Herpes Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Herpetic whitlow on the thumb Herpes simplex - close-up Herpes simplex Definition Herpes simplex is a viral infection that mainly affects the mouth or genital area. Causes, incidence, and risk factors There are two 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 many people develop it in childhood. HSV-1 often causes sores (lesions) inside the mouth, such as cold sores (fever blisters), or infection of the eye (especially the conjunctiva and cornea). It can also lead to infection of the lining of the brain (meningoencephalitis). It is transmitted by contact with infected saliva. By adulthood, 30 - 90% of people will have antibodies to HSV-1. The likelihood of childhood infection is higher among those with lower socioeconomic status. Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is usually, but not always, sexually transmitted. Symptoms include genital ulcers or sores. However, some people with HSV-2 have no symptoms. Up to 30% of adults in the U.S. have antibodies against HSV-2. Cross-infection of type 1 and 2 viruses may occur from oral-genital contact. That is, you can get genital herpes on your mouth, and oral herpes on your genital area. A finger infection, called herpetic whitlow, is another form of HSV infection. Continue reading this article

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Genital herpes (5 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection affecting the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals.Reviewer: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/13/2009
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Shingles (13 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering skin rash due to the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. See also: Ramsay Hunt syndromeReviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 06/10/2009
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Herpes labialis (74 Images) (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: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/21/2008
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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. See also: Herpes viral culture of lesionReviewer: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 09/13/2009
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Herpes viral culture of lesion (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Herpes viral culture of a lesion is a laboratory test to check if a skin sample is infected with the herpes simplex virus. See also: Genital herpes; Herpes labialis (cold sores; Serum herpes simplex antibodies.Reviewer: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/13/2009
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Herpes - resources (Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following organizations are good resources for information on genital herpes: American Social Health Association - www.ashastd.org; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-herpes.htm. Reviewer: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CRNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/20/2008
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Herpes - resources (Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following organizations are good resources for information on genital herpes: American Social Health Association - www.ashastd.org; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-herpes.htm. Reviewer: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CRNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/20/2008
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Birth-acquired herpes (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Birth-acquired herpes is a herpes virus infection that an infant gets (acquires) at the time of birth.Reviewer: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP. Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/15/2008
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