Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2 - Admission/Application Essay Example

Both of these viruses are structurally identical and infect the epithelial cells establishing latent infections in neurons but differ in epidemiology. HSV-1 is associated with orofacial disease with exception of spreading the disease to other parts of body through contact, while HSV-2 infects genital mucosa. The herpes simplex infections are asymptomatic as they tend to remain dormant for long periods of time and are frequently reactivated in immunosuppressed patients. Oral herpes or cold sores or fever blisters appear on lips, mouth, cheeks or nose and spread from person to person by close contact with sores or sometimes skin shedding the virus asymptomatically.

Genital herpes is most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in US causing acute inflammation genitalia. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse, orogenital sexual activity and hand to body contact. Most of herpes infections do not cause serious complications but it could be life threatening for people or children who possess weak immune system. The symptoms of herpes are serious and tend to vary from person to person. Some of the individuals experience a severe, uncomfortable and painful outbreak while some have mild affects.

The virus infected usually takes 2 to 20 days for signs of sores to appear that looks like small red bumps which become blisters with fluid within them along with symptoms of fever, headache, muscle ache, malaise and irritation. Many individuals experience pain, itching, burning or tingling followed by outbreak of lesions in about 24 hours along with flu-like symptoms. The blisters break open leaving open sores on the skin that is crusted and healed during several days. The genital herpes is a condition occurring in the genital region of the body like scrotum, anus, penis, thighs, urethra, vagina and cervix where itching, pain and sores are visible.

It can affect both men and women and is considered highly contagious