Oral herpes is caused in two ways. When someone has
an infection of the herpes simplex virus, the disease
that he suffers from is referred to as herpes. Infection
from the herpes simplex virus can again be sub divided
into an infection from HSV 1 and HSV 2. The first
way someone gets oral herpes is from an infection
from the HSV 1 strain of the virus. The second way
to get the oral herpes disease is from the HSV 2 strain.
Though the symptoms of oral herpes are seen on the
facial areas of the body, but sometimes there is a
genital connection as well. The fact is, HSV 2 basically
causes the genital herpes illness, and the symptoms
are naturally in the genital regions, but apparently
HSV 2 also has an oral herpes connection. The oral
herpes disease has several other names such as cold
sores and fever blisters.
The first connection is in the virus that causes
the problem. Though the strains are different, but
they are basically the same virus and look the same
as well. There is even a huge similarity in their
DNA structure also. The only difference being the
fact that HSV 2 is basically considered as a sexually
transmitted disease that passes through intercourse,
but HSV 1 is not that generally. The symptoms of both
these strains look the same also, the difference being
in the region of the body where they are seen. As
previously mentioned, while genital herpes is seen
on the genital region, oral herpes is seen on the
face.
But oral herpes can also cause genital herpes, and
this is the second connection between the two. If
a person who is infected with the oral herpes virus,
engages in oral sex with another person, then there
is a possibility that the virus can be passed on to
the second person, and if so, the other person will
not get oral herpes, but he will have the genital
herpes disease.
The first symptoms of oral herpes are almost always
an itching or a tingling sensation. Usually the affected
portion also pains, and this can make it difficult
to eat and drink as well. Then after 2 to 3 days,
the blisters begin to come up. These blisters look
like small and grey ulcers that have a red base at
the bottom. After a few days, these blisters crust
off and become dry. At this stage they appear yellow
in color.
The symptoms of oral herpes are seen on the lips,
inside of the mouth, the gums (they can bleed as well
and becomes swollen – brushing the teeth becomes
a problem)), tongue, the cheeks and also on the throat.
Oral herpes blisters are also seen on the neck region
and the chin. Some people (particularly those who
are in their teens or in the early 20’s) also
have tonsil problems when they have symptoms of oral
herpes.
