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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 can be spread by viral shedding prior to and following the formation of ulcers. The risk of spread between a couple is about 7.5% over a year (for unprotected sex). [ 6 ] The likelihood of transferring genital herpes from one person to another is decreased by external condom use by 50%, by internal condom by 50%, and refraining ...
Herpes simplex viruses can affect areas of skin exposed to contact with an infected person. An example of this is herpetic whitlow, which is a herpes infection on the fingers; it was commonly found on dental surgeon's hands before the routine use of gloves when treating patients.
Rarely, treated individuals can have relapse of infection weeks to months later. There is evidence that aberrant inflammation triggered by herpes simplex can result in granulomatous inflammation in the brain, which responds to steroids. [16] While the herpes virus can be spread, encephalitis itself is not infectious.
Nine herpesvirus types are known to primarily infect humans, [7] at least five of which are extremely widespread among most human populations, and which cause common diseases: herpes simplex 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2, also known as HHV-1 and HHV-2; both of which can cause orolabial and genital herpes), varicella zoster (VZV or HHV-3; the cause ...
Herpes meningitis is typically self-limiting over 2 weeks without treatment. However, empirical use of antiviral medications such as acyclovir are considered in cases of suspected HSV meningitis to prevent progression to the more rapid and fatal HSV meningoencephalitis. [7] HSV-2 is the most common herpes virus that causes meningitis. [3]