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Herpes simplex virus
Key facts
Infection with the herpes simplex virus, commonly known as herpes, can be due to either herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral to oral contact to cause infection in or around the mouth (oral herpes). HSV-2 is almost exclusively sexually transmitted, causing infection in the ******* or anal area (******* herpes). However, HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the ******* area through oral-******* contact to cause ******* herpes.
Both oral herpes infections and ******* herpes infections are mostly asymptomatic but can cause mild symptoms or painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection.
HSV-1 is a highly contagious infection, which is common and endemic throughout the world. Most HSV-1 infections are acquired during childhood, and infection is lifelong. The vast majority of HSV-1 infections are oral herpes (infections in or around the mouth, sometimes called orolabial, oral-labial or oral-facial herpes), but a proportion of HSV-1 infections are ******* herpes (infections in the ******* or anal area).
Scope of the problem
In 2012, an estimated 3.7 billion people under the age of 50, or 67% of the population, had HSV-1 infection. Estimated prevalence of the infection was highest in Africa (87%) and lowest in the Americas (40-50%).
With respect to ******* HSV-1 infection, 140 million people aged 15-49-years were estimated to have ******* HSV-1 infection worldwide in 2012, but prevalence varied substantially by region. Most ******* HSV-1 infections are estimated to occur in the Americas, Europe and Western Pacific, where HSV-1 continues to be acquired well into adulthood. In other regions, for example in Africa, most HSV-1 infections are acquired in childhood, before the age of sexual debut.
Signs and symptoms
Oral herpes infection is mostly asymptomatic, and the majority of people with HSV-1 infection are unaware they are infected. Symptoms of oral herpes include painful blisters or open sores called ulcers in or around the mouth. Sores on the lips are commonly referred to as “cold sores.” Infected persons will often experience a tingling, itching or burning sensation around their mouth, before the appearance of sores. After initial infection, the blisters or ulcers can periodically recur. The frequency of recurrences varies from person to person.
******* herpes caused by HSV-1 can be asymptomatic or can have mild symptoms that go unrecognized. When symptoms do occur, ******* herpes is characterised by 1 or more ******* or anal blisters or ulcers. After an initial ******* herpes episode, which may be severe, symptoms may recur, but ******* herpes caused by HSV-1 often does not recur frequently.
Transmission
HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral-to-oral contact to cause oral herpes infection, via contact with the HSV-1 virus in sores, saliva, and surfaces in or around the mouth. However, HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the ******* area through oral-******* contact to cause ******* herpes.
HSV-1 can be transmitted from oral or skin surfaces that appear normal and when there are no symptoms present. However, the greatest risk of transmission is when there are active sores.
Individuals who already have HSV-1 oral herpes infection are unlikely to be subsequently infected with HSV-1 in the ******* area.
In rare circumstances, HSV-1 infection can be transmitted from a mother with ******* HSV-1 infection to her infant during delivery.
Possible complications
Severe disease
In immunocompromised people, such as those with advanced HIV infection, HSV-1 can have more severe symptoms and more frequent recurrences. Rarely, HSV-1 infection can also lead to more severe complications such as encephalitis or keratitis (eye infection).
Neonatal herpes
Neonatal herpes can occur when an infant is exposed to HSV in the ******* tract during delivery. This is a rare condition, occurring in an estimated 10 out of every 100,000 births globally, but can lead to lasting neurologic disability or death. The risk for neonatal herpes is greatest when a mother acquires HSV infection for the first time in late *******cy. Women who have ******* herpes before they become *******t are at very low risk of transmitting HSV to their infants.
Psychosocial impact
Recurrent symptoms of oral herpes may be uncomfortable and can lead to some social stigma and psychological distress. With ******* herpes, these factors can have an important impact on quality of life and sexual relationships. However, in time, most people with either kind of herpes adjust to living with the infection.
Treatment
Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, are the most effective medications available for people infected with HSV. These can help to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms, but cannot cure the infection.
Key facts
- The herpes simplex virus, or herpes, is categorized into 2 types: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
- HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral-to-oral contact to cause oral herpes (which can include symptoms known as “cold sores”), but can also cause ******* herpes.
- HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted infection that causes ******* herpes.
- Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections are lifelong.
- An estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) have HSV-1 infection globally.
