Initial redness, swelling, heat/pain or itching may develop in the area where the infection will erupt. The following are the most common signs and symptoms of a recurring oral herpes simplex virus infection. Some people never have any additional outbreaks beyond the initial infection. Recurring infections tend to be much milder, and the sores usually erupt on the edges of the lips. During the initial infection, sores can occur on and around the lips and throughout the mouth. However, some people have no symptoms at all. It may cause severe, flu-like symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes and headache. The initial (primary) infection of oral herpes is usually the worst. Since oral herpes is spread through direct, physical contact, the best method of prevention is to avoid physical contact with a person’s herpes sores when they are having an outbreak. You can catch oral herpes by engaging in intimate or personal contact (e.g., kissing or oral sex) with someone who is infected. Oral herpesis spread most commonly from individuals with an active outbreak or sore. While some people never develop any symptoms from the virus, others will have periodic outbreaks of infections. When inactive, the virus lies dormant in a group of nerve cells.

Once infected, a person will have herpes simplex virus for the rest of his or her life.

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 90 percent of adults have been exposed to the virus by age 50. Whether you call it a cold sore or a fever blister, oral herpes is a common infection of the mouth area that is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

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