Herpes (What is Herpes?)

Herpes is the name given to a group of viruses which causes painful blisters and sores. It is a virus, specifically called “herpesvirus hominus”.

 Classifications of herpes are as follows: 

• Herpes simplex- causes cold sores around the mouth

• Herpes genitalis – herpes around sexual organs

• Herpes zoster- common among children; causes chickenpox and shingles

 A herpes virus is contagious and affects majority of the population worldwide. Herpes invades nerve cells and nerve endings of the spinal cord (causing genital herpes) and the nerves located at the base of the brain (causing genital herpes).

Herpes simplex virus is one of the most common viruses found in humans (HSV). It occurs as two similar yet serologically different strains, type 1 and type 2. Some factors that may precipitate recurrence of herpes simplex lesions include fever, upper respiratory tract infection, exhaustion, and nervous tension. Lesions also are more common during the menses or after direct exposure to the sun’s rays. Most persons experience the initial contact with herpes simplex virus (type 1) as young children. Lesions and blisters are usually located on the face and mouth (fever blister, cold sore), an eye (keratitis), and brain (encephalitis). The herpes simplex virus remains in the cells of the sensory nerves that supply the affected areas and cause recurrent lesions when the person is subjected to stress.

Herpes genitalis was the most important sexually transmitted disease (STD) of the 1970s.  Its chronic duration, frequent recurrences, and difficult treatment and prevention distinguished it from other STDs. It is estimated that about 400,000 to 600,000 new cases are recorded annually and is increasing exponentially. Once acquired, herpes genitalis is a lifelong disease and carries with it not only intense and recurrent discomfort, but also anxieties about future childbearing, malignancy, and sexual and marital function. Its peak incidence parallels the young age groups affected by STDs mostly caused by poor control measures and sexually active lifestyle. In early pregnancy, women infected with herpes genitalis have an increased chance of miscarriage. Genital herpes has also been associated with cervical cancer. Because genital herpetic lesions endanger the fetus during delivery, cesarean delivery is often necessary.

Herpes zoster or shingles are caused by the same virus (V-Z) that causes varicella (chickenpox). It is an acute viral infection of nerve structures causing inflammation along the pathway of one or more peripheral sensory nerves. They follow the course of peripheral sensory nerves and often are unilateral. Because they follow nerve pathways, the lesions never cross the midline of the body. Varicella is thought to be the primary infection in a non immune host, whereas herpes zoster is thought to be the response in a partially immune host. Although herpes zoster is far less communicable than chickenpox, persons who have not had chickenpox may develop it after exposure to the vesicular lesions of persons with herpes zoster. For this reason, susceptible persons should not care for patients with herpes zoster. Herpes zoster often occurs in patients with other debilitating illnesses such as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Hodgkin’s disease, tuberculosis and in some persons with lymphoid and bone cancers due to reduced cell-mediated immunity.