Running Head: HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS

Herpes Simplex Virus

Anne Armbruster
Grosse Pointe North Microbiology 2nd hour

Introduction
Most Americans have or will experience this virus during their lifetime. The prevalence
of this virus makes it an epidemic that has swept across the nation, and reaches countries as
isolated as Indian tribes in the Amazon (Smith, Robinson 2002). HSV comes in many other
different forms as well. There are 115 types of the virus and it can affect 50 different animal
species (Stanberry 2006). It has been around for millions of years, and still cannot be eliminated.
Differing from many viruses, it can be reactivated throughout the patients life. Herpes simplex
virus (HSV) is one of the most common infectious diseases known to society. It can cause a
range of symptoms from cold sores, to fever, to possible photophobia, to being completely
asymptomatic. As many as 90% of people infected with HSV-2 are unaware they carry the virus
because they have either no symptoms or very mild symptoms, (Rowland 2011). On the
contrary, HSV can sometimes cause further medical complications. A 19 year old from England
recently developed a condition called encephalitis, which results in brain inflammation, due to
the herpes virus she carried. Because of this infection, she had a seizure and forgot the first 16
years of her life and now suffers from short term memory loss (Kendrick, 2014). Nobody is
excluded from the threat of HSV, including medical professionals such as dentists. In fact,
dentists are at a high risk of obtaining a form of HSV known as herpetic whitlow, herpes of the
finger, hand, or eyes. If they come in contact with an active lesion on a patients mouth, they can
accidently transmit it from their gloves to their eyes unbeknown to them until it is too late
(Clinical: Herpes simplex, 2009). Thankfully, many antiviral drugs have been found to treat the
outbreaks and symptoms, but alas, none of them can effectively eradicate the virus.
History/Geography

Herpes began as a single virus, but as the world evolved, so did the virus. Its believed
that there wasnt a distinction between type one and type two herpes, though, until the human
species diverged from the ape species (Stanberry 2006). The name herpes comes from the
Greek word meaning to creep. Although herpes wasnt classified as a disease until the 1700s,
Shakespeare describes herpes in his work Romeo and Juliet, back in 1597, writing: Oer the
ladies lips, who straight on kisses dream, which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, because
their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are, (Shakespeare 1597). This further proves that herpes
has existed in the world for longer than it has been named. In 1714, Daniel Turner was the first to
classify the oral herpes disease, and Jean Astruc in 1736 was the first to classify genital herpes
(Stanberry 2006).Finally in 1921, the disease was found to be infectious.
HSV affects people in every part of the world. It is most prevalent, though, in Africa and
parts of America. HSV is so common in America that half of the people have contracted the virus
by age 30, with that number increasing as you move further down the socioeconomic status
(Rowland 2011). It was found in a study done by Jennifer Smith and Jamie Robinson that
women who participate in sexual behavior were at higher risk than the rest of the population.
Because can be transmitted through sexual activity, it is more prevalent in areas that have higher
risk sexual behavior groups. This explains why the frequency of the virus increases as the age of
sexual maturity is reached (15-24) and then plateaus around the age of 40. They also found that
amount of black Americans that had the virus were more than double that of whites and almost
twice that of Mexican Americans. The region with the lowest prevalence of HSV was found to be
in areas of Asia (Smith, Robinson 2002). In any given population 10 of 100 susceptible to the
virus obtain it. Again, women at a higher risk with 16 out of 100 women getting it compared to 5
out of 100 men, (Stanberry 2006).

