What Causes Herpes Infection?

Herpes infection is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. When the body's resistance is low, or when the body is tired or has a cold, the invaded nerves and skin produce strong inflammation. Patients with herpes should pay attention to improving their physical condition, maintaining skin hygiene, avoiding scratching the skin, and isolating themselves daily. What causes herpes infection? Let's take a look below.

Herpes can be infected through direct contact with skin and mucosa, or through sexual intercourse, placenta, and birth canal.

1. Diseases caused by varicella-zoster virus:

• Herpes zoster: When resistance is low or due to fatigue, infection, or cold, the invaded nerves and skin produce strong inflammation.
• Varicella-zoster uveitis.
• Herpes zoster of the eyelids typically occurs in the skin distribution areas of the first and third branches of the trigeminal nerve, presenting as clustered vesicular rashes.

2. Diseases caused by herpes simplex virus:

• Neonatal herpes simplex is more common in preterm infants, but can also occur in full-term infants. It usually occurs 3 to 5 days after birth, manifesting as vesicles and erosions on the skin, oral mucosa, and conjunctiva.
• Genital herpes starts with a burning sensation at the affected site, followed by erythema. Soon, 3 to 10 clusters of red papules appear on the erythema, accompanied by itching. The papules quickly turn into small vesicles, which become pustules after 3 to 5 days.
• Herpetic stomatitis commonly occurs in the mouth, gums, tongue, hard palate, and pharynx. It manifests as rapidly developing clustered small vesicles that soon rupture to form superficial ulcers. Alternatively, it may start as erythema or shallow ulcers, with significant pain.

• Enhance physical fitness and improve disease resistance. Elderly people should engage in appropriate outdoor activities or sports to improve their physical condition and enhance their ability to resist disease.
• Prevent infection. Infection is one of the causes of this disease. Elderly patients should prevent various infections, especially during autumn when the weather alternates between cold and warm. They should adjust their clothing appropriately to avoid upper respiratory infections caused by cold exposure. Additionally, oral and nasal inflammation should be actively treated.
• Prevent trauma. Trauma can reduce the body's disease resistance and increase the risk of developing this disease. Therefore, elderly patients should be careful to avoid trauma.
• Avoid exposure to toxic substances. Avoid contact with chemicals and toxic drugs as much as possible to prevent skin damage, maintain physical health, and reduce the body's resistance.