Open AccessAge-specific incidence of herpes simplex infection in the light of clinical appearance
Author(s) -
A Csernus,
Oncodermatology,
Annamária Rózsa,
Rolland Gyulai
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
bőrgyógyászati és venerológiai szemle
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2064-261X
pISSN - 0006-7768
DOI - 10.7188/bvsz.2021.97.2.3
Subject(s) - herpes simplex virus , asymptomatic , medicine , differential diagnosis , serotype , transmission (telecommunications) , hsl and hsv , incidence (geometry) , vaccination , immunology , virus , viral shedding , virology , pediatrics , pathology , physics , optics , electrical engineering , engineering
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is extremely common in both children and adults. HSV has two serotypes, HSV-1 primarily causes orolabial while HSV-2 anogenital symptoms. In recent decades there has been a change in the predilection to affected anatomical regions in both serotypes, participation of HSV-1 serotype in genital infections is increasing. The primary acquisition of HSV-1 has increasingly shifted from early childhood to young adulthood over the past years. Asymptomatic infection and virulence factors are crucial in the spread of the virus. Cutaneous symptoms, erosions and crusted lesions after vesicular stage present various differential diagnostic problems in the involved regions. Early diagnosis and timely adequate therapy in serious cases are essential as well as suppressive treatment of recurrent symptoms. Several clinical trials are underway to develop more effective antivirals. Vaccination against HSV would be a key to prevent latent infections, transmission and reactivation. The authors present characteristics of HSV, age-specific clinical manifestations, differential diagnostic problems and adequate treatment strategies.