| herpes, genital | A viral infection transmitted through intimate contact with the moist mucous linings of the genitals. This contact can involve the mouth, the vagina or the genital skin. The herpes simplex type 2 virus enters the mucous membranes through microscopic tears. Once inside, the virus travels to nerve the roots near the spinal cord and settles there permanently. When an infected person has a herpes outbreak, the virus travels down the nerve fibres to the site of the original infection and when it reaches the skin, the classic redness and blisters occur. The outbreak of herpes is closely related to the functioning of the immune system. Women who have suppressed immune systems, either through stress, disease, or medications, have more frequent and longer-lasting outbreaks. Commonly just called herpes. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| herpes genitalis | <virology> A sexually transmitted infection caused by a herpes virus that results in the episodic outbreak of a painful vesicular skin eruption on the genitalia. The incubation period is approximately 6 days from the time of exposure. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches (27 Sep 1997) |
| herpes gestationis | An itching polymorphous bullous eruption which occurs in pregnancy or the puerperium and which recurs in successive pregnancies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| herpes gladiatorum | Herpes simplex infection associated with trauma to cutaneous tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| herpes iris | Concentric rings of erythema varying in intensity, characteristic of erythema multiforme. Synonym: herpes iris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| herpes labialis | <virology> An infection of the lips or mouth which results in a blistery sore that is caused by Herpes simplex type 1. Painful blisters (eventually becoming ulcers) will often presenting on the lips or nasal mucosa. Infected individuals should avoid contact with others due to potential for transfer of the infection. Herpes labialis tends to be recurrent and often exacerbated by stress, sunlight, fever or illness. Treatment includes the use of antiviral creams (acyclovir) and oral medications (acyclovir). Pre-treatment with oral acyclovir, in those prone to cold sores (prior to sun exposure, etc.) has been shown to decrease exacerbations. (27 Sep 1997) |
| herpes oesophagitis | <pathology> A viral infection causing inflammation and ulcers on the mucosal surface of the oesophagus. This infection typically occurs in the immunocompromised individual (chemotherapy recipient, AIDS patient). Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and pain on swallowing. Individuals may also be noted to have Herpes skin lesions (vesicles or ulcers) on the lips or in the mouth. Treatment includes the use of an antiviral agent (for example acyclovir). (27 Sep 1997) |
| herpes progenitalis | Genital herpes infection caused by herpes simplex virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| herpes simplex | <virology> The Herpes simplex virus is responsible for several different infections in humans: gingivostomatitis (in children), pharyngitis, oral and lip lesions (recurrent Herpes simplex type 1), proctitis, (type 2) and genital herpes (type 2). (27 Sep 1997) |
| herpes simplex encephalitis | The most common acute encephalitis, caused by HSV-1; affects persons of any age; preferentially involves the inferomedial portions of the temporal lobe and the orbital portions of the frontal lobes; pathologically, severe haemorrhagic necrosis is present along with, in the acute stages, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies in the neurons and glial cells. Synonym: acute inclusion body encephalitis, herpes encephalitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| herpes simplex keratitis | <ophthalmology, pathology> A serious viral infection of the cornea that can result in a nonpenetrating erosion (corneal ulcer) of the cornea. The causative agent is Herpes zoster. Recurrences may be triggered by stress, exposure to sunlight, use of immunosuppressive medications or another illness. Treatment includes antiviral eyedrops. (27 Sep 1997) |
| herpes simplex type 1 | A virus that causes cold sores and fever blisters. (12 Dec 1998) |
| herpes simplex type 2 | Different from herpes simplex type 1, herpes simplex 2 causes genital herpes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| herpes simplex virus | <virology> A virus in the family Herpesviridae. Type 1 HSVcauses blisters on the lips, nostrils, and possibly on the lining of the eyelids. Type 2 HSV causes blisters and lesions on and aroundgenitalia. (09 Oct 1997) |
| herpes simplex virus 1 helicase-primase | <enzyme> Complex of three herpes-encoded gene products (ul52, ul5, and ul8) in addition to helicase activity, contains a tightly associated complex that may prime lagging strand synthesis as it unwinds DNA at the viral replication fork Registry number: EC 3.1.- Synonym: hsv-1 helicase-primase, ul5 protein, hsv helicase-primase complex, ul52 protein, ul8 protein (26 Jun 1999) |