Synonyms
medical: herpes labialis, English: lip herpes
Introduction
Lip herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), so it is a viral infection. There are two different viruses that are responsible for triggering cold sores, the herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (or human herpes virus 1 and 2). Both viruses belong to the Herpesviridae family and contain a genome (DNA) consisting of deoxyribonucleic acids. Since the genome of these viruses, just like that of humans, consists of two strands running in opposite directions (double strand DNA), mutants of the herpes simplex virus are extremely rare. The genome of both virus types is surrounded by a protective capsule, which ensures that the viruses have a high resistance to soaps and mild disinfectants.
Transmission
The first infection (primary infection) usually occurs very early in life, most people are infected with the herpes virus in childhood. The virus first enters the organism through the mucous membrane, it breaks through the mucous membrane cells and then multiplies at a rapid rate. The “new” herpes viruses can then escape from the mucosal cells (which act as so-called host cells of the herpes virus) and cause the typical symptoms.
The special thing about the viruses that trigger cold sores is that they can penetrate the nerve fibers and reach the nerve cells (neuron) via these fibers. Once there, they colonize the neuron and survive (persist) there for a long time without the patient showing visible lip herpes symptoms. Herpes is transmitted through contact with infectious secretions from herpes blisters.
It is a droplet or smear infection. A classic route of transmission is kissing a person who has just developed symptomatic lip herpes. The virus is often transmitted in childhood.
Often relatives, especially parents, transmit the herpes by kissing their child. Indirect contact with the secretion can also transmit the herpes. If those affected touch their lips carelessly and then touch other people, this can already lead to transmission.
Contact with infectious herpes blisters should therefore be avoided. In the case of symptomatic lip herpes there is a high risk of infection for people who are not yet infected with the herpes simplex virus type 1. Infants and toddlers have the greatest risk of infection, as over 85% of adults are already infected with the virus.
The contents of the herpes blisters contain a highly contagious secretion that can lead very quickly to transmission. There does not necessarily have to be direct contact with the secretion and the vesicles; indirect contact is sufficient for an infection. People with active cold sores should therefore wash their hands more often or even disinfect them if they have contact with small children and newborns.
Blisters are also known as cold sores. You can read about how contagious fever blisters are in the next article: How contagious are fever blistersLip herpes is in principle a contagious disease, but most people are already infected with the virus in adulthood. The virus remains dormant in the body for a lifetime, even if it causes no symptoms.
Therefore the risk of infection in adults is ultimately not so high. Contact with small children, on the other hand, should be avoided with a symptomatic cold sore, as they are usually not yet infected with the virus and can therefore become infected. How long the herpes is contagious also depends on the individual course and treatment of the lip herpes.
As a rule, lip herpes usually takes between 8 and 14 days to heal completely. To be on the safe side, you should not have close contact with risk groups such as newborns and small children until the disease has healed completely. However, due to internal therapy with antiviral agents, the duration of infection can also be reduced. To be on the safe side, one should consult a doctor more closely.