- An estimated 417 million people aged 15-49 (11%) worldwide have HSV-2 infection.
- Most oral and ******* herpes infections are asymptomatic.
- Symptoms of herpes include painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection.
- Herpes infections are most contagious when symptoms are present but can still be transmitted to others in the absence of symptoms.
- Infection with HSV-2 increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection.
Infection with the herpes simplex virus, commonly known as herpes, can be due to either herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral to oral contact to cause infection in or around the mouth (oral herpes). HSV-2 is almost exclusively sexually transmitted, causing infection in the ******* or anal area (******* herpes). However, HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the ******* area through oral-******* contact to cause ******* herpes.
Both oral herpes infections and ******* herpes infections are mostly asymptomatic but can cause mild symptoms or painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection.
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HSV-1 is a highly contagious infection, which is common and endemic throughout the world. Most HSV-1 infections are acquired during childhood, and infection is lifelong. The vast majority of HSV-1 infections are oral herpes (infections in or around the mouth, sometimes called orolabial, oral-labial or oral-facial herpes), but a proportion of HSV-1 infections are ******* herpes (infections in the ******* or anal area).
Scope of the problem
In 2012, an estimated 3.7 billion people under the age of 50, or 67% of the population, had HSV-1 infection. Estimated prevalence of the infection was highest in Africa (87%) and lowest in the Americas (40-50%).
With respect to ******* HSV-1 infection, 140 million people aged 15-49-years were estimated to have ******* HSV-1 infection worldwide in 2012, but prevalence varied substantially by region. Most ******* HSV-1 infections are estimated to occur in the Americas, Europe and Western Pacific, where HSV-1 continues to be acquired well into adulthood. In other regions, for example in Africa, most HSV-1 infections are acquired in childhood, before the age of sexual debut.
Signs and symptoms
Oral herpes infection is mostly asymptomatic, and the majority of people with HSV-1 infection are unaware they are infected. Symptoms of oral herpes include painful blisters or open sores called ulcers in or around the mouth. Sores on the lips are commonly referred to as “cold sores.” Infected persons will often experience a tingling, itching or burning sensation around their mouth, before the appearance of sores. After initial infection, the blisters or ulcers can periodically recur. The frequency of recurrences varies from person to person.
******* herpes caused by HSV-1 can be asymptomatic or can have mild symptoms that go unrecognized. When symptoms do occur, ******* herpes is characterised by 1 or more ******* or anal blisters or ulcers. After an initial ******* herpes episode, which may be severe, symptoms may recur, but ******* herpes caused by HSV-1 often does not recur frequently.
Transmission
HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral-to-oral contact to cause oral herpes infection, via contact with the HSV-1 virus in sores, saliva, and surfaces in or around the mouth. However, HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the ******* area through oral-******* contact to cause ******* herpes.
HSV-1 can be transmitted from oral or skin surfaces that appear normal and when there are no symptoms present. However, the greatest risk of transmission is when there are active sores.
Individuals who already have HSV-1 oral herpes infection are unlikely to be subsequently infected with HSV-1 in the ******* area.
In rare circumstances, HSV-1 infection can be transmitted from a mother with ******* HSV-1 infection to her infant during delivery.
Possible complications
Severe disease
In immunocompromised people, such as those with advanced HIV infection, HSV-1 can have more severe symptoms and more frequent recurrences. Rarely, HSV-1 infection can also lead to more severe complications such as encephalitis or keratitis (eye infection).
Neonatal herpes
Neonatal herpes can occur when an infant is exposed to HSV in the ******* tract during delivery. This is a rare condition, occurring in an estimated 10 out of every 100,000 births globally, but can lead to lasting neurologic disability or death. The risk for neonatal herpes is greatest when a mother acquires HSV infection for the first time in late *******cy. Women who have ******* herpes before they become *******t are at very low risk of transmitting HSV to their infants.
Psychosocial impact
Recurrent symptoms of oral herpes may be uncomfortable and can lead to some social stigma and psychological distress. With ******* herpes, these factors can have an important impact on quality of life and sexual relationships. However, in time, most people with either kind of herpes adjust to living with the infection.
Treatment
Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, are the most effective medications available for people infected with HSV. These can help to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms, but cannot cure the infection.
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