Effects on Humans
Because it is an infectious disease, herpes simplex virus is fairly easy to catch. HSV-1 can
be transmitted from close contact with an infected lesion on the body of somebody who hosts
this virus and commonly results in the cold sores on the lips or face (Clinical: The basics Herpes simplex virus 2012). HSV-2 is transmitted through sexual contact during a time where
the virus is active and results in sores in the genital areas. . Herpes transmitted through child
birth is highly dangerous, resulting in a mortality rate of up to 60% (Aldridge 2008). HSV is
typically diagnosed based on the presence of the resulting lesions on the skin.
After the virus enters the body and attacks the skin or nerve cells, most of the time,
symptoms will start to appear. The virus multiplies quickly and rises to the surface of the skin,
where it forms painful blisters that can rupture into an open sore at the site of the infection. The
sores caused by herpes start with a tingling of the skin, then redness, and finally the fluid- filled
blisters appear. During this time, the virus is highly contagious and can easily be spread to other
victims. The blisters typically go away within 2-3 weeks. The first infection of herpes can also
cause the host to experience symptoms such as fever, aches, pains, swollen groin, possible
meningitis, and lethargy. For the patients who have less immunity to the virus, the symptoms will
be more intense and last longer. In most cases, these symptoms only occur during the time of an
outbreak (Aldridge 2008). When the virus dormant, it could still be shed into their saliva and
genital secretions and passed on during this time.
After an outbreak, the virus can remain dormant for many months, years, and in some
patients, for the rest of their lives. When reactivated, though, the virus will occur in the same area
as primary infection because the body creates antibodies to the specific type of the virus so that it
cannot spread to other areas in the body (Clinical: Herpes simplex 2009). Reactivation of the

virus can be triggered by many different factors such as stress, trauma, radiotherapy, exposure to
the sun, menstruation, etc. The first infection though, is often more severe than any of the
infections following it.
This virus can lead to further complications, such as compromised cognitive abilities. A
study by IANS showed that patients who had infections, like HSV, had a decreased ability in
cognitive performance, including memory, speed of mental processing, abstract thinking and
planning and reasoning ability, (IANS 2014). HSV can also cause encephalitis, which is
inflammation in the brain, which can lead to seizures, like the one experienced in England by the
19 year old girl, (Kendrick 2014).
Treatment/cure
Unfortunately to its victim, to this day, there is no cure for herpes simplex. However,
there are many methods that are effective in alleviating the symptoms and preventing future
outbreaks. Antiviral medicines such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are the most
common drugs used to treat HSV (Aldridge 2008). They stop the growth of the enzyme that
causes the virus. The most used of the three, acyclovir, treats the initial infection and reduces the
frequency of recurrent outbreaks It is available in liquid, ointment, and pill form. Recently, a
drug called pritelivir is being tested in decreasing the spread and reproduction of the virus. It will
be a few years before this drug is introduced to the market, but it should be a boon to the many
people for whom existing therapy has lost effectiveness (News Tonight 2014). To be most
effective, these drugs should be taken when the earliest symptoms of herpes appear.
Changing your diet can also be beneficial in treating the symptoms of HSV. For example,
it is recommended to consume foods that contain the amino acid lysine. Doing so helps the sores
heal faster. Foods that have higher levels of this amino acid are vegetables, legumes, fish, turkey

and chicken. It is believed that the protein arginine contributes to the growth of the virus;
therefore you should reduce the intake of it. This can be found in foods like peanuts, beer,
chocolate, gelatin, and raisins. Additionally, eating a diet that is low in sodium, citrus, or other
types of food that irritate the skin, is helpful during the time of an outbreak (Rowland 2011).
There are mouthwashes that are available to help soothe oral herpes outbreaks. Ointments
like Anbesol and Blistex Lip Ointment can also ease the pain. To prevent further discomfort, It
is important to keep the blisters or sores clean and dry with an agent such as
cornstarch.(Rowland 2011). Covering the infected area with a bandage is important as well to
stop the spread of herpes to other areas of the body or to other people due to the infectious nature
of this virus.
Morphology/Pathology
Herpes simplex is a virus around 200 nm in size (Aldridge 2008). The capsid of this
virus is cube-like with many smaller triangular surfaces. Around its capsid is the envelope, which
has spikes around it, known as its glycoproteins. These allow the virus to attach to the
proteoglycans of the host cell, and invade it. It moves closer and closer and grips onto the
receptor proteins of its host. HSV then tricks the host into letting it inside by changing the
structure of the cytoskeleton of the host. Then, it moves through the cytoplasm of the cell,
attaching to microtubules. Finally, it moves to the nuclear membrane, where it releases its DNA.
The host cell is then signaled to make DNA copies of the viruss genetic makeup. The virus has
now reproduced and completely taken over its host cell, killing it at the end of the process. In all,
this takes about 18-20 hours. (Stanberry 2006)
Additionally, the virus can attack through sensory nerves. Once it enters a nerve, it loses
its envelope. The capsid containing the virus moves by axoplasmic transport mechanism,

