fever blister, cold sore?

[AmandasMom]

My 9 year old daughter had a high fever and several vomiting episodes a few days ago, and while she was in bed, I noticed her bottom lip getting larger and larger. Now she has a large blister on that lip. Googling "fever blister" brings u HERPES! My 9 year old can't have herpes, sheesh! So someone please tell me her lip is because of her fever and it iwlll go away and it's not herpes?@ she's only 9, never kissed anyone but family

[Doodlebugsmom]

The herpes virus that causes cold sores is usually a different strand from the one that causes gential herpes.

[Addy's Mom]

Yeah, there are a million types of herpes viruses, that cause things like chicken pox, mono, and roseola.

If it is a cold sore, you can try to minimize further breakouts with diet, avoiding arginine rich foods like chocolate, seeds, nuts, and adding lots of lysine rich foods (or even supplements).

[lovebug]

it is herpes. and the poster above me has great advice. this is a diff strain from gen herpes, but it can be transfered from the lips to the genitals and eyes, but they are not the same thing to begin with... more of an FYI.

good luck! i take super lysine and it works wonders!

[Theia]

I just wanted to add that this is very contagious. She should not share drinks, towels, kiss etc. during an infection until it is gone (scab and all to be completely safe). I got the virus apparently from my mother when I was a child, she apparently didn't know it was contagious. Make sure she washes her hands a lot and doesn't touch it, or lick it. If she or you do touch it to apply ointment or something be sure to wash well with hot soapy water afterwards. Also, my lips are now very sensitive to sun exposure, and during an outbreak I can't stand to feel sunlight (or any heat) on the blister. It really burns.

I find lysine cream to be helpful applied to the blister. HBalm is a good preventative that I've used. Actually I've used and liked both the HBalm Daily and the outbreak version. EO of melissa aka lemon balm is also a good anti-viral for cold sores (its in HBalm). Be careful with the EO because it is strong but that worked great for me. I manage mine now mostly through diet, like avoiding wheat is huge for me, and also keeping my stress levels low emotionally and physically.

I am sorry. These things are an awful thing to live with.

[AmandasMom]

Ok, now I'm freaked out. She has a disease that she got from someone else and she will have this for the rest of her life? How did this happen? When I think herpes, I think STD. I've never seen anyone with a cold sore before, is it possible to have the disease and pass it along with out knowing you have it? I'm freaked out because she's 9! You don't need to kiss anyone to get it? So some kid at school or basketball practice could have it and she touched something they did and got it? Should I take her to the Dr?

[lovebug]

Originally Posted by AmandasMom

Ok, now I'm freaked out. She has a disease that she got from someone else and she will have this for the rest of her life? How did this happen? When I think herpes, I think STD. I've never seen anyone with a cold sore before, is it possible to have the disease and pass it along with out knowing you have it? I'm freaked out because she's 9! You don't need to kiss anyone to get it? So some kid at school or basketball practice could have it and she touched something they did and got it? Should I take her to the Dr?

the jury is out if you can pass it without having a out break. i have them and have been with my DH for 8 yeas not and he does not have it that we know of. i dont kiss him if i have an out break. and no you dant have to kiss to get it. sharing a cup, water bottle or anything with someone with an outbreak can transfer it.

you can take her to the DR, but unless she gets them OFTEN there is not much they can do. changing diet and using lysine is what works best for me. there are some RXs that work well, but the OTC stuff works best for me.

s mama its not a fun thing to live with, but this might be her only outbreak. you just never know, it effects everyone diff.

[Addy's Mom]

Up to 90% of adults have antibodies to the cold sore virus. Unfortunately it's very common.

[AmandasMom]

I've explained to my daughter whatyou guys have said. She seems ok with it. I'm wondering if there is any better excuse for her to say to the kids in school other then "my little brother elbowed me when we were playing"? I certainly don't want her to be known as the kid who has "cooties".

[lovebug]

when does she return to school? i use to just say "i got it after a super high fever! but it will go away in a few days. but i dont want to share my glass (or whatever) because i might still be sick. sharing cups is not a good idea anyway"

i am sure she is not alone! s

[leaveit2beeker]

I use tea tree oil on my cold sores.

[mommy2chloerae]

I got my first fever blister at 1 year old, herpes doesn't automatically = STD so yes it's possible. I get mine under my eyebrow though.

[Annie Mac]

AmandasMom: I can't really add too much more in the way of info to what the previous posters have written, but just wanted to to say it's really no big deal. I'm honestly amazed that you have made it adulthood without ever seeing a cold sore on someone. They're extremely common, and as another poster said, about 90% of the population carries the herpes virus in some way, shape or form. It's no cause for shame whatsoever, any more than catching a cold would be. Personally, if it were my daughter, I wouldn't tell her to lie about it. I think that would create the feeling of it being something wrong, something to hide. And it's not. Just say "it's a cold sore." No need to say anything more. Most people (adults too, not just children), simply accept the words "cold sore" or "fever blister" as fully explaining the matter, and don't need any further explanation as to the actual pathology. And she didn't necessarily to to kiss anyone to get it, it could have been from sharing food, or any number of things.