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What Are the Causes of Orofacial?

Also known as fever blisters or cold sores, Orofacial sores are pustules and ulcers caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV comes in two types, and both belong to the herpesviridiae family of viruses, known as HSV I and HSV II. While HSV I is more typical of the orofacial manifestation of the disease, the more virulent HSV II can also manifest as orofacial sores, as well as in the mouth, tongue and gums. In the United States, one in five adolescents is infected with HSV I or II.

  1. Disease pathology

    • Orofacial herpes is the result of infection with the HSV virus, usually type I. HSV I is transmitted in saliva. After infection, the disease migrates to the nerve ganglia around the mouth, where it subsists in a dormant state. When activated, under stress or sickness, the virus begins to replicate, emerging from ulcers on the skin as a transparent liquid. The host is particularly contagious at this point, although HSV can be transmitted even without visible symptoms.

    Symptoms

    • Over time, the body's natural defenses contain the virus, and outbreaks can be reduced to occurrences of once or twice a year, or restricted to trigger episodes where stress, disease, sickness, sunburn or another trigger weakens the body enough for the virus to activate. After initial infection, outbreaks can occur as frequently as once a month, until the immune system adjusts to better manage the virus. Some herpes sufferers have listed fatigue, tics and muscle spasms as additional symptoms. In some cases ague (flu-like symptoms) accompany an outbreak, more often associated with HSV II infection. For about 10 percent of HSV sufferers, there are no symptoms at all.

    Treatment and Cure

    • There is no known cure for herpes infection, although certain anti-viral drugs can help control it. A healthy and nutritious diet helps boost the body's natural ability to control the disease.

    Triggers

    • As the immune system combats the virus, the periods of latency increase and outbreaks decrease in magnitude and frequency. Outbreaks are then often associated with other triggers. Triggers can be stress, fatigue, sunburn, other disease or sickness, trauma (car crash, post operative or otherwise) and depression.

    Congenital Herpes

    • The herpes virus can be devastating to newborns. Never handle a newborn if you have an herpes outbreak, either orofacial or genital. If you are a pregnant mother who suffers from genital herpes, you should tell your doctor so preventative steps can be taken. In extreme cases, a caesarian might be necessary. Herpes can be fatal sometimes to newborns.

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