The lesions of herpes simplex are known as cold sore or fever blister. These
are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus. This virus is not eliminated
from the body but is present in nervous tissue throughout. The lesions may
appear anywhere but usually are found on the lips, oral or genital areas, and
are reactivated by stress, fever, sun exposure, a cold, or injury. Active
lesions are infectious and last about 7-10 days. Treatment is geared to relief
of the symptoms as there is no cure.
Chicken Pox (varicella)
This disease is caused by the herpes zoster virus. This is a contagious
airborne disease that affects children more often than adults. Once you have
had chicken pox, you usually are immune from a reoccurrence. However, the virus
continues to reside within certain nerve cells within the body. When
stimulated, these may reappear as shingles. General symptoms are fever,
headache, anorexia, and lesions which are small, pink, raised spots surrounded
by a reddened halo. Treatment is to keep the lesions dry and relive itching.
Herpes Zoster—Shingles
This occurs mostly in elderly. It is the name for the acute phase when the
dormant virus that caused chicken pox erupts. Intense itching, pain and grouped
vesicles are located in a general area. The lesions last about 2-3 weeks and
antiviral drugs can shorten the duration.