Cold sores and herpes zoster as the most common viral infections of skin

Added: 12/16/2005

Viral infections of skin can affect any person at any age. Very often they have no visible symptoms and signs. These infections usually show themselves when the immune system is undermined in the result of stress or as a reaction to certain medications. There are several diseases caused by viral infections, but we will pay attention to the most common ones - cold sores and herpes zoster.

To understand what viral infections of skin are we should known the basic facts about viruses. Viruses have different compositions, structures, clinical and pathological manifestations. Viruses are extremely small in size that's why they are capable of passing the bacterial filtrate. Viruses are considered to be intracellular parasites. In most cases, skin is their major target (particularly it's upper layer called epidermis). These may cause localized or systemic manifestations varying from vesiculation, ulceration, erythematous lesions, scarring or different severe constitutional symptoms.

There are three main groups of viruses, which cause viral infections of skin. They include human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus and poxvirus.

Viral infection of skin can appear at any age. Many of them are known to occur in childhood and called "viral exanthems" (exanthem mean skin eruption or rush). The most common viral infections of skin are likely to affect children are roseola, fifth disease, varicella (or chickenpox), rubella and ribeola (or measles). Thanks to immunization the number of the above-mentioned diseases has decreased.

Cold sores and herpes zoster are known as one of the most common viral infections of skin. What are cold sores? This is the skin illness caused by the herpes simple virus (or HSV). It is characterized by a number of fluid-filled blisters appearing on the mucous membranes or on red swollen skin areas. These blisters heal leaving no scars but unfortunately have a tendency to recur. The damaged areas become painful and tender.

It's important to know that cold sores can only be transmitted by very close contact with the infected person (for example, via kissing). The disease invades the epidermis cells and travels from it along the nerve paths to the roots and later becomes inactive. The reactivation of the virus can be caused by the undermined immune system (for example, severe cold). In this case the blisters might return.

Unfortunately, there's no core for cold sores. However there are various remedies, drugs and medications to help the victims relieve the painful sores.

Speaking about herpes zoster medical experts indicate it has one more name - "shingles". It is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Very often this disease has no evident symptoms and lies dormant in certain nerve fibers. Here are the factors possible to make herpes zoster become active: suppression of the immune system, stress, ageing, certain medications, etc.

During the outbreak the disease affects primarily the human body or face. Sometimes the nerve branch supplying the eye is involved, that's why eyelids, nose and forehead may become affected as well. The key signal of possible involvement of eyes is sores inside the nose. Be aware that many of those who experience herpes zoster find it extremely unpleasant and painful. Such condition can last for several weeks.

All the viral infections of skin are known to require clinical care by healthcare professionals.

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