Herpes simplex face and mouth infection
Herpes simplex penis infection with ulcer
Herpes simplex female infection with sores on vagina and vulva
Newborn death due to fatal herpes infection received from mother
Herpes Simplex virus
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of herpes is clinical by examination of the sores and blisters. Usually, there is no need for a test but in case of doubt a swab can be taken and send to laboratory for analysis.
Treatment
Oral anti-viral medications such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir have been developed to effectively treat herpes infections. These medications can be used to treat an outbreak or can be used constantly to suppress herpes recurrences, reduce outbreaks, and spreading by viral shedding. These medicines do not cure the disease as they do not remove the virus but they can shorten the course of the disease and painful symptoms.
Prevention
The area infected with herpes should be kept away from other people. Avoid physical contact, sharing utensils and towels and avoiding sexual activity. Condom should always be used but it will not protect getting infection from adjacent infected skin not covered by condom. People infected with herpes can still spread the virus even if they are not actively infected. This is called as carrier and asymptomatic virus shedding.
Complication
Eye infections including herpetic keratitis, can infect a baby during pregnancy, serious complications in HIV/AIDS patients and immunocompromised patients like organ transplant patients.