- Dermatology Unit, Conditions
Herpes
What is
What is herpes?
Herpes is a skin infection caused by a family of viruses. Within the herpes group there are several viruses, and each of them produces a different infection.
Information
Types of herpes
There are 8 viruses within the herpes family, all of them capable of causing infections in humans, although only 3 of them cause the characteristic clinical manifestation of vesicles on the skin.
These are herpesvirus type 1 (HSV-1), type 2 (HSV-2) and varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Type 1, herpes virus
It is responsible for more than 80% in the labial area (or nasolabial area). Although only a percentage of the population suffers recurrently or has ever suffered from it, if we study the general population with serologies, most of them have been in contact with the virus and consequently present positive serologies.
Type 2 HSV-2
Occurs more than 80% in the genital area. It is the most frequent sexually transmitted infection in the world. It is a painful infection in which vesicles and small round erosions appear in the genital area.
Type 3 virus, varicella zoster
It causes chickenpox after the patient’s first contact with the virus, and in subsequent reactivations it is capable of causing shingles.
How it manifests itself
Infections by herpesviruses follow a cycle consisting of the following phases: infection, latency and reactivation.
Infection occurs the first time the patient comes into contact with the virus. In the case of herpes type 1 it may go unnoticed and not cause symptoms. This can also occur with herpes type 2, although asymptomatic primary infection is less frequent. In the first contact with the varicella-zoster virus, varicella (chickenpox) occurs.
Latency is the period after infection has been acquired. The virus remains present but inactive in a nerve ganglion, and is able to reactivate to give symptoms again.
Reactivation occurs during periods of immunosuppression of the patient, either because he/she is suffering from another infection, because he/she is receiving treatments that modulate the immune system, or in the case of herpes type 1 due to multiple stimuli (exposure to the sun, period in women, stress, …). This reactivation, in the case of varicella zoster virus occurs in the form of herpes zoster, which consists of the appearance of pain following a linear path in an area of the body where vesicles grouped on red spots can later be observed, which may contain pus or be of a reddish-violet coloration.
How to prevent
In the case of herpes simplex, the important thing is to avoid contact with people with cold sores, and to avoid sexual contact with people with lesions in the genital area.
In the case of varicella zoster virus, there is a vaccine that is given to children, which prevents severe episodes of chickenpox, although its efficacy in preventing shingles is less well known.
Are they contagious?
Yes, Type 1 and 2 viruses are transmitted by direct contact or through secretions, through saliva or genital fluids respectively, and are contagious during primary infection, latency period and reactivations.
The varicella zoster virus is contagious while suffering from chickenpox, and when it reactivates in the form of herpes zoster, so that during latency periods it is not contagious.
Treatment
There are some medications indicated to treat these infections. These are indicated to shorten the duration of the lesions and to reduce the number of outbreaks. Among them we find acyclovir and valacyclovir as the most commonly used drugs.
The most effective form of use is oral (tablets), so in case of recurrent herpes, a first outbreak or the appearance of herpes zoster, consult your dermatologist who will advise you on starting treatment with these drugs.
FAQs
How does HERPES manifest itself?
Infections by herpesviruses follow a cycle consisting of the following phases: infection, latency and reactivation.
Infection occurs the first time the patient comes into contact with the virus. In the case of herpes type 1 it may go unnoticed and not cause symptoms. This can also occur with herpes type 2, although asymptomatic primary infection is less frequent. In the first contact with the varicella-zoster virus, varicella (chickenpox) occurs.
Latency is the period after infection has been acquired. The virus remains present but inactive in a nerve ganglion, and is able to reactivate to give symptoms again.
Reactivation occurs during periods of immunosuppression of the patient, either because he/she is suffering from another infection, because he/she is receiving treatments that modulate the immune system, or in the case of herpes type 1 due to multiple stimuli (exposure to the sun, period in women, stress, …). This reactivation, in the case of varicella zoster virus occurs in the form of herpes zoster, which consists of the appearance of pain following a linear path in an area of the body in which vesicles grouped on red spots can later be observed, which may contain pus or be of a reddish-violet coloration.
Are HERPES contagious?
Yes, Type 1 and 2 viruses are transmitted by direct contact or through secretions, through saliva or genital fluids respectively, and are contagious during primary infection, latency period and reactivations.
The varicella zoster virus is contagious while suffering from chickenpox, and when it reactivates in the form of herpes zoster, so that during latency periods it is not contagious.
How is HERPES prevented?
In the case of herpes simplex, the important thing is to avoid contact with people with cold sores, and to avoid sexual contact with people with lesions in the genital area.
In the case of varicella zoster virus, there is a vaccine given to children that prevents severe episodes of chickenpox, although its efficacy in preventing shingles is less well known.