jumping along the cytoskeleton of the axon to the nucleus of the neuron. The process of
replicating the virus in the neuron is similar to the process that is used for skin cells, except it
requires the use of special enzymes, such as thymidine kinase. The result is a replica herpes
virus, but without an envelope. (Stanberry 2006)
Issues and Solutions
Even though HSV has been around for thousands of years, it still cannot be eradicated.
Since herpes remains dormant and hides in between outbreaks, it is harder to find and treat it. As
a result, there still hasnt been any cure. Although HSV isnt life-threatening, the government
needs to put more funding into finding a solution to stop this virus, seeing as how common it is.
Until then, it is best to just avoid coming in contact with lesions of those who are infected to
prevent the spread of this virus.
Conclusion
With the highest risk population being those between ages 15-24, it is very
important to be informed about the potential risks that HSV holds.

References:
Aldridge, S. (2008). Herpes Simplex 2 Virus. In B. W. Lerner & K. L. Lerner (Eds.), In Context
Series. Infectious Diseases (Vol. 1, pp. 395-398). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE
%7CCX3045200120&v=2.1&u=lom_accessmich&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w&asid=35a50a53
c9e94f604628692edd295ae2
This article demonstrates the physical symptoms of of herpes.Also it details the
prevention and treatments available for this disease.
Choshi, D. (2014, July 16). New drug shows promising result for genital herpes. News Tonight.
Retrieved from http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/HWRC/hits?
r=d&origSearch=false&aci=flag&o=DateDescend&bucket=per&rlt=2&n=10&l=d&basi
cSearchOption=KE&c=3&tcit=1_1_1_1_1_1&docNum=A355780309&locID=lom_gros
sep&secondary=false&t=KW&s=1&SU=Herpes+simplex
information about a new drug that can effectively be used to treat symptoms of herpes
simplex. Used for genital herpes
Clinical: Herpes simplex. (2009, March 20). GP, 41. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE
%7CA195961818&v=2.1&u=lom_accessmich&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w&asid=77b27d02f3
c8792da4bade0d10a385ac
Clinical: The basics - Herpes simplex virus. (2012, April 25). GP, 22. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE
%7CA287561060&v=2.1&u=lom_grossep&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w&asid=d70f0ca35c9918
a40eeb79178186e35b
info on the herpes virus itself, not the resluting condition. How it enters the body etc
Even cold sores may increase memory decline risk: Study. (2014, February 14). IANS. Retrieved
from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE
%7CA358601715&v=2.1&u=lom_grossep&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w&asid=2f67024f27a2a8
1b13fcea8942eb9482
Additional complications that HSV can cause.
"Herpes simplex." Belinda M Rowland, Ph. D. and Tish Davidson, A.M. The Gale Encyclopedia
of Children's Health: Infancy through Adolescence. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed.
Detroit: Gale, 2011. 4 vols.
all basic information on herpes simplex. Details the symptoms, risk factors, prognosis,
etc
Kendrick, K. (2014, April 28). Teenager forgot first 16 years of her life after seizure. Retrieved
May 1, 2014, from Parentdish website: http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2014/04/28/teenagerforgot-first-16-years-of-her-life-after-seizure/
Use in intro as interesting fact
Shakespeare, W. (Writer). (n.d.). Romeo and Juliet [Live performance].
Smith, J. S., & Robinson, J. N. (n.d.). Age-specific prevalence of infection with herpes simplex
virus types 2 and 1: A global review. Infectious Disease. Retrieved from
http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/186/Supplement_1/S3.long#cited-by
where herpes is most commonly found
Stanberry, L. R. (2006). Understanding herpes revised second edition (2nd ed.). University Press
of Mississippi.
everything you would ever need to know about herpes simplex