Posted on April 14, 2010.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) Herpes simplex virus infection is increasingly common in the United States. Oral herpes causes cold sores around the mouth or face. Genital herpes affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area. Genital herpes is transmitted disease (STD). Herpes infections are marked by painful watery blisters in the skin or mucous membranes or the genitals. The blisters resemble those seen in Chickenpox - an infection caused by a third member of the subfamily alpha-herpesvirus, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as Human Herpes Virus 3. The lesions heal with a crust crudescent, the hallmark of herpetic disease. Herpes is a contagious disease, if the carrier is producing and releasing ("shedding") virus. It usually affects health care providers who are exposed to saliva during procedures. Sometimes young children can also contract the disease. There are two different strains of herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually associated with infections of the mouth, lips and face. It is the herpes simplex virus the most common and most people in childhood. Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted. HSV can also cause more serious systemic infections among those whose immunity is weakened.
types of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster are members of one family Herpesviridae. HSV-1 infections are spread through droplets or direct exposure to infected saliva. HSV-2 is usually transmitted by genital contact. About 90% of infected persons are seropositive for HSV-1, and about 77% of infected persons are seropositive for HSV-2. It is transmitted by contact with infected saliva. In adulthood, up to 90% of people have antibodies to HSV-1. Herpes encephalitis is a very serious disease, thought to be caused by the retrograde transmission of the virus from a peripheral site to central nervous system along an axon. It is known that the virus lies dormant in the trigeminal ganglion or fifth cranial. In rare cases the herpes simplex virus can also cause more serious infections. These include HSV meningitis, HSV encephalitis (HSV infection of the brain), neonatal herpes (HSV infection in the newborn acquired from the mother at birth).
HSV can persist in a quiescent form, but persistent known as latent infection, particularly in the nerve ganglia. Men are 20% more likely to develop recurrence of HSV-2 than women. HSV-2 affects five to 20 per cent of the population (including many people who are also infected with HSV-1). It is more often associated with genital herpes, although both viruses can cause a disease similar in both anatomic sites. Valaciclovir and famciclovir are prodrugs of aciclovir and penciclovir, respectively, with improved oral bioavailability (55% vs. 20% and 75% vs 5% respectively). Aciclovir is the recommended antiviral suppressive therapy to prevent transmission of herpes simplex in newborns. The use of valaciclovir and famciclovir, while potentially improving treatment compliance and effectiveness are still being evaluated for safety in this context. Cimetidine, a common element of heartburn medication, has been shown to reduce severity of outbreaks of herpes zoster in several different forums and provided relief of herpes simplex.
Tips Herpes Simplex Virus Treatment
1. There are several prescription antiviral medications for controlling herpes outbreaks, including aciclovir (Zovirax) and valaciclovir.
2. Docosanol (Abreva) is another treatment can be effective.
3. Tromantadine is another antiviral drug effective against herpes.
4. Lactoferrin, a component of whey protein has been shown to have a synergistic effect with aciclovir against HSV in vitro.
5. Roscovitine is.
