Herpes simplex virus infections sexually transmitted

Acyclovir is useful in the treatment of herpes. Oral herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), and genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). More than 90 percent of the world s population is infected with the oral herpes virus, though there are many infected people who do not exhibit symptoms. Genital herpes is the most prevalent nondurable sexually transmitted disease. In the United States, there are about 30 million people infected with HSV-2 and an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 new cases each year. 

Approximately 90% of the population is infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and at least 10% with HSV-2 (Nahmias and Roizman, 1973 Whitley, 1997). Humans are the only natural reservoir for this infection, and no vectors are involved in transmission of this virus (Stanberry et al., 2004). HSV-1 primary infection occurs mainly in childhood, and HSV-2 infection occurs predominantly in sexually active adolescents and young adults. Aerosols or close contact are the primary mechanisms of viral transmission. Although transmitted by different routes and involving different parts of the body, these two viral subtypes have similar epidemiology and clinical manifestation. 

The virus remains latent in the trigeminal nerve, may remain in the cornea, and has been reported in tears. HSV type 2 usually infects the genital area and is transmitted sexually but can cause ocular infection if transmitted to the eye via infected genital secretions. This most commonly occurs in neonates who are exposed to the virus in the birth canal. In neonates, herpes simplex can cause a fatal systemic infection. 

---