| The word "herpes" conjures up different | | | | different herpesviruses and have found more |
| images for different people. Some see herpes | | | | than 50 different animal species that can be |
| as an ugly and annoying cold sore or blister | | | | infected with some type of herpes virus. |
| that periodically appears on or around the | | | | Humans appear to be a natural reservoir for |
| lips. Others see herpes as a feared sexually | | | | at least 8 different types of the herpes |
| transmitted disease that, once you have | | | | viruses that normally spread from human to |
| contracted, you have to suffer with for the | | | | human and generally do not cause disease in |
| rest of your life. Of course both of these | | | | other animals.Coming in contact with the |
| images do represent the term "herpes" quite | | | | virus, usually through sexual intercourse, is |
| accurately for many people throughout the | | | | the first in a complex series of events that |
| world, but medically speaking herpes is also | | | | result in contracting genital herpes. |
| appropriately applied to several lesser known | | | | Projecting from the outer surface of the |
| afflictions. These conditions include herpes | | | | herpes virus are protein-carbohydrate |
| inside the mouth (herpes gingivostomatitis), | | | | structures called glycoproteins. |
| herpes of the throat (herpes pharyngitis), | | | | Glycoproteins allow the virus to attach |
| herpes of the eye (herpes keratitis), herpes | | | | initially to proteoglycans, which are complex |
| of the brain (herpes encephalitis), herpes | | | | chemical structures present on the surface of |
| transmitted to newborn infants (neonatal | | | | living cells. After attaching to the host |
| herpes), chickenpox (varicella-zoster), mono | | | | cell, glycopoteins then interact with the |
| (mononucleosis) and shingles (herpes-zoster). | | | | cells surface structures to trigger changes |
| All of these conditions are caused by one of | | | | in the cell membranes cytoskeletal structure. |
| the two closely related herpes viruses known | | | | These changes allow the viral envelope to |
| as herpes simplex virus type 1 and herpes | | | | fuse with the cell plasma membrane, |
| simplex virus type 2.To truly understand the | | | | essentially merging to form a changed cell. |
| herpes virus it is helpful to first gain some | | | | When this fusion occurs, the nucleocapsid of |
| knowledge about viruses in general. Viruses | | | | the herpes virus enters into the cytoplasm of |
| are the smallest known microbes, or | | | | the host cell, attaching tiny skeleton-like |
| infectious agents, that medical science has | | | | structures known as microtubules and |
| discovered to date. Most viruses consist of a | | | | microfilaments which form an internal |
| nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat | | | | transportation network used to move materials |
| known as a capsid; this nucleic acid-protein | | | | within the cell. Using this structure the DNA |
| complex is referred to as a nucleocapsid. In | | | | of the herpes virus enters the nucleus of the |
| more complex viruses, such as the herpes | | | | host cell where it makes copies of the viral |
| virus, the nucleocapsid is surrounded by a | | | | DNA which are released from the cell and |
| membrane-like structure containing | | | | spread to and infect other surrounding cells. |
| carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. This | | | | This process of generating new virus |
| membrane-like structure is referred to as an | | | | particles kills the infected host cell.If the |
| envelope. Each virus contains one of two | | | | herpes virus remained in the skins cells |
| large complex chemicals that contain the | | | | where initial viral attachment occurs, |
| viruses genetic code which serves as a | | | | chances are that a healthy immune system |
| blueprint for making more viruses. This | | | | could eventually control the infection and |
| complex chemical code is either RNA | | | | rid the body of the virus. The herpes virus |
| (ribonucleic acid) or DNA (deozyribonucleic | | | | however has found a way to hide from the |
| acid).Unlike bacteria and more complex | | | | immune system by hibernating in nerve cells. |
| organisms, viruses do not carry all the | | | | For unknown reasons the herpes virus does not |
| equipment necessary to reproduce themselves. | | | | start the replicating process in a select |
| In order to multiply, a virus must enter a | | | | number of nerve cells, instead hibernating |
| living cell, remove the cells protein coat | | | | and establishing a latent infection. When the |
| and then use its RNA or DNA to redirect the | | | | herpes virus is hybernating it is in an |
| cells synthesizing mechanism to make more | | | | inactive state and can not be detected by the |
| copies of the virus. This process of making | | | | immune system. This inactive state is |
| new viruses can actually destroy or injure | | | | referred to as latent infection or simply |
| the living or 'host' cell. If enough living | | | | latency. Latency does not cause illness but |
| host cells are injured or destroyed it | | | | unfortunately the latent virus can reactivate |
| results in a viral illness such as influenza | | | | and produce more virus which, in turn, causes |
| (the flu), viral diarrhea or genital herpes. | | | | recurrent herpes.How reactivation occurs is |
| There are hundreds of known viruses and | | | | unknown but it can happen for no apparent |
| probably thousands of others not yet | | | | reason or be triggered by trauma, stress, or |
| discovered. Each virus has adapted to infect | | | | exposure to ultraviolet radiation such as too |
| a particular type of cell in a specific | | | | much sunlight. Whatever the trigger, after |
| living organism which explains why there are | | | | reactivation, the herpes virus is transported |
| so many types of viruses. Because they have | | | | from the nerve cell body to the nerve endings |
| become so specialized some viruses can only | | | | where it is released into the skin to |
| infect certain types of cells, for instance, | | | | replicate in the skin cells. This replication |
| liver cells or muscle cells or brain cells | | | | may sometimes cause full blown herpes sores |
| while leaving other cells alone. Likewise, | | | | outbreaks, but other times may result in |
| many viruses are even limited to the type of | | | | "shedding" the virus which causes no |
| species they can infect. In general, this | | | | recognizable symptoms. However, either way, |
| usually means that viruses which infect cells | | | | whether this reactivation is symptomatic or |
| in one type of animal, say a dog, can not be | | | | asyptomatic, the person is contagious during |
| passed on to another type of animal, say a | | | | this reactivation period and it is possible |
| cat. Of course as with most rules, there are | | | | to pass on the virus to a partner. For this |
| exceptions and some viruses can cause similar | | | | reason, experts recommend that people with |
| diseases in closely related species. Another | | | | genital herpes use condoms even when there is |
| exception is that sometimes viruses can cause | | | | no obvious symptoms of an active herpes |
| also cause very different illnesses in the | | | | breakout.John Trout is an internet research |
| same species.The term "herpesvirus" refers to | | | | specialist and web master of several |
| any member of the herpes simplex type 1 and | | | | information related websites including: |
| herpes simplex type 2 virus family. The | | | | where this article was first published. This |
| necleocapsid of a herpes virus is surrounded | | | | informative website is an excellent source |
| by an envelope with spike-like structures | | | | for a sound education about the herpes virus |
| projecting from the surface and contains DNA. | | | | as well as the latest news about treatments |
| So far, scientist have identified over 115 | | | | and a possible herpes cure. |