The herpes virus infection is a disease that is caused by the herpes virus, also known as the herpes simplex virus. It is caused by the two members of the herpes virus family, herpes virus 1 and herpes virus 2. The disease that is caused by these viruses is contagious, incurable, and is quite prevalent in today’s society.
Type 1 herpes in mainly responsible for causing infections in the mouth, the throat, the face, the eyes. Oral herpes, also called cold sores, are caused by herpes virus 1, and is the most common form of the herpes virus infection.
Herpes virus 2, on the other hand, is mainly responsible for genital herpes, the second most common manifestation of the infection. Herpes virus 1 can also cause genital herpes. Having said that, it is possible for both herpes virus 1 and herpes virus 2 to cause infection in all areas of the body.
Herpes viruses can also give rise to other more serious conditions. This happens in rare circumstances and includes herpes virus encephalitis where the brain is infected, herpes virus meningitis, and neonatal herpes where a newborn is infected by the herpes virus infected mother.
Transmission of the herpes virus infection most commonly occurs by contact with an infected individual’s blister, or contact with an infected individual’s body fluids. For example, genital herpes is transmitted by sexual intercourse. The herpes virus infection can also be transmitted by skin to skin contact with an infected and asymptomatic person. Upon contact with an previously uninfected individual, the herpes virus is able to penetrate through the skin in the genital area or mucous membranes in the mouth, or any ‘tender’ skin that may be exposed to the active virus.
Herpes virus infections range from being symptomatic with periods of remission, to mostly asymptomatic, depending on the form of infection. Asymptomatic cases are where individuals experience no symptoms. Some people, in some cases of infection with herpes virus 1, develop cold sores. Cold sores tend to take 7 to 10 days to heal. Others don’t get blisters when they become infected with the herpes virus, and instead might experience a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and a temperature.
A lot of cases of herpes simplex virus infections are asymptomatic, although the herpes viruses can still be actively reproducing in the body in what is called viral shedding. Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. It tends to be mainly asymptomatic. Infection with herpes virus can become latent, when the herpes virus hides within a nerve cell, with the potential to re-awaken. People who are more prone to complications caused by the herpes virus are those infected individuals with a weaker immune system.
Once an individual is infected with the herpes virus, they retain the virus for life. Depending on the state of the individual and whether their immune system is strong, the virus can re-awake after a period of latency, and cause symptoms all over again.
Herpes virus infection can be treated with antiviral and topical treatments. These treatments act by controlling the virus and preventing the severity of herpes virus outbreaks. They do not eliminate the virus and are not curative.
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