Precautions for Herpes 1

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) goes by many other names: oral herpes, herpes labialis, or less formally, cold sores, fever blisters or sometimes "herpes 1." HSV-1 is extremely common among the U.S. population--the American Social Health Association estimates that anywhere between 50 and 80 percent of people have it. If you've never had a fever blister or a cold sore caused by HSV-1, use preventive measures to keep yourself in the minority. If you do, precautions for herpes 1 cannot be underscored enough: to someone not yet infected with this virus, you may be extremely contagious.

HSV-1 Basics

• ASHA states that most people with HSV-1 first get it as children through a kiss from a friend or family member or other face-to-face contact. As a child, you may recall seeing some of your peers sporting fever blisters to school. While many people never experience another eruption of painful lesions caused by HSV-1, at least 25 percent do, ASHA says. Also, because the virus never leaves your body, lying dormant in the trigeminal ganglion at the top of your spine, closest to your face, it can "awaken" at any time and cause another bout of watery lesions on your lips or around your mouth.

  While there's no reason to forgo physical contact with others simply because you have HSV-1, the Mayo Clinic recommends taking certain precautions. If you have an active cold sore, avoid kissing others or having direct facial contact, as the virus inside of the watery lesions is easily spread. Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors, towels, utensils, cups and lip balm when you have lesions. Make sure you wash your hands frequently when you have a cold sore before touching others. The Mayo Clinic also notes that certain people are more at risk for more severe HSV-1 infections: children, those with eczema, and people who have weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer or HIV/AIDS.

Triggers and Treatment

• Precautions for herpes 1 also require circumstances that can trigger the virus to awaken and cause lesions or asymptomatic shedding of the virus. The National Institutes of Health notes that although subsequent outbreaks of oral herpes are typically less severe than the first, the virus has certain known triggers including menstruation, illness (with fever), stress and exposure to the sun. The Mayo Clinic advises those who suffer subsequent outbreaks to avoid putting themselves in stressful situations (including exposure to colds and the flu). Also, make sure to get enough sleep each night and apply sunscreen before going outdoors, no matter what the time of year.

  In most cases, cold sores resolve in 7 to 10 days without the need for treatment. However, the Mayo Clinic notes that some circumstances demand medical attention: if you have a compromised immune system; symptoms spread to the eye area; or outbreaks are frequent, severe or don't heal within a week or two.

Herpes 1 for Adults

• Most cases of genital herpes are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which is acquired during sex by way of genital contact. But herpes 1 of the mouth can also cause an outbreak of genital herpes when someone with HSV-1 performs oral sex on an uninfected sexual partner. ASHA notes that there's no reason to abstain from giving or receiving affection in absence of obvious signs or symptoms of oral herpes. However, use of barriers (such as dental dams and condoms) can prevent the spread of genital HSV-1.