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 (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection affecting the skin of the genitals.Herpes- genital; Herpes simplex- genital; Herpesvirus 2; HSV-2.Herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) Herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV-2).HSV-1, the virus respo...Reviewer: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy, ELS. Previously reviewed by Kenneth M. Wener, MD, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (11/1/2007).Date: 04/07/2008
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Herpes zoster (11 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Herpes zoster(shingles) is a painful, blistering skin rash due to acute infection with the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox.Reviewer: 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: 06/19/2008
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Herpes labialis (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. 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.Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine(antisept...Reviewer: Mark Levin, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 06/08/2007
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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.Culture- herpes simplex virus; Herpes simplex virus culture.A sample from a skin lesion(often a genital sore) or blister is n...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: 12/03/2007
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Herpes - resources (1 Image) (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 (1 Image) (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.Newborn infants can become infected with herpes virus:.In the uterus( intrauterine herpes-- this is very rare) Passing through the birth canal(bir...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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Genital herpes (HSV 2) and teens in Teen Health 411 - 3 years 96 days ago

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Zostavax for Herpes Zoster (Shingles) in Medicine for the Outdoors - 3 years 21 days ago

Zostavax is a new vaccine to reduce the risk for herpes zoster(HZ), commonly known as shingles, in elder adults. It is given as a single subcutaneous injec... Email  |  Save

Cytomegalovirus (CMV): Common and Confusing in Fruit of the Womb - 3 years 59 days ago

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