What Are the Causes of Joint Pain & Fever Blister?
- Fever blisters usually occur on the mouth.seduction of a lady"s kiss image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com
Fever blister, or "cold sore," on the mouth and face is generally caused by herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1) while genital lesions are generally the result of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV2) virus, though both can cause lesions on the face and genitals. The virus enters the body through the mucus membranes of the mouth, eye, vagina, or penis during kissing or sex and begins to replicate. It then migrates to a nerve root (ganglion), where it hides and remains dormant. - Once inside the body, the herpes virus does not go away. From time to time events within the body "awaken" the dormant virus and it "reactivates." These include illness, fever, exposure to the sun, menstruation and trauma, including surgery. The virus travels back along the nerve to the surface of the skin, causing itching or tingling and blisters. Sometimes there are no symptoms, but the virus is active and can be spread from person to person.
- Joint pain is caused by inflammation of the spinal cord.man image by Dudin from Fotolia.com
All of the herpes viruses, including HSV1 and HSV2, can cause joint pain; according to the Transverse Myelitis Association the medical term for this type of joint pain is myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). The joints themselves are not inflamed or infected, but inflammation in the spinal cord interferes with the nerves carrying messages to and from the spinal cord. These nerves send signals up the spinal cord to the brain, which interprets it as pain. The level of the inflammation of the spinal cord determines the joint in which pain is felt. - As of 2010, there is no cure for herpes. Once infected, the virus will remain in the body and cannot be eliminated. Medical treatment is direct toward reducing the painful symptoms and speeding healing of external sores using medicines such as acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. Simple analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help, as can simple methods such as cool compresses, warm baths and keeping the affected area clean and dry
- Protect yourself and others.Kondom image by Beate Gube from Fotolia.com
The simple answer to this is that anyone who has been infected with herpes can spread the virus. Adults, particularly elderly people, frequently develop shingles after contact with children with chicken pox (herpes varicella-zoster).
There are methods to avoid spreading the virus, and most of these are simple common sense. If you have open sores, avoid direct contact with others, particularly newborn babies. Simply refrain from kissing them and avoid touching them unless you have just washed your hands.
Tell your partner, avoid sex when the disease is active and always use a condom. Even the cold sore can infect the genitals, so refrain from oral sex.
