What are the common manifestations of herpes simplex

Herpes simplex often invades the human skin and mucous membranes, causing small blisters on the skin. The virus has a relatively long latent period and often recurs. For example, when the human body's immunity is poor, it is prone to recurrence. It often invades the human skin and can also cause oral herpes, genital herpes, and eye herpes, etc. It will cause lasting impact and harm to the human body.

1. Skin herpes

It is common at the junction of skin and mucous membrane, such as the edges of the lips, corners of the mouth, and around the nostrils. Initially, the local skin will feel itchy, burning or stinging, followed by congestion and redness, and later clusters of blisters the size of needle tips or rice grains will appear with a slightly red base. The blisters do not merge with each other, but multiple clusters of blisters may appear at the same time. The blister wall is thin and the blister fluid is clear. It will spontaneously rupture, erode, and exude fluid in a short period of time, and then dry and form a scab after 2 to 10 days. No scars will be left after the scab falls off.

2. Oral herpes

Herpes and ulcers appear on the oral mucosa, tongue, gums, pharynx, and may spread to the esophagus. The patient has local pain, refuses to eat, and drools. It may be accompanied by fever and enlargement of submandibular and/or cervical lymph nodes. It is more common in children and young people.

3. Genital herpes

It is mainly caused by HSV-Ⅱ infection. The skin of the genitals, perineum, around the vulva, thighs and buttocks may be affected, with herpes, ulcers and pitting erosions. In men, it often occurs in the glans penis, foreskin, coronal sulcus, and penis, and may also affect the scrotum; in women, it is more common in the labia majora and minora, clitoris, vagina, and cervix, and may also affect the urethra. Homosexuals with a history of anal intercourse may develop herpetic proctitis, followed by purulent infection of the anus and rectum or inguinal lymphadenitis.

4. Ocular herpes

It manifests as herpes simplex keratitis and conjunctivitis, which are mostly unilateral, often accompanied by herpes or edema of the eyelid and enlarged preauricular lymph nodes on the affected side. Recurrent attacks may cause corneal ulcers, opacities, and even perforations leading to blindness. Chorioretinitis may occur in neonates and patients with AIDS.

5. Herpetic scrofula

It is a complication of primary oral or genital herpes. The virus can enter through damaged epithelial cells of the fingers or directly enter the epidermis of the fingers due to occupational or other reasons. Herpes lesions often occur on the distal knuckles and penetrate into the nail bed to form honeycomb necrosis. Therefore, the local pain is severe and throbbing, often accompanied by fever, cubital and axillary lymphadenitis. Dentists and nurses who frequently come into contact with herpes patients with their bare hands are at risk of contracting the disease.

6. Eczema herpeticum

It is caused by HSV infection in patients with chronic eczema, dermatitis and other lesions, and is easily misdiagnosed as an aggravation of the original eczema. The virus may suddenly infect the skin in the affected area and its surrounding areas, or spread through the bloodstream, affecting other important organs and causing the condition to worsen.