Diseases

Herpes Simplex infection

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Medical definition of herpes. Herpes: a family of viruses. Herpes also Refers toinfection with one of the human herpesviruses, especially herpes simplex types 1 and 2. Herpes Simplex type 1, also known as human herpesvirus 1 (hhv-1), causes cold sores and fever blisters in the mouth and around it.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms may include sores and blisters at the affected site.
Most common types
genital herpes
Pain, itching and small sores appear first. They form ulcers and scabs. After initial infection, genital herpes lies dormant in the body. Symptoms can recur for years.
cold sores
Oral herpes causes tiny, fluid-filled lesions called cold sores or fever blisters, which can recur.

CAUSES

Most commonly, herpes type 1 causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). Hsv-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2. In hsv-2, the infected person may have sores around the genitals or rectum.