Herpes simplex

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Herpes simplex - close-up

Herpetic whitlow on the thumb

Some cases are relatively mild and may not require treatment.

In severe or prolonged cases, or in individuals who are immunosuppressed or who have frequent recurrences, antiviral medications such as acyclovir may be used.

In individuals with more than 6 recurrences of genital herpes per year, chronic antiviral medications may be offered to reduce recurrences.

Support groups and dating services are available for people with genital herpes.

The oral or genital lesions usually heal on their own in 7 to 10 days unless an individual has an underlying condition that weakens the immune system, in which case the infection may be more severe and last longer.

Once infected, the virus spreads to nerve cells and stays in the body for the rest of a person's life . It may intermittently reactivate and cause symptoms, or flares. Recurrences may be precipitated by overexposure to sunlight, fever, stress, acute illness, and medications or conditions that weaken the immune system (such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, or use of corticosteroids).

• meningitis
• encephalitis
• eczema herpetiform (widespread herpes across the skin)
• infection of the eye -- keratoconjunctivitis
• prolonged, severe infection in immunosuppressed individuals
• pneumonia
• infection of the trachea

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms which appear to be herpes infection. There are many different conditions that can cause similar lesions (particularly in the genital area).

If you have a history of herpes infection and develop similar lesions, notify your health care provider if they do not resolve after 7 to 10 days, or if you have a condition that weakens your immune system.

Review Date: 06/20/2005
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.