What are the types of herpes simplex?

There are different types of herpes simplex, the most common ones are skin herpes, oral herpes, and genital herpes. This disease has a certain incubation period and is caused by viral infection. It is very painful for patients and should be given appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

1. Cutaneous herpes is more common in recurrent herpes or primary herpes in adults. It can occur in any part of the body, especially at the junction of the skin and mucous membranes, and is more common around the lips, corners of the mouth, and nostrils, so it is also called "cold herpes". When cutaneous herpes occurs, it is itchy locally, followed by burning or stinging, congestion and redness, and rice-sized blisters appear in clusters of several or dozens; the blisters do not fuse with each other, but multiple clusters of blisters can appear at the same time, with thin blister walls and clear blister fluid. They rupture and erode on their own in a short period of time. Patients with primary herpes, especially traumatic herpes caused by the virus invading obvious traumatic sites on the skin, are often accompanied by local lymphadenitis and fever during the onset of the disease, some of which can reach 39-40°C, but most of the conditions are not serious; after 2-10 days, the affected skin dries and forms scabs, and the entire course of the disease is 2-3 weeks. Scars are generally not left at the affected area, and local pigmentation may exist, but it can gradually disappear in a short period of time.

2. Oral herpes: Herpes and ulcers appear on the oral mucosa, tongue, gums, pharynx, and even swollen lymph nodes. Oral herpes is more common in children under 5 years old, but adults can also suffer from it, especially those who have oral-genital sexual intercourse. In recent years, due to changes in sexual concepts, patients with this type of oral herpes are often seen clinically.

3. Genital herpes is mainly caused by HSV-2 subtype infection. The genitals, perineum, thighs and buttocks skin around the vulva may be affected, with herpes, ulcers, and punctate or flaky erosions. Male patients often suffer from it on the glans penis, foreskin, penis, etc., and may also affect the scrotum. Patients may feel local pain and discomfort. Prostatitis and cystitis caused by herpes virus infection are rare; but the virus may still be detected in the patient's semen. Latent HSV-2 infection may lead to male infertility.

In female patients, it is more common in the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vagina, cervix, and may also affect the urethra. Generally speaking, if the damage is limited to the cervix, the patient's symptoms may not be obvious. Herpetic cervicitis may only manifest as increased vaginal discharge, or even no symptoms; but herpes lesions in the vulva often lead to local and systemic symptoms, such as local pain, abnormal sensation, urinary tract irritation symptoms, swollen inguinal lymph nodes, fever, etc.