Herpes Simple (Cold Sore)

Herpes Simplex is an infectious disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

HSV is a member of the Herpesviridae family, which includes herpes simplex viruses types I and II, varicella zoster virus and herpes zoster virus. Human susceptibility to type I virus, HSV-1, is low, which is due to the presence of antibodies against it in infected individuals. HSV is transmitted by airborne droplets and also transdermally. The infection is not transmitted by shaking hands. Viruses infect the skin, mucous membranes of the upper respiratory and genitourinary tracts [1].

The main symptom of primary herpes infection is the formation of painful blisters with serous contents located in areas of skin/mucous membrane lesions. The formations can affect the mucous membrane of the mouth, lips, nose, and rashes can also appear outside places of sexual contact. After a “herpetic” rash, a persistent pain syndrome is usually associated, caused by disruption of nerve conduction by neurons infected with HSV type 1. Many people use NSAIDs as a painkiller. The development of the secondary virus is accompanied by the fusion of vesicles and an increase in the size of the lesions; they can be located deep in the dermis and epidermis [2,3].

The incubation period after infection is 5-7 days. It is possible to develop both a primary herpes infection and re-infection with an already familiar virus after 3-6 months of the post-infection period. The characteristic clinical features of herpes simplex include the fact that periods of illness alternate