The Mouth and Nose

Question 1

What type of infection is herpes and what are the subtypes?

Answer 1

Herpes is a viral infection and has the two subtypes of HSV1 (cold sores) and HSV2 (genital lesions)

Question 2

How is the herpes infection spread?

Answer 2

It is spread through viral shred in saliva mucous these coming in contact with the site of abraded skin.

Question 3

Where does the herpes infection lay dormant when an individual is initially infected?

Answer 3

Upon initial infection it will lay dormant in the dorsal root ganglia of trigeminal nerve.

Question 4

What occurs in herpes once the infection has been reactivated?

Answer 4

The infection travels to the outer layers of the skin causing sores and lesions.

Question 5

What signs and symptoms are displayed by a patient with herpes?

Answer 5

The patient will experience itching, burning and pain and will present lesions as blisters on outer lip which will crack and bleed.

Question 6

What treatment is given to patients with herpes?

Answer 6

Antivirals are given to patients this inhibits DNA enzyme. (Aciclovir/Penciclovir)