The herpes simplex virus is a highly contagious virus that is spread through direct contact with a lesion or sore, or with viral particles that an infected person sheds. The virus can be transmitted via infected bodily fluids, or passed to a fetus during pregnancy or during the birthing process. Herpes simplex virus is categorized into two types, herpes simplex virus, type 1, or HSV-1, and herpes simplex virus, type 2, or HSV-2.
Primary Versus Recurrent
A phenomenon of the herpes virus is its ability to hibernate, or become inactive, within the body, according to Dr, Richard Hunt,of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. This allows it to "hide" from the immune system and to return later to cause an outbreak. During the first, or primary, outbreak, the immune system has no antibodies against the virus, and so first outbreaks tend to be more severe than subsequent ones.
Self-Inoculation
First infections are not always severe, however. In most cases, according to Skin Sight, the newly infected individual does not even know he is infected because he doesn't experience signs or symptoms. Because of the individual's lack of awareness, and the resultant lack of precautions, that person can spread the virus to someone else, or from one body part to another.
Herpes Whitlow
Herpes whitlow, also called herpetic whitlow, or digital herpes simplex, is a case of herpes on the finger, hand or wrist. The virus enters through small tears in the skin, often around the cuticle, and can cause painful lesions, or blisters, according to Skin Sight. HSV-1 causes the majority of herpetic whitlow infections--about 60 percent--while HSV-2 causes the remainder. While it can affect people of all ages and races, herpes whitlow is most prevalent in children, as well as in dental and medical workers.
Ocular Herpes
Ocular herpes, which is herpes of the eye, or herpetic eye disease, develops in a number of ways. A person who carries viral particles on his hands, and who touches his eyes, can transfer the virus manually. The disease can also spread internally. When the herpes virus hibernates, it does so in the nervous system. After a primary oral infection, the virus retreats to a center of nerves near the ear, called the trigeminal ganglion. When it reactivates, the virus follows the nerves back to the skin, often though not always, to the site of primary infection. The virus can follow nerve pathways to an eye. When it does, it can cause an infection that ranges from superficial, with little impact on vision, to severe, with vision loss or blindness, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center.
Neo-natal Herpes
Herpes affects people of all ages, as well as fetuses. While the incidence is small, the virus can transfer through the placenta from a mother to a fetus. It can also infect a baby during birth and delivery. Neonatal herpes often is devastating, leading to skin complications, which can include lesions. The condition also can affect the central nervous system, causing seizures and usually death. The mortality rate in untreated infants with widespread infection is greater than 80 percent, according to the University of Washington Academic Medical Center. In treated infants, the mortality rate drops to 57 percent.
