Herpes simplex virus

Question 1

Signs and Sx of herpes

Answer 1

Prodrome-tingle or pain before it appears
usually on HSV1- lips or HSV2-genital area

form as pustules, vesicles,
dried out vesicles classically
red skin

classically get impetigised-gold crust develops on them -staph aureus on top of viral infection

shingles-ONE DERMATOME, 
very painful
vesicles-treat until crusted
unilateral
any dermatome
classically prodromes
e.g.: common sites--herpes ophtalmicum (reaches tip of nose)
and like t10/12

Question 2

Aetiology of HSV

Answer 2

Virus lays in wait in dorsal root ganglions-and when immunosuppressed it reactivates up the nerve root
reccurence-immunosupression, stress, fevers, common cold, altered immune states, hormones

Question 3

complication of HSV

Answer 3

eczema herpeticum
viral infection-punched out lesion over someones face, redness all over
around the eyes-can threaten sight

medical emergency-need IV fluids

Question 4

Treatment of HSV

Answer 4

topical antiviral
or if emergency-ssytemic

if over 6 epidosed per year-prophylactic acyclovir