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