Oral herpes
(continued)
When to seek medical advice
- Because the sores are painful, you may have difficulty eating or drinking. Toprevent dehydration, speak to your doctor or practice nurse if you find yourself unable to eat or drink.
- Ring your surgery immediately if any of these symptoms, which suggestdehydration, occur:
- A decrease in urination (or fewer wet nappies in infants)
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
- Also seek medical advice if you or your children are not sure what the sores are.
- If your child is younger than six weeks, seek medical advice as soon as sores appear. Severe infection or disease complications occur more commonly in infants. For instance, besides affecting the mouth, the herpes simplex virus may infect the brain and cause damage there.
- People whose immune systems are weakened should also seek medical advice as soon as sores appear. Your immune system protects you from infection or fights infection. If your system is weakened, you are more likely to have a severe infection or disease complications.
When to go to hospital
- Signs and symptoms of dehydration may warrant going to a hospital A&E department.
