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Encyclopedia Home > SpecialTopic (A-Z) > Fever blisters and canker sores

Fever blisters and canker sores

Alternative Names

Canker sores and fever blisters

Information

Question:

Are fever blisters and canker sores the same thing?

Answer:

No. Canker sores occur only inside the mouth and are not contagious. They sometimes occur as a result of trauma (biting the inside of the lip, burning the mouth with hot food), but may also occur without any known reason.

Fever blisters or cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 and are very contagious. Fever blisters often come back in the same location.

Review Date: 2007-01-18
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional 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. © HealthProfessor LLC. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.