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.
Genital herpes (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection affecting the skin of the genitals. Reviewer: Kenneth M. Wener, M.D., Department of Infectious Diseases, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/01/2007
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
Herpes labialis (oral Herpes simplex) (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Herpes labialis is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It leads to the development of small and usually painful blisters on the skin of the lips, mouth, gums, or lip area. These blisters are commonly called cold sores or fever blisters. Reviewer: Hilary M. Babcock, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/15/2006
Serum herpes simplex antibodies (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Serum herpes simplex antibodies is a blood test that looks for antibodies to the herpes simplex virus. Reviewer: Mark Levin, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 06/08/2007
Herpes viral culture of lesion (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Herpes viral culture of a lesion is a test to confirm the presence of herpes simplex virus¿in a skin sore. Reviewer: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 02/10/2006
Tzanck test (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The Tzanck test is a method of testing sores for the herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores, fever blister, or genital sores), or varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and "shingles. Reviewer: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 02/10/2006
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
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