Infection due to herpes virus Custom Search The Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can affect many organs in the body causing several diseases some mild and self limited and some serious and potentially fatal. Infection can be either congenital or acquired. There are two types of this virus. Type 1 (HSV1) and type 2 (HSV2). HSV 1 is responsible for most of the infections affecting month, skin and brain while HSV 2 is usually responsible for genital lesions and congenital infection. First time infection with either HSV 1 or HSV 2 may be subclinical without producing any illness in most of the individuals. Following first time infection the virus may remain latent in the body for a long time and produce illness whenever the immune system becomes weak. Infection with one type usually prevents or decreases the severity of infection with the other but an individual may be affected by both types as different times. The virus is excreted in body secretions and infection occurs by direct contact with infected secretions. Clinical manifestations Ulcers in mouth or gingivostomatitis (gingiva=gums and stoma=mouth): Multiple ulcers develop over gums, tongue and oral cavity. There may be associated fever and irritability due to pain. The irritation leads to excessive salvation and drooling. Gums may bleed on touch. Lymph nodes in the neck may be enlarged. Skin infection: The virus may invade the skin through cuts causing small blisters or ulcers. Infection of eye: Inflammation of conjunctiva and cornea produces pain, redness of eyes and inability to tolerate bright light (photophobia). The condition is called kerato-conjunctivitis. Usually one eye is affected. Encephalitis: Encephalitis means inflammation of the brain. This manifests as fever, headache, vomiting, convulsions, alteration in consciousness and paralysis depending on the extent and location of involvement. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination reveals increased protein and cells. There may be abnormalities on CT scan, MRI and EEG. The DNA of the virus may be detected in the CSF using a test called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Genital infection: If herpes lesions are seen over the genitalia of children it should arouse suspicion of sexual abuse. Small blisters or ulcers may be seen on vulva, vagina or penis. The lymph nodes in the grain are usually enlarged and tender. There may be pain while passing urine. There may be associated systemic symptoms like fever and pain in muscles. Infection of the newborn: The herpes virus can infect the baby inside the uterus by going up the genital tract or at the time of birth if the mother has vaginal infection. The severity of disease may vary. Skin lesions appear within a few days. In many babies the disease is limited to skin, mouth or eyes. Other babies may suffer from systemic infection and become seriously ill. They may suffer from jaundice, respiratory distress, bleeding or shock. The brain may also be affected manifesting as fever, poor feeding, occasional temporary cessation of breathing (apnea) and seizures. Herpes virus infection should be suspected in any newborn baby who seems to have septicemia if blood culture is negative and the response to antibiotics is poor. Laboratory findings: Nonspecific abnormalities include decreased platelets, increased number of lymphocytes in blood, and evidence of liver dysfunction. Herpes Virus may be cultured from skin lesions ulcers or scrapings from conjunctiva. ELISA and PCR are other specific tests for the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus. Custom Search
Page last reviewed on 4rd June 2010
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