Signs and Symptoms of the Disease Oral Herpes - Essay Example

Biology (Oral Herpes) 13 February Oral Herpes of Disease Herpes simplex viruses, otherwise known as herpes or HSV, is classified into herpes simplex virus type-1 and herpes simplex virus type – 2 (Bridges). Herpes simplex virus type 1 commonly cause sores around the mouth and lips. For this reason it is called oral herpes, herpes of the mouth, herpes labialis, fever blister and cold sores (Bridges; Davis). Information about the Organism Description of the Causal Organism. Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is an infection associated with lesions located at the upper part of the body, in particular, on the gums, outer area of the mouth and lips, pharynx, face, eye, nose, fingers and central nervous system (Davis; Bridges; “Public Health Agency of Canada”). Oral herpes is caused by a certain type of DNA virus known as herpes simplex virus-1 or HSV-1 (Davis). Oral type of herpes simplex comprises about 80 percent of the herpes simplex virus family (Davis; “Public Health Agency of Canada”). It is noted that the blisters consisted of the oral sore breaks and oozes form a yellow crust that sloughs off and eventually reveals a new skin at the bottom of the infected layer (Shuman). Shuman added that it will take between seven and ten days for the sores to persist; the sores are contagious until they completely crust over. The first cold sore that occurs is reportedly the worst one and individuals who are affected with this type of infection are said to be seriously ill. However, eventually antibodies against cold sore do develop and patients become immune to this type of infection. In AIDS or immunocompromised patients cold sores are known to cause a life-threatening infection and infectious blindness (Shuman). Photos of the Pathogen (Source: Shuman) (Source: Cau and Yong - Jun) How the Pathogen Causes the Disease. A person can get herpes simplex type-1 by oral secretions and skin sores which are transmitted by kissing or sharing personal belongings, such as toothbrush, razors and eating utensils (Bridges; Davis; Shuman). In the human cell, herpes simplex viruses multiply by overtaking and utilizing the function of the human cell by taking control of the nucleus of the human cell that results in alteration of the normal structure. This altered nuclear structure is often seen during microscopic examination as an enlarged and lobulated or multinucleated structure that leads a medical practitioner diagnoses of HSV infection (Davis). Bridges and Shuman noted that these viruses show up anywhere in the body and can spread even if these sores are not visible. Other conditions, such as general illness, fatigue, physical or emotional stress, immunosuppression, trauma or menstruation bring about the outbreak of HSV-1. Signs and Symptoms of the Disease Herpes simplex virus symptoms appear typically as single or multiple blisters that break and leave tender sores around the mouth or affected area (Bridges). The incubation period for the herpes simplex virus 1 averages from 2 to 12 days and its signs and symptoms lasts from two to three weeks with the following manifestations of fever, tiredness, muscle pain and irritability. At the site of infection, pain, burning, tingling and itching appears prior to the emergence and eruption of sores, bumps or blisters (Bridges). According to Davis, the sequence of eruption of clusters of blisters occurs and eventually breaks down rapidly. These blisters appear as tiny, shallow and gray ulcers on top of a red base; they are crusted or scabbed, dry and yellowish. Davis added that at the onset of appearance of the oral sores at the lips, gums, throat, front of the tongue, inside the cheek and roof of the mouth an intense pain is felt that makes eating and drinking difficult for the patient. In some cases these sores extend down to the chin and neck area or are swollen mildly and may sometimes bleed in the gums. On the other hand, they are also felt as swollen and painful lymph nodes of the neck. Painful throat with shallow ulcerations and grayish tonsilar coating are developed among individuals in their teens and 20s (Davis). According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, HSV-1 is usually asymptomatic or subclinical in the childhood. Symptomatic infections primarily occur in the upper part of the body and within 2-3 weeks these ulcers usually heal without scarring. Generally, the symptoms and the clinical course of infection are usually milder with recurrent infections. Specific recurrent lesions that occur at the specific lip area, such as the vermillion border, are identified as cold sores or fever blisters (“Public Health Agency of Canada”). Signs and symptoms (Note the crusted, scabbed and yellowish ulceration caused by the oral sore) Diagnosis According to Davis, the following diagnostic modalities are used in diagnosing HSV-1: tissue or fluid sample from the skin infection, culture analysis of the virus, Tzanck smear staining test that will show changes of nonspecific cell nucleus, antigen and antibody that would determine whether the causative organism is from HSV-1 or HSV-2. On the other hand, Bridges stated that herpes simplex virus appearance is typical enough to identify that a necessity to confirm the diagnosis is not needed for testing. However, laboratory testing, such as DNA or PCR tests for viruses’ cultures, is needed if there is uncertainty on the part of health care providers in diagnosing herpes simplex. Mode of Transmission Small cuts, abrasions or breaks in the mucous membrane or skin give Herpes simplex virus-1 the chance to enter our body. Another mechanism is through direct contact with the career (a person with the virus) and an uninfected individual. In children, HSV-1 is transmitted by touching simply the infected person. On the other hand, adults and adolescents acquire this virus through direct contact with infectious secretions and mucous membranes of the infected symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with viral shedding, such as skin contact, kissing and sexual contact (Davis; “Public Health Agency of Canada”). Survival of the Pathogen Outside the host herpes simplex virus only survives for a short period and, although at lower humidity they survive longer, they only survive in surfaces that are dry for either few hours or 8 weeks (Davis). Control Measures Davis stated that in order to reduce the chances of acquiring HSV-1 and to keep the virus from spreading it is advised that intimate contact with the infected person must be avoided, it is not advised to touch the skin sore, saliva and mucous membrane of the individual infected with the lesion. It is also important to know that even with no apparent sore or symptoms herpes virus can spread. Davis added that washing hands with soap and water is an important mechanism to minimise the spread of virus. It is also important to mention that personal belongings of the infected individual, such as towels, clothing and soap must not be shared. Works Cited Bridges, Debbie. “Herpes Simplex: Herpes Type 1 and 2.” Webmd.com. 12 Feb. 2012. Web. < http://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/pain-management- herpes> Cau, Wei, and Liu Yong - Jun. “Opn: Key Regulator of pDC Interferon Production.” Nature Publishing Group. 12 Feb. 2012. Web. < http://www.nature.com/ni/journal/v7/n5/fig_tab/ni0506-441_F1.html > Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. “Genital Herpes: CDC Fact Sheet.” Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 12 February 2012. Web. < http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm > Davis, Charles. “Oral Herpes.” Emedicine Health. 12 February 2012. Web. Public Health Agency of Canada. “Herpes Simplex Virus.” Public Health Agency of Canada. 13 February 2012. Web. < http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab- bio/res/psds-ftss/herpes-eng.php > Shuman, Tracy. “Cold Sores Basics.” My Healthy Horizon. 12 February 2012. Web. Read More