Intended for healthcare professionals

How to deal with herpes simplex virus infections

Firas Al Niaimi, Neil H Cox and Belinda Stanley
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of eight human herpes viruses. HSV occurs worldwide, in both sexes and all age groups. Herpes viruses establish lifelong latency. Once infection has occurred, they cannot be eradicated. HSV infections may reactivate, spontaneously or with identifiable triggers. HSV occurs as two subtypes, HSV1 and HSV2. The term ‘primary infection’ is used to describe infection with either subtype of HSV for the first time; infection with one subtype in an individual previously infected with the other subtype is termed ‘non-primary, first episode disease’.
Dermatology in practice 2009; 17(2): 27–30
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