Herpes simplex pictures

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) belongs to the family Herpesviridae. This family also includes the varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus (or HHV-5) and Epstein-Barr virus.

The herpes virus (HSV) has two types:

• HSV-1 accounts for 95% of oral-facial, neuro-meningeal and ophthalmic herpes. According to studies he is also responsible for 20 to 40% of genital herpes by oral-genital infection.
• HSV-2 primarily responsible for genital herpes, but 5% of oral-facial herpes.

HSV-2 is more recurrent than HSV-1, but the primary infection is more asymptomatic. The contamination is strictly inter-human for both viral types.

Over 90% of adults have been in contact with HSV. However, only a small proportion of these individuals will develop symptoms.

It seems that it is possible to be in contact with the virus without being infected, but the contagion is very strong, much stronger than for HIV.

The prevalence of herpes labialis is 80 to 90% of the total adult population. Most children under 2 years are already infected because of kisses with infected adults.

Herpes simplex inside mouth	Face herpes simplex	Simplex virus	Herpes simplex	Herpes simplex under microscop

Oral-facial herpes which is the most common form of herpes (commonly called "cold sores").

Herpes labialis: 7 to 8 times out of 10 primary goes unnoticed. Transmission occurs through direct contact with a person excretory virus, it can be excretory virus (i.e. contaminant) one to two days before the blisters appear and up to one week after their disappearance (viral shedding, symptomatic).

Genital herpes: transmission is by direct contact with a subject excreting HSV. Here asymptomatic viral shedding plays an important role, indeed symptomatic individuals abstain from sex because of pain. The prevalence of genital herpes is about 20%. More and more genital herpes are type HSV-1 to the rapid development of genital-oral sex without protection. The condom does not protect 100% of herpes because it may be located in an area not covered in condoms.