Herpes
Herpes is most notoriously known for genital herpes infections and oral herpes infections. In fact, there are eight different human herpes viruses. Each of these have different names and produce unique symptoms. These herpes viruses have preference for infecting different nerves within the body and this usually gives each a unique location as well.
Herpes
Human herpes virus type 1 is the viral infection that preferentially infects a nerve that supplies parts of the face. It is characterized by breakouts in the mucus membranes near the mouth. This is why it usually known as oral herpes.
Human herpes virus type 2 is a viral infection that preferentially infects nerves of the sacral plexus, which is located near the end of your spinal cord and supplies much of your groin and legs. Type 2 herpes prefers mucus membranes of the groin. This is why this is known as genital herpes.
Human herpes virus 3 is also known as Varicella zoster virus or chickenpox.
Human herpes virus 4 has the name Epstein-Barr virus. It is implicated in a few cancers or diseases such as infectious mononucleosis.
Human herpes virus 5 is called Cytomegalovirus. Human herpes virus 5 infections have a wide range of severity. It is transmitted through blood, body fluids, or transplanted organs.
Human herpes virus 6 and 7 present with mild symptoms, which include a rose-coloured rash and ear infections.
Human herpes virus 8 is not a known cause of acute illness but is associated as a cause of Kaposi’s sarcoma and AIDS related non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Herpes is not limited to painful blisters around the mouth and genitals. There are many different forms of herpes and each one comes with its own side effects. Talk to your physician if you think you may have a herpes infection.