Herpes Simplex Health Article

Herpes Simplex

Virus that causes blister-like open sores, usually on the mouth or genitals of the infected person.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) exists in two known forms. HSV type 1 causes sores to erupt near the mouth; HSV type two causes sores to erupt on the genitals. HSV type 1 sores are referred to as oral herpes, cold sores, or fever blisters. Oral herpes is one of the most common viral diseases of childhood.

Prenatal stage. Prior to birth, fetuses of mothers with genital herpes are at risk for birth defects. An active genital herpes sore at the time of birth can cause extremely serious results, including blindness, birth defects, and even death. Cesarean section is advisable for mothers with active herpes eruptions at the time of delivery.

Newborn infants. Newborn babies have their mother's antibodies providing them immunity against herpes simplex virus until around six months of age.

Infancy, toddlerhood, and school- age children

Children who come into direct contact with a person with HSV may develop symptoms of HSV within two days to two weeks. Direct contact with a person with HSV is the only way the virus is spread. If a child contracts HSV, he or she should be kept away from other children and adults to avoid further spread of the disease. Early symptoms of HSV infection include pain and swelling of the gums, headache, fever, and increased saliva. Within a few days, red bumps may begin to appear in and around the mouth. Over the course of two to three weeks, the sores will develop into blisters or open sores and then crust over and heal. The first eruption of sores from HSV is termed the primary episode. As of the mid-1990s, there was no cure for HSV. The HSV virus remains dormant in the infected person's body forever, and may reactivate periodically. Future episodes are usually milder. Although there is some question about what triggers the virus to activate, stress, fatigue, allergies, some types of injuries, and sunburn seem to contribute.

Adolescence

Adolescents, like younger children, can contract oral herpes, and the course of the infection will be the same as it is in younger children. In adolescence, if the young person becomes sexually active, the risk of contracting any sexually transmitted disease (STD), including genital herpes, obviously increases. Both HSV type 1 and HSV type 2 can cause sores to form in the genital area, and in any other part of the body that might come into contact with the mouth or genitals of the infected person. As with oral herpes, genital herpes is spread by contact with an infected person around the time that sores have appeared.

Treatment. Discomfort from symptoms of HSV may be relieved with acetaminophen. Patients should avoid acidic beverages if sores are in and around the mouth. Whether on the mouth, genitals, or elsewhere, sores can be treated with acyclovir ointment. Ointments containing steroids, such as cortisone, contribute to the spread of HSV and should not be used.

Organizations

Herpes Resource Center (HRC), an affiliate of American Social
Health Association
Address: Box 100
Palo Alto, CA 94302
(Organization of and for people with genital herpes.)

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Address: 9000 Rockville Pike
NIH Building 31, Room 7A50
Bethesda, MD 20892-2520
Telephone: (301) 496-5717