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| Division of Public Health Services Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers | |
| Bureau of Infectious Disease Control REVISED –January 2018 | |
| ORAL HERPES (aka, Cold Sores) | |
| Oral herpes – which is also referred to as cold | |
| sores – is caused by a virus call herpes simplex | |
| type 1. This infection is commonly acquired for | |
| the first time in early childhood and may reappear | |
| throughout a person’s lifetime. | |
| Who gets this disease? | |
| Anyone can get oral herpes. | |
| How is it spread? | |
| Oral herpes is spread through close person- to- | |
| person contact such as direct contact with saliva | |
| or the sores (e.g., kissing). | |
| What are the symptoms? | |
| There are initial infections and in some people | |
| recurrent sores (fluid -like blisters). In young | |
| children the initial infections may not cause any | |
| symptoms or can involve many sores within the | |
| mouth, on the cheeks, lips and/or gums. The | |
| sores will crust and heal within a few days. I f the | |
| sores within the mouth are extensive, children can | |
| run a fever and refuse to drink or eat. | |
| How soon do the symptoms appear? | |
| In initial infections, it takes from 2 to 14 days | |
| from the time a person is exposed until the sores | |
| become apparent. Recurrent sores occur in | |
| individuals when the virus becomes active after | |
| being dormant. | |
| What is the treatment? | |
| Most cold sores heal in 3- 4 days without | |
| treatment. There are ointments and medications | |
| available that may shorten the healing time but | |
| there is no cure for oral herpes. It is best to check | |
| with your physician to see if treatment is | |
| indicated. | |
| How can the spread of this disease be | |
| prevented? | |
| 1. Frequent hand washing. | |
| 2. Caregivers should wear gloves when | |
| contact with sores is necessary (e.g., when | |
| applying medication). | |
| 3. Clean and disinfect mouthed toys daily or | |
| when soiled. | |
| 4. Do not kiss an infected person when | |
| lesions are present. | |
| Who should be excluded? | |
| No exclusion is necessary for mild oral herpes | |
| in children who are in control of their mouth | |
| secretions. Exclude children who do not have | |
| control of oral secretions when active sores | |
| are present inside the mouth. | |
| Reportable? | |
| No. Oral herpes is not reportable by New | |
| Hampshire law to the Division of Public | |
| Health Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease | |
| and Control . However, Public Health | |
| Professionals are available for consultation at | |
| (603) 271-4496. | |