Overview
Introduction
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1) and type 2 (HSV 2) infect mucosal or abraded skin and then travel by retrograde axonal transport to sensory ganglia.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infect mucosal or abraded skin and then travel by retrograde axonal transport to sensory ganglia. HSV-1 most often becomes latent in the trigeminal ganglia after orolabial infection; genital HSV commonly involves sacral ganglia. The virus remains there for life and can reactivate, so antiviral therapy suppresses viral replication and symptoms but does not eradicate the infection. A first clinical episode may cause painful vesicles that erode into ulcers, dysuria, fever, malaise, or tender regional nodes. Recurrent episodes are usually shorter and less severe, but transmission can occur when the skin appears normal because asymptomatic viral shedding is common, particularly with HSV-2. For the US LVN/LPN, the priorities are focused assessment, implementation of prescribed treatment, medication-safety monitoring, infection-control measures, patient teaching, and prompt escalation of red flags.