Medical Health Encyclopedia

Fever blister

< back

A fever blister is a sore from an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, characterized by an eruption of small and usually painful blisters on the skin of the lips, mouth, gums, or the skin around the mouth. A fever blister is highly contagious. A canker sore is a benign, open sore in the mouth, which appears as a painful white or yellow sore (ulcer) surrounded by a bright red area, which is not contagious. A fever blister is very different from a canker sore, although they both develop in close proximity in area of the mouth.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Text Continues Below