Fever blister causes

Information

Question:

What causes fever blisters?

Answer:

A fever blister located on the lips, mouth, and face is usually caused by the highly contagious herpes simplex type 1 virus. Only a small number are caused by herpes simplex type 2, the type usually associated with genital lesions.

There is no cure for a fever blister. However, there are medications that will relieve the pain and itchiness, and speed the healing of the blister.

See: Herpes labialis (oral herpes simplex)

References

Whitley RJ. Herpes simplex virus infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 397.