Herpes simplex is an infection that mainly affects the mouth or genital area.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
There are two different strains of herpes simplex viruses:
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually associated with infections of the lips, mouth, and face. It is the most common herpes simplex virus and most people develop it in childhood. HSV-1 often causes lesions inside the mouth, such as cold sores (fever blisters). It is transmitted by contact with infected saliva. By adulthood, up to 90% of people will have antibodies to HSV-1.
Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is sexually transmitted. Symptoms include genital ulcers or sores. In addition to oral and genital sores, the virus can also lead to complications such as infection of the lining of the brain and the brain itself (meningoencephalitis) or infection of the eye (especially the conjunctiva and cornea). However, some people have HSV-2 but do not show symptoms. Up to 30% of U.S. adults have antibodies against HSV-2. Cross-infection of type 1 and 2 viruses may occur from oral-genital contact.
A finger infection, called herpetic whitlow, is another form of herpes. It usually affects health care providers who are exposed to saliva during procedures. Sometimes, young children also can get the disease.
Herpes zoster (11 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Herpes zoster is an acute, localized infection with varicella-zoster virus, which causes a painful, blistering rash. Reviewer: Monica Gandhi MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/26/2006
Birth-acquired herpes (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Birth-acquired herpes is an infection with the herpes virus that an infant gets at the time of birth. Reviewer: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/18/2005
Corneal ulcers and infections (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The cornea is the transparent area at the front of the eyeball. A corneal ulcer is an erosion or open sore in the outer layer of the cornea. It is associated with infection by a bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite. See also corneal injury. Reviewer: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/01/2006
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