HERPESVIRUSES

- GUIDED BY : DR. ANJALI MAM

 What is herpes simplex?
• Herpes simplex is a virus that causes skin infections.
• The infection lasts your lifetime, and it causes painful or itchy sores and blisters that come and go.
• Herpes simplex virus typically doesn’t cause severe problems. But it can be dangerous in infants
and people with weakened immunesystem.
• There are two types of herpes simplex:
• Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes) tends to affect your mouth or face. It
causes cold sores. HSV-1 spreads through contact with saliva (spit).
• Herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes) is a sexually
transmitted infection(STI). It causes sores on skin that comes in contact with the
genitals of an infected person.
• Sometimes a herpes infection can affect other parts of your body, such as your eyes or other parts
of your skin.
 STRUCTURE
• The herpesvirus capsid is icosahedral composed of 162 capsomeres, and enclosing
the core containing the linear double stranded DNA genome.
• The nucleocapsid is surrounded by the lipid envelope derived from the modified
host cell nuclear membrane through which the naked virions bud during
replication.
• The envelope carries surface spikes about 8nm long.
• Between the envelope and capsid is an amorphous structure called the tegument,
containing several proteins.
• The enveloped virions measures about 200nm and the naked virions about 100nm
in diameter.
 Who gets HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes?

• Anyone can get HSV-1. Most people contract HSV-1 during childhood. It
spreads when an adult who has the virus has close contact with a child,
such as when a family member kisses a child.
Who gets HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes?

• Genital herpes affects sexually active teens and adults of all genders
and races. It can spread if you have multiple sexual partners and don’t
use condoms or dental dams.
 How does herpes simplex spread?

• Herpes spreads through close contact with a person who has the
infection.
• The virus can be found in skin and saliva. If you have herpes simplex,
you are most likely to pass the virus to another person when you have
sores.
• But you can infect someone else even if you have no symptoms.
Healthcare providers call this asymptomatic viral shedding.
 People may get HSV-1 through

• Kissing.
• Touching a person’s skin near the mouth.
• Sharing food utensils, lip balm or razors.
• If you receive oral sex from someone who has a cold sore, it may spread
a herpes infection to your genitals.
 People may get HSV-2 through

• Touching open sores, including while breastfeeding

• Childbirth by a mother or gestational parent who has an active
infection.
• Intercourse, including anal, vaginal-penile and vaginal-vaginal.
• Oral sex (giving or receiving) with someone who’s infected.
• Skin-to-skin contact without ejaculation.
 What are the symptoms of herpes simplex?

• Cold sores around their lips, mouth or tongue. They may look crusty or
like fluid-filled blisters.
• Sores on their genitals or around their anus.
• Tingling , itching or burning.
• Fever , swollen lymph nodes or muscle aches.
• Pain while urinating.
 Treatment
• Blisters typically improve on their own, without medical treatment. But if
you experience severe or frequent outbreaks, a doctor or clinician can
prescribe antiviral medications. Antivirals can help reduce the number of
episodes you experience and ease the severity of your symptoms.
• Options include:
• Acyclovir
• Famciclovir
• valacyclovir
• foscarnet or cidofovir for HSV infections that resist other medications
• Antiviral medications can also help lower your chances of transmitting the
virus during an episode or shedding it when you don’t have symptoms.