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Reasons for Fever Blisters

For fever blister sufferers, the often painful sores made up of groups of fluid-filled blisters are a recurring nuisance and distraction from day-to-day living. A significant percentage of the U.S. population is infected by the highly contagious virus that causes fever blisters, herpes simplex type 1, or oral herpes. While over 95 percent of fever blisters are caused by an initial infection with herpes simplex type 1, the reasons for subsequent outbreaks of fever blisters include sun exposure, stress, menstruation and lip trauma.

  1. Cause

    • Most fever blister sufferers are infected with the herpes simplex type 1 virus at some point during their childhood or adolescence. The virus is spread through direct contact with the skin or secretions of someone with a fever blister, and often is the result of kissing. Upon initial infection children and adolescents experience a primary herpes simplex type 1 infection with symptoms including fever, sore throat and sore mouth. Once the herpes type 1 is present, fever blisters can recur throughout the person's life.

    Time Frame

    • Once a person is infected with oral herpes the virus stays present in facial nerves and can either remain dormant or be the reason for fever blister outbreaks. Initial symptoms of a fever blister, often present before the sore is visible, include an itching or burning sensation followed by swelling and redness. The blister clusters associated with fever blisters begin to appear 24 to 48 hours after the initial symptoms. The blisters will eventually break and cover over with scabs, and the fever blisters will fully heal within one to two weeks.

    Potential

    • Once the herpes simplex type 1 virus is present, the causes of fever blisters most often include stress, excessive sun exposure, illness, poor diet, menstruation and lip injury. These are all reasons for fever blisters because they weaken the body's immune system, making the body less capable of warding off the virus. While fever blisters are painful and troublesome, they seldom necessitate medical care.

    Considerations

    • While the herpes simplex type 1 virus is referred to as oral herpes, it can be spread to other parts of the body, including the eyes, skin of the fingers and genital area. Touching an oral fever blister with the hands frequently can cause the virus to spread to the fingers, as can rubbing the eyes after touching a fever blister. The virus is most often spread to the genital area through oral sex when a fever blister is present.

    Prevention/Solution

    • There is no cure for the herpes simplex type 1 virus, so the best way to avoid fever blisters is to completely avoid contact with someone who has a fever blister. Parents with fever blisters should take extra caution and avoid kissing their children, as this simple act can cause their child to be infected with the virus.
      Once the virus is present, sufferers can take precautions against further fever blister outbreaks. Avoiding sun exposure and using lip balm with sunscreen, limiting stress, and getting enough rest can all help to limit fever blister outbreaks. Antiviral creams and antiviral drugs can help to prevent fever blisters or shorten their duration, but there is no cure for the herpes simplex type 1 virus that causes fever blisters.

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