Herpes Simplex Virus

Medical Presentation Report

Herpes Virus HSV-1

Introduction

Herpes simplex is a virus that can cause painful blisters and sores on the skin. The virus has two types, herpes simplex virus 1 or the herpes virus 2. More commonly known as HSV-1 or HSV-2, it can cause both sores on the lips (cold sores) and sores on the genitals (genital herpes). HSV-1 is more often the cause for cold sores, while HSV-2 mostly causes genital sores. Herpes is very common in the United States and affects more than one third of the world’s population. (3)

The herpes simplex virus can be transmitted by touching a sore directly, by kissing a person who has a cold sore, or by having sexual contact with a person who has sores on the genitals. It can also be transmitted from one part of the body to another, such as from a cold sore to a finger then to another part of the body. It can also be transmitted by unprotected sexual contact with a person who is infected with the virus but has no active signs of herpes. (2)

A herpes infection may cause only a single outbreak of sores, but in many cases the person will have recurrent outbreaks also called latent infections. In which the virus stays in the central nervous system and Ganglia that is located near your glands. No one knows what causes cold sores to reoccur but it can be triggered at any time by factors such as stress, fatigue, sunlight(especially on the lips), or another infection, such as a cold or flu, injury to the lips.(3)

Common Symptoms

Cold sores can be painful. They usually swell up and break open and leak clear fluid, and then crust over and disappear after about 7 to 14 days.(3)

The first time your mouth is infected with the virus, you may not experience any symptoms.

The symptoms may also be more severe the first time you develop a cold sore and less severe during later outbreaks. Symptoms may include: Mouth soreness that makes it uncomfortable to eat, drink, and sleep, or fever and a sore throat. (3)

During the first outbreak of cold sores, the blisters may spread to any part of the mouth.

Most people get the herpes virus for the first time as infants or young children. They may get the virus from a parent who has had cold sores. Though cold sores in an infant or young child often do not get noticed right away or are confused with other childhood illnesses.

Cold sores that reoccur usually develop where the skin and lip meet and often return in the same place each time.

Sometimes when you are about to develop cold sores, you may feel tingling, burning, itching, numbness, tenderness, or pain in the area where the sores are going to appear. You will normally notice these symptoms about a day before the sores are visible. (3)

Diagnosis

Your doctor can often diagnose cold sores by asking you questions about your lifestyle and exposure to certain risk factors, such as drinking alcohol, being sexually active etc. Also he can determine fairly accurately by examining your symptoms.

If the findings suggest that your problem is cold sores, you usually will not need further testing.

If it is not clear that the problem is cold sores, your doctor can take a sample of fluid from a sore and have it tested in a lab. Having the sample taken is usually not uncomfortable even if the sore is tender or painful. (4)

Herpes tests may also be used to detect the herpes simplex virus (HSV) by testing your blood to check for antibodies for HSV-1 or HSV-2 but this method can be expensive and take time. Most doctors do not prefer to use this method of testing. (4)

Treatment

Again because HSV is a virus, there is no cure for cold sores. Most cold sores will go away on their own. However, medicines can reduce the duration of cold sores and prevent a future outbreak or other symptoms. (4)

Some people choose to treat their cold sores with nonprescription treatment, while others choose prescription medications. You may also wish to try to prevent severe or repeated cold sore outbreaks with a daily vitamins regiment. (4)

Treatment will depend on whether it is a first outbreak or a recurrent problem and whether you wish to try to prevent future cold sores or treat each outbreak as it occurs. If you choose to try medications to treat your cold sores, several are available. (4)

You can use an oral antiviral medication that can be given by your doctor and may help reduce pain and healing time. Examples include Acyclovir which is a safe and proven medicine with