There are two types of herpes viruses, type 1 and type 2. Although type 1 is usually associated with lesions on the face and the central nervous systems, and type 2 is associated with genital infection, each can cause disease anywhere in the body. The virus causes an initial infection after exposure and then lies dormant until it reactivates. There is no cure for herpes infections, but antiviral drugs can suppress reactivation.
The name herpes is short for herpes simplex, which includes many different types of the herpes virus including HSV1. This form of the herpes virus is responsible for cold sores on the mouth or nose. However, herpes simplex 2 is...
It is often found wrapping around the body from the middle of the breastbone to the back but can be found anywhere. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Mouth herpes, cold sores, and herpes labialis all refer to the herpes simplex virus. Two types of herpes simplex virus exist: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is associated with the mouth area. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser...
Herpes in the eye, also referred to as herpes zoster or shingles, usually infects the cornea of one eye. In early signs of the condition, the cornea--the front, outer portion of the eye--may appear slightly cloudy. Vision may a...
Herpes is an infectious disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. Type 1 herpes simplex virus causes oral blisters and is spread via contact with the saliva or open sores of infected persons. Type 2 herpes simplex virus cause...
Depending on the type of contact and the location of transmission, the infection may develop in different areas of the body. The Merck Manual explains that after herpes enters the body and causes a primary infection, it travels...
To evade the immune system, the virus "hides out" inside the nervous system, where it establishes "latency," or a period of inactivity. Of the eight types of herpes that infect humans, some only cause a one-time outbreak. Ot...
Of the 25 or so known herpes strains, eight can infect human beings, according to the Merck Manuals. The most common of the diseases caused by a herpes infection in humans include chickenpox, genital herpes and oral herpes. I...
Herpes is a family of viruses that causes a range of diseases, from a cold sore on the lips to dangerous diseases such as mononucleosis. There are eight herpes viruses that affect humans. In the eyes, herpes simplex virus, typ...
A virus causes genital herpes and most individuals with an infection don't have any symptoms or only experience minimal symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they appear as one or several blisters occurring on or around the genital...
Herpes infections in the eye can cause serious vision complications. Herpes zoster and herpes simplex type 1 infections can both affect the eyes. Any sign of herpes infection around the eyes should be treated promptly by medica...
Herpes simplex is the virus that causes genital herpes and oral herpes (cold sores). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of every 5 women and 1 out of every 9 men has contracted genital her...
Two main types of herpes exist, herpes simples 1 (HSV1) and simplex 2 (HSV2). Herpes simplex 1 causes outbreaks on the mouth, while herpes simplex 2 affects the genitals, buttocks and the cervix (in women). Both infections can ...
Herpes is generally a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes zoster virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that herpes is a fairly common disease and affects one out of every six peop...
Herpes simplex type 1 is a virus that commonly affects the eye. Eye infections caused by herpes are recurrent and can cause not only inflammation but also damage to the cornea. According to the National Eye Institute, nearly 40...
Herpes simplex is a virus that can be referred to as HSV 1, which is responsible for cold sores, and HSV 2, which is responsible for genital herpes. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, once you are infected with t...
Herpes can affect either the genitals or the mouth area. In each case the symptoms are similar: red patches that itch or tingle, followed a day or two of blisters that last a few days and then break open. The open lesions left ...