virus.

GENITAL HERPES

It started with what looked and felt like a burning spider bite, “in a spot that was too awkward even for mirror self-examination”, says Pumi, a 31-year-old personal assistant living in Sandton. It turned out to be genital herpes, one of South Africa’s most common sexually transmitted diseases.

Being viral, genital herpes is incurable, and has left Pumi reeling.

“My boyfriend never bothered to tell me he had it, but he has ruined my innocence and left me with such a low estimation of myself. Now, every time my immune system is down, I’m prone to getting another outbreak. I still can’t believe that I have this disease forever,” she says.

In Vicky’s case, a few uncomfortable blisters appeared around her vagina toward the end of last year. “I’ve got no idea how I contracted it. I didn’t know what it was at first. I thought the blisters were an irritation from using hair removal cream and douching after sex. When I had a blood test, the doctor confirmed it was herpes. Apparently I’ve had it for quite some time,” she says.

The genital version of the herpes simplex virus is caused by either type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2), but mostly by HSV-2.

“Genital herpes is the number one STD at my rooms, without a doubt,” says gynaecologist Dr Thandi Mtsi, “and it can cause a lot of distress when a patient is told it lives in your body forever. Patients break down into tears when they hear that”.

Most people infected with genital herpes are not aware of their infection until their first outbreak, characterised by small red bumps, blisters or open sores on or near the genitals. There can also be a vaginal discharge, fever, headaches, muscle aches, pain during urination, as well as itching, burning or swollen glands in the genital area.

The symptoms can come and go, but the virus stays in the nerve cells of your body even when you’re not exhibiting signs.

What Causes Fever Blisters | Fever Blisters On Lips

Are a viral infection and are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1, genital herpes is most commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 also known as HSV-2. Fever blisters are usually very painful and can be extremely embarrassing and troublesome for the sufferer; however they can be treated with certain medications and home remedies to lessen the severity of the outbreak to a degree.

Fever blisters are fluid-filled blisters that will commonly occur on the moist area just outside of your lip region and are highly infectious from person to person. Fever blisters were such a problem during ancient Roman times that the Romans actually banned kissing at public ceremonial events. Fever blisters being very contagious can be spread by kissing or through the sharing of eating utensils, toothbrushes, towels or razors.

Fever blisters can also be transmitted person to person by means of oral-genital intimate contact. Unfortunately, fever blisters are an all too common skin condition that affects approximately up to 30% of the United States population. 

Fever blisters are not always active, visible, with many people experiencing outbreaks of three to four times a year. However, in some severe cases people may experience these outbreaks far more often. Stress and diet will often play a huge roll in its reoccurrence. Fever blisters may appear as a single blister or in a cluster of little blisters, and outbreaks can differ outbreak to outbreak. 

While there is no known cure for Fever blisters, they can be treated using a wide variety of medications and home remedies, including over the counter topical ointments and oral medications. For most people, a Fever blister outbreak may last anywhere from seven days to two weeks.

Fever blisters are also known as cold sores can be highly painful, itchy and cause many people to feel like they have to compress them to achieve some form of pain relief, while other people who experience these cold sores will have no pain symptoms at all. This can also differ from one outbreak to another. 

Remember, these sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus Type1 and are highly contagious; you should refrain from touching them as much as possible. While there is no cure for these painful blisters to date, there are some medications that can be prescribed by a doctor, plus a few over the counter ointments, as well as some natural remedies that people swear by for fever blisters treatments that can be used to help treat the infection, reduce the pain and shorten the outbreak period. If you suspect you may have fever blisters, or experience cold sores, you should seek the advice of a medical professional for a proper diagnosis. The fact that your body has been attacked by the herpes virus could also signal other lingering medical conditions, fever blisters just being one of them.

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