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Herpes simplex, often known simply as herpes, is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. [5] Herpes infections are categorized by the area of the body that is infected. The two major types of herpes are oral herpes and genital herpes, though other forms also exist. Oral herpes involves the face or mouth.
Genital herpes is a herpes infection of the genitals caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). [1] Most people either have no or mild symptoms and thus do not know they are infected. [ 1 ] When symptoms do occur, they typically include small blisters that break open to form painful ulcers . [ 1 ]
Symptoms, when they occur, may include watery blisters in the skin of any location of the body, or in mucous membranes of the mouth, lips, nose, genitals, [1] or eyes (herpes simplex keratitis). [7] Lesions heal with a scab characteristic of herpetic disease. Sometimes, the viruses cause mild or atypical symptoms during outbreaks.
About 90% of cases of herpes encephalitis are caused by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), the same virus that causes cold sores. According to a 2006 estimate, 57% of American adults were infected with HSV-1, [3] which is spread through droplets, casual contact and sometimes sexual contact, though most infected people never have cold sores.
Infection by the type 1 strain of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is most common; however, cases of oral infection by the type 2 strain are increasing. [14] Oral HSV-2 shedding is rare, and "usually noted in the context of first episode genital herpes." [21] In general, both types can cause oral or genital herpes. [22] [23] [24]
Oral and/or genital herpes, herpetic gingivostomatitis, pharyngitis, eczema herpeticum, herpetic whitlow, herpes simplex keratitis, erythema multiforme, encephalitis, as well as other herpes simplex infections: Neuron (sensory ganglia) Close contact (oral or sexually transmitted infection) HHV-2: Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) α: Mucoepithelial