| Mr. Ibrahem/Herpes simplex | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Cold sores, fever blisters |
 | |
| Herpes labialis of the lower lip. Note the blisters in a group marked by an arrow. | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Blisters that break open and form small ulcers, fever, swollen lymph nodes[1] |
| Duration | 2–4 weeks[1] |
| Causes | Herpes simplex virus spread by direct contact[1] |
| Risk factors | Decreased immune function, stress, sunlight[2][3] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, PCR, viral culture[1][2] |
| Medication | Aciclovir, valaciclovir, paracetamol (acetaminophen), topical lidocaine[1][2] |
| Frequency | 60–95% (adults)[4] |
Herpes simplex is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus.[1] Infections are categorized based on the part of the body infected.[5] Oral herpes involves the face or mouth.[5] It may result in small blisters in groups often called cold sores or fever blisters or may just cause a sore throat.[2][6] Genital herpes, often simply known as herpes, may have minimal symptoms or form blisters that break open and result in small ulcers.[1] These typically heal over two to four weeks.[1] Tingling or shooting pains may occur before the blisters appear.[1] Herpes cycles between periods of active disease followed by periods without symptoms.[1] The first episode is often more severe and may be associated with fever, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes and headaches.[1] Over time, episodes of active disease decrease in frequency and severity.[1] Other disorders caused by herpes simplex include: herpetic whitlow when it involves the fingers,[7] herpes of the eye,[8] herpes infection of the brain,[9] and neonatal herpes when it affects a newborn, among others.[10]
There are two types of herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2).[1] HSV-1 more commonly causes infections around the mouth while HSV-2 more commonly causes genital infections.[2] They are transmitted by direct contact with body fluids or lesions of an infected individual.[1] Transmission may still occur when symptoms are not present.[1] Genital herpes is classified as a sexually transmitted infection.[1] It may be spread to an infant during childbirth.[1] After infection, the viruses are transported along sensory nerves to the nerve cell bodies, where they reside lifelong.[2] Causes of recurrence may include: decreased immune function, stress, and sunlight exposure.[2][3] Oral and genital herpes is usually diagnosed based on the presenting symptoms.[2] The diagnosis may be confirmed by viral culture or detecting herpes DNA in fluid from blisters.[1] Testing the blood for antibodies against the virus can confirm a previous infection but will be negative in new infections.[1]
The most effective method of avoiding genital infections is by avoiding vaginal, oral, and anal sex.[1] Condom use decreases the risk.[1] Daily antiviral medication taken by someone who has the infection can also reduce spread.[1] There is no available vaccine[1] and once infected, there is no cure.[1] Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and topical lidocaine may be used to help with the symptoms.[2] Treatments with antiviral medication such as aciclovir or valaciclovir can lessen the severity of symptomatic episodes.[1][2]
Worldwide rates of either HSV-1 or HSV-2 are between 60% and 95% in adults.[4] HSV-1 is usually acquired during childhood.[1] Rates of both increase as people age.[4] Rates of HSV-1 are between 70% and 80% in populations of low socioeconomic status and 40% to 60% in populations of improved socioeconomic status.[4] An estimated 536 million people worldwide (16% of the population) were infected with HSV-2 as of 2003 with greater rates among women and those in the developing world.[11] Most people with HSV-2 do not realize that they are infected.[1] The name is from Ancient Greek: ἕρπης herpēs, which is related to the meaning "to creep", referring to spreading blisters.[12] The name does not refer to latency.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Genital Herpes – CDC Fact Sheet". cdc.gov. December 8, 2014. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Balasubramaniam, R; Kuperstein, AS; Stoopler, ET (April 2014). "Update on oral herpes virus infections". Dental Clinics of North America. 58 (2): 265–80. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2013.12.001. PMID 24655522.
- ^ a b Elad S; Zadik Y; Hewson I; et al. (August 2010). "A systematic review of viral infections associated with oral involvement in cancer patients: a spotlight on Herpesviridea". Support Care Cancer. 18 (8): 993–1006. doi:10.1007/s00520-010-0900-3. PMID 20544224.
- ^ a b c d Chayavichitsilp P, Buckwalter JV, Krakowski AC, Friedlander SF (April 2009). "Herpes simplex". Pediatr Rev. 30 (4): 119–29, quiz 130. doi:10.1542/pir.30-4-119. PMID 19339385. Archived from the original on 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2020-07-11.
- ^ a b James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020). "19. Viral diseases". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. pp. 362–370. ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6. Archived from the original on 2022-06-04. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ Mosby (2013). Mosby's Medical Dictionary (9 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 836–37. ISBN 9780323112581. Archived from the original on 2017-09-06.
- ^ Wu, IB; Schwartz, RA (March 2007). "Herpetic whitlow". Cutis. 79 (3): 193–06. PMID 17674583.
- ^ Rowe, AM; St Leger, AJ; Jeon, S; Dhaliwal, DK; Knickelbein, JE; Hendricks, RL (January 2013). "Herpes keratitis". Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 32: 88–101. doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2012.08.002. PMC 3529813. PMID 22944008.
- ^ Steiner, I; Benninger, F (December 2013). "Update on herpes virus infections of the nervous system". Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. 13 (12): 414. doi:10.1007/s11910-013-0414-8. PMID 24142852.
- ^ Stephenson-Famy, A; Gardella, C (December 2014). "Herpes Simplex Virus Infection During Pregnancy". Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 41 (4): 601–14. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2014.08.006. PMID 25454993.
- ^ Looker, KJ; Garnett, GP; Schmid, GP (October 2008). "An estimate of the global prevalence and incidence of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection". Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 86 (10): 805–12, A. doi:10.2471/blt.07.046128. PMC 2649511. PMID 18949218.
- ^ Beswick, TSL (1962). "The Origin and the Use of the Word Herpes". Med Hist. 6 (3): 214–232. doi:10.1017/S002572730002737X. PMC 1034725. PMID 13868599.
- ^ Reese, Vail. "Countering Creeping Confusion: A Proposal to Re-Name Herpes Virus TAXONOMY". Online Journal of Community and Person-Centered Dermatology. Dr. David Elpern. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.