infectious diseases
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections
Diseases Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus
Diseases include Mucocutaneous infection (most common), including Genital Herpes None Ocular infection (including Herpes Simplex Keratitis ) Central nervous system (CNS) infection Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection None HSV rarely causes fulminant hepatitis in the absence of cutaneous lesions. In patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection , herpetic infections can be particularly severe. Progressive and persistent esophagitis, colitis, perianal ulcers, pneumonia, encephalitis, and meningitis may occur. HSV outbreaks may be followed by Erythema Multiforme , possibly caused by an immune reaction to the virus. Complications of atopic dermatitis is a complication of HSV infection in which severe herpetic disease develops in skin regions with eczema. Lesions may appear anywhere on the skin or mucosa but are most frequent in the following locations: Mouth or lips (perioral infection) Genitals Conjunctiva and cornea Generally, after a prodromal period (typically < 6 hours in recurrent HSV-1) of tingling, discomfort, or itching, clusters of small, tense vesicles appear on an erythematous base. Clusters vary in size from 0.5 to 1.5 cm but may coalesce. Lesions on the nose, ears, eyes, fingers, or genitals may be particularly painful. Vesicles typically persist for a few days, then rupture and dry, forming a thin, yellowish crust. Healing generally occurs within 10 to 19 days after onset in primary infection or within 5 to 10 days in recurrent infection. Lesions usually heal completely, but recurrent lesions at the same site may cause atrophy and scarring. Skin lesions can develop secondary bacterial infection. In patients with depressed cell-mediated immunity due to HIV infection or other conditions, prolonged or progressive lesions may persist for weeks or longer. Localized infections can disseminate, particularly—and often dramatically—in patients who are immunocompromised. Acute herpetic gingivostomatitisusually results from primary infection with HSV-1, typically in children. Herpetic pharyngitis can occur in adults as well as children. Through oral-genital contact, the cause can be either HSV-1 or HSV-2. Intraoral and gingival vesicles rupture, usually within several hours to 1 or 2 days, to form ulcers. Fever and pain often occur. Difficulty eating and drinking may lead to dehydration. After resolution, the virus resides dormant in the semilunar ganglion. Herpes labialisis usually a recurrence of HSV. It develops as ulcers (cold sores) on the vermilion border of the lip or, much less commonly, as ulcerations of the mucosa of the hard palate. Genital Herpes None Herpes Simplex Keratitis (HSV infection of the corneal epithelium) causes pain, tearing, photophobia, and corneal ulcers that often have a branching pattern. Herpetic Whitlow , a swollen, painful, erythematous lesion of the finger, results from inoculation of HSV through the skin and is most common among health care professionals. Herpes Encephalitis occurs sporadically and may be severe. Multiple early seizures are characteristic. Viral Meningitis may result from HSV-2. It is usually self-limited. Lumbosacral myeloradiculitis, typically caused by HSV-2, can occur during primary infection or reactivation of HSV-2 infection and can result in urinary retention or obstipation. Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection develops in neonates, including those whose mothers have no suggestion of current or past herpes infection. It is most commonly transmitted during birth through contact with vaginal secretions containing HSV and usually involves HSV-2. Neonatal HSV infection usually develops between the 1st and 4th week of life, often causing mucocutaneous vesicles or central nervous system involvement. It causes major morbidity and mortality. 