Herpes labialis Information & Herpes labialis Links at HealthHaven.com
advertise
add site
services
publishers
database
health videos
Bookmark and Share

search wiki for    ?
web dir firms image gallery news pdf wiki shop video 
about
toolbar
stats
live show
health store
more stuff
JOIN/LOGIN
Featured Results:
Cure Herpes , Natural cure for Herpes Labialis | Herpes Labialis Treatment
Cure Herpes, Natural cure for Herpes Labialis | Herpes Labialis Treatment
fixdisease.com
 Cold Sores (herpes labialis )
Cold Sores (herpes labialis)
doctorspiller.com
 LYSINE SUPPLEMENTS IN HERPES LABIALIS (COLD SORE) MANAGEMENT - Dental
LYSINE SUPPLEMENTS IN HERPES LABIALIS (COLD SORE) MANAGEMENT - Dental
sybertooth.com
 
Herpes labialis
Classification and external resources

Herpes lesion on upper lip
ICD-10 B00.1
ICD-9 054.9
MeSH D006560

Herpes labialis (also known as "Orolabial herpes"[1]:368) is an infection of the lip by herpes simplex virus. In many cases, it causes small blisters or sores on or around the mouth that are commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters. Sores associated with herpes labialis typically heal within 2-3 weeks, but the virus that causes them is not removed from the body. The herpes virus infects and becomes dormant in the facial nerves, following orofacial infection, periodically reactivating (in symptomatic people) to create sores in the same area of the mouth or face that the original infection occurred.

Contents

[edit] Terminology

In medical contexts, "labia" is a general term for "lip"; "herpes labialis" does not refer to the labia of the genitals, though the etymology is the same. When the viral infection affects both face and mouth, the broader term "orofacial herpes" is used to describe the condition, whereas the term "herpetic stomatitis" is used to specifically describe infection of the mouth; "stomatitis" is derived from the Greek word stoma that means "mouth".

[edit] Causes

Herpes labialis infection occurs when the herpes simplex virus comes into contact with oral mucosal tissue or abraded skin of the mouth. Infection by the type 1 strain of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is most common, though cases of oral infection by the type 2 strain are increasing.[2]

[edit] Presentation

Herpes infections often show no symptoms;[3] when symptoms do appear they typically resolve within two weeks.[2] The main symptom of oral infection is inflammation of the mucosa of the cheek and gums -- known as acute herpetic gingivostomatitis -- which occurs within 5–10 days of infection. Other symptoms may also develop, including painful ulcers—sometimes confused with canker sores—fever, and sore throat.[2] Primary HSV infection in adolescents frequently manifests as severe pharyngitis with lesions developing on the cheek and gums. Some individuals develop difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) and swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy).[2] Primary HSV infections in adults often results in pharyngitis similar to that observed in glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis), but gingivostomatitis is less likely.

Recurrent oral infection is more common with HSV-1 infections than with HSV-2. Prodromal symptoms often precede a recurrence. Symptoms typically begin with tingling (itching) and reddening of the skin around the infected site. Eventually, fluid-filled blisters form on the lip (labial) tissue and the area between the lip and skin (vermilion border). The recurrent infection is thus often called herpes simplex labialis. Rare reinfections occur inside the mouth (intraoral HSV stomatitis) affecting the gums, alveolar ridge, hard palate, and the back of the tongue, possibly accompanied by herpes labialis.[2]

[edit] Treatment

Acyclovir[4] and penciclovir[5] are used, although the shortening of duration of healing, pain and detectable virus is, at maximum, one day.[5] Both are nucleoside analogues, being purine analogues of guanine.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Bruce AJ, Rogers RS (2004). "Oral manifestations of sexually transmitted diseases". Clin. Dermatol. 22 (6): 520–7. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.07.005. PMID 15596324. 
  3. ^ Opstelten W, Neven AK, Eekhof J (December 2008). "Treatment and prevention of herpes labialis". Can Fam Physician 54 (12): 1683–7. PMID 19074705. PMC 2602638. http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/content/full/54/12/1683. 
  4. ^ Raborn GW, Chan KS, Grace M (January 2004). "Treatment modalities and medication recommended by health care professionals for treating recurrent herpes labialis". J Am Dent Assoc 135 (1): 48–54. PMID 14959874. http://jada.ada.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=14959874. 
  5. ^ a b Farmaceutiska Specialiteter i Sverige - the Swedish official drug catalog. [http://www.fass.se Fass.se --> Vectavir. Retrieved on August 12, 2009. Translated from "Tiden för läkning, smärta och påvisbart virus förkortas med upp till ett dygn."



Product Results (view all...)

search wiki for    ?
web dir firms image gallery news pdf wiki shop video 



↑ top of page ↑about thumbshots