What is the difference between Herpes and Canker Sores?

There are a lot of people who may become confused if they have canker sores or herpes. Herpes may sometimes cause oral blisters around the mouth area. One difference between the two is that canker sores will not be contagious.

You will also find them inside your mouth so people may not even know that you are suffering from canker sores aside from the fact that you may have some trouble eating because of the pain caused by the canker sores. Cold sores, on the other hand, are usually found outside the mouth area. They can be found around the lips and they can also be very contagious.

Herpes is a medical condition that is caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus exists in two kinds which include HSV 1 and HSV 2. The mode of operation and symptoms of the two viruses are different. Herpes can be contracted through contact with body fluids, it can be contacted via skin to skin contact through which the virus can penetrate. Canker sores, on the contrary, is a type of mouth ulcer. Another name it is called is the aphthous ulcer or Sutton's disease. Canker sores bring about excruciating sores in the mouth and some other muscular linings such as the throat. While there is a treatment for canker sores, herpes can only be suppressed with the effects reduced. The prevention of herpes is by sticking to just one sexual partner and avoiding multiple sexual partners while the prevention of canker sores is by maintaining good hygiene and taking enough vitamins.

There are some people who get paranoid that they have herpes because they have canker sores. At first glance, they may look similar but these are two different conditions. People normally get canker sores when the immune system is weak or when it is trying to fight off something. There are also some people who get canker sores because of nutritional deficiency. Canker sores will normally go away on its own and you do not have to worry about infecting someone else when you have it. Herpes, on the other hand, is a sexually transmitted disease. You will always have a chance of infecting someone especially if you always have close contact with that person. The sores that you will have are caused by the herpes virus.

Some people are confused about whether they have canker sores or herpes because they may look the same in the beginning. Canker sores are not contagious, and they may appear on the mouth from time to time but not all the time. Cold sores that are also known as herpes sores are known to be contagious. The chances that a person will pass it on immediately is rather big. Canker sores can also be found inside the mouth, which means that people may not even know that you are suffering from the pain that canker sores can provide. Cold sores can be found outside the mouth. Most of them may be around your mouth area.

Herpes is a viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), and it is marked by painful, watery blisters in the mucous membranes, skin, or on the genitals. The virus causing this infection is of two types i.e., herpes simples virus 1 and 2. HSV 1 is known to because of this infection in the mouth and the surrounding area, whereas HSV 2 is the one responsible for the herpes infection that occurs on the genitals. Herpes is both contiguous and infectious and can be transmitted to another person through skin-to-skin contact. Also, it can be transmitted through sexual intercourse with an infected person. On the other hand, a canker sore is a sloughing ulcer that usually occurs in the mouth.

There are other names for it, such as aphthous stomatitis, aphthous ulcer, or Sutton’s disease. According to research, the probability of having this type of ulcer is higher in women and in men, and depending on any of its types; it can recur. Unlike herpes can subdue or suppressed, canker sores can be treated completely.