When you hear the word “herpes,” you might initially think of something alarming or embarrassing. However, herpes is simply one of many viruses that can infect the human body. These viruses don’t generally cause any serious illness, but they can sometimes result in cold sores on your face or more extensive outbreaks of blisters.
Oral Herpes Symptoms
Herpes symptoms typically emerge between 6 to 72 hours after an outbreak begins, though some individuals may harbor the virus much longer before noticing any signs. While some people experience persistent, painful recurrences of herpes throughout their life (known as recurrent herpes), others may have less severe episodes that last only a few days.
Here are some oral herpes symptoms to be aware of:
- Redness, swelling, heat, pain, or itching in your mouth or on parts of your face.
- Highly contagious fluid-filled blisters on the lips or beneath the nose.
- Formation of sores.
What Does Herpes Look Like?
Blisters associated with oral herpes most commonly appear on the lips or mouth. They can also manifest elsewhere on the face, particularly around the chin or below the nose, and even on the tongue. These bumps or pimples usually develop into pus-filled blisters before they start to heal. Once a blister bursts, clear or yellow fluid may drain from it. A yellow crust then forms over the area, which typically heals after a few days. During an outbreak, a person with oral herpes may also experience swollen lymph nodes in the neck.