According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), herpes is an infection that is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV). Most people are familiar with the two main types of herpes--oral and genital. However, there are five other types of herpes you may not have heard about.
Herpetic Whitlow
Herpetic whitlow--also called digital herpes simplex, finger herpes or hand herpes--refers to HSV infection of the fingers or fingernails, according to the website Skinsight.com. Herpetic whitlow is usually acquired through a break in the skin of the fingers--frequently a torn cuticle--when a person's fingers come into contact with infected areas of their own or someone else's body. It is most common in children and people who work in the dental or medical fields, particularly those whose experience predates the current practice of wearing gloves. Herpetic whitlow presents somewhat differently from oral and genital herpes (see Resources for a photo link).
Herpes Gladiatorum
According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," herpes can infect almost any area of the body. Herpes gladiatorum or "mat herpes" refers to herpes infections of the skin on the chest, ears, face and hands first described among wrestlers and subsequently among martial artists. The mechanism of transmission is believed to be close proximity coupled with microscopic skin injuries sustained during wrestling. The disease can spread quickly, so people engaged in wrestling and similar sports should familiarize themselves with the appearance of herpes gladiatorum in order to identify cases as soon as they occur (see the Minnesota Department of Health link in Resources).
Herpes Keratitis
According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," an HSV infection of the eyes called keratitis or keratoconjunctivitis is the No. 1 cause of corneal blindness in the United States. Symptoms include the acute onset of eye pain, blurred vision, and inflammation of the lining of the eye. Examination by an ophthalmologist will reveal a lesion that is unique to herpes. While treatment is available, recurrences are common and many people ultimately sustain damage to the deeper structures of the eye, resulting in impaired vision and even blindness.
Herpes Encephalitis
According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," HSV accounts for 10 to 20 percent of all cases of viral encephalitis in the United States. The disease is most common in people between 5 and 30 and people over 50. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms include headache and fever for up to five days, followed by personality and behavioral changes, seizures, partial paralysis, hallucinations and altered levels of consciousness. The disease usually results in brain damage to the frontal and temporal lobes that can be severe; without treatment, more than 50 percent of cases are fatal.
Herpes Meningitis
Herpes also causes another kind of central nervous system infection, called meningitis, which is an infection of the lining of the spinal cord and brain. According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," herpes meningitis usually occurs in association with a first-time outbreak of genital herpes. Symptoms include headache, fever, stiff neck and photophobia (light bothers the eyes). Although patients with these symptoms should be seen by their health care provider, the disease usually resolves on its own after two to seven days. Permanent neurological damage is rare.
References
- MedlinePlus: Herpes Simplex
- Herpes Simplex Viruses (Chapter); L. Corey; In: "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th edition;" A.S. Fauci, E. Braunwald, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, D.L. Longer, J.L. Jameson, and J. Loscalzo (Eds); 2008
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Meningitis and Encephalitis Fact Sheet
