| General
Illness Information |
Medical
Term: |
HERPES SIMPLEX |
|
Common
Name: |
Cold Sores, Fever Blister
|
| Description: |
A common, contagious virus (herpes
simplex or HSV-1) infection. Usually involves the lips; gums and
mouth area; cornea (rare); occasionally genitals.
|
| Causes: |
| It is a herpes virus , a DNA virus of two
major types: HSV1 and HSV2; most often HSV1 is associated with
oral lesions and HSV2 with genital lesions but reverse occurs
also , often remaining dormant for months or years before
causing active inflammation. Most persons develop antibodies
that control the virus unless risk factors (below)
develop. |
| The virus is transmitted by person-to-person
contact or by contact with saliva, stools, urine or discharge
from an infected eye. The blisters and ulcers of herpes
simplex are contagious until they heal, both in the first and
in succeeding flare-ups. | Usual course of primary disease is 2 weeks; duration of
recurrences varies; viral shedding in recurrence is briefer than
with primary disease. Newborns or individuals with immune compromise
are at risk for complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia, or
disseminated infection.
|
| Prevention: |
| Avoid physical contact with others who have
active lesions. |
| Wash your hands often during flare-ups
to avoid spreading the
virus. | |
| Signs
& Symptoms |
 |
Small, painful blisters usually around the
mouth, but sometimes on the genitals. Blisters are grouped
together and each surrounded by a big red ring. They fill with
fluid, then dry up and disappear. |
|
If the eye is infected: Eye pain and redness;
feeling that something is in the eye; sensitivity to light;
and tearing. | |
| Risk
Factors |
|
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
| The
appearance of the typical lesion is usually diagnostic,
however, a laboratory study may be done of fluid from the sore
for confirmation. |
| General
Measures: |
|
Drink cool liquids or suck frozen
juice bars to reduce discomfort. |
|
Apply an ice cube for 1 hour during the first
24 hours after lesion appears. This may make it heal more
quickly. |
|
Intermittent cool moist dressings with
Domeboro or Burrow's solution |
|
Don't rub or scratch an infected
eye. |
|
To prevent flare-ups, use zinc oxide or
sun-screen preparations on your lips when you spend much time
outdoors. | |
| Medications: |
|
Use acetaminophen to relieve minor
pain. Don't use aspirin. The use of aspirin during some viral
illnesses may lead to Reye's syndrome, a form of
encephalitis. |
|
Don't try to treat an infected eye
especially with cortisone ointments or drops. Cortisone
preparations promote growth of the herpes virus in the
cornea. |
|
Antiviral topical (Zovirax) or oral
medication (Acyclovir) may be prescribed. Antibiotic ointment
if lesions become infected with bacteria may be
prescribed. |
|
Oral medication may occasionally be
recommended continuously to prevent frequent episodes. For
chronic suppression in persons with frequent recurrences - 400
mg of acyclovir given twice
daily. | |
| Activity: |
|
No restrictions, except to avoid close contact
especially kissing or oral sex until lesions heal.
Avoid contact with newborns or patient who are
taking immunosuppresant drugs (they are more susceptible to
infection). | |
| Diet: |
|
Avoid
acidic foods if lesions in the mouth
. | |
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Permanent vision impairment, if
herpes eye infections are untreated. |
|
Severe, widespread infection in
patient with eczema. |
|
Meningitis or encephalitis
(rare). | |
| Prognosis |
| Spontaneous recovery in
a few days to a week, occasionally longer. Recurrence is
common. The virus remains in the body for life, but it is
usually dormant. Research continues in developing a
vaccine. | |
| Other |
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