Dermatológia pre prax 3/2014

Infections caused by herpetic viruses Herpes simplex and Varicella zoster and their treatment

The article focuses on infections caused by the herpetic viruses herpes simplex and varicella zoster, which can cause infectious illness in infancy as well as be the source of health problems in those of advanced years. While acute primary infection caused by type 1 herpes simplex usually develops asymptomatically, type 2 herpes simplex does so less often and acute primary infection caused by the varicella zoster virus is almost always accompanied by clinical symptoms, i.e. those of chickenpox. The typical characteristic of herpetic viruses after acute primary infection is their life-long presence in the body. This presence is most often symptom free, but, even in otherwise healthy persons, clinical manifestations may reoccur—often accompanied by chronic pain and an overall decrease in well-being. While unable to eradicate the virus themselves, antivirals which block the replication of the virus have proven a successful treatment. Given the possible long-term complications both during and after an herpetic infection, it remains, however, important to offer symptomatic treatment for pain as well.

Keywords: herpetic viruses, clinical symptoms, treatment, antivirotics, prevention.