Definition:
Herpes simplex is commonly known as as cold sores. It is a viral infection of the skin that arises once or return again and again. This is because when the virus is cleared from the skin by the immune system it hides in the nerves and is never wholly removed from the body. Herpes infections are very prevalent. Unfortunately those who carry the herpes virus can spread the disease without even knowing it.
Diagnosis:
Isolation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) from brain tissue after biopsy has been known to be the reference standard for the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE).
Treatment:
Unlike other sexually transmitted diseases, herpes cannot be cured because medication that will attack the virus while it lies dormant in the nerve cells will also end up damaging the nerve cells. However, there is treatment available for acute outbreaks that involves the administration of anti-viral drugs such as Acyclovir, Valaclovir or Famcyclovir.
Symptoms and Signs:
The initial episode of herpes is worse than outbreaks that come later. The predominant symptom of herpes is the outbreak of painful, itching blisters filled with fluid on and around the external sexual organs or, for oral herpes, on or very near the patient's lip. Symptoms vaguely similar to those of flu may accompany these outbreaks, including fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. There may be painful urination, and swollen and tender lymph glands in the groin area.
Causes:
There are two known types of herpes simplex viruses. HSV type 2 is the one that usually causes genital herpes. One can get HSV type 2 during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. One can get HSV-1 by coming into contact with the saliva of an infected person.
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