The Herpes virus is responsible for some of the most common illnesses among people. Among humans, there are two viruses that are of concern. These are termed as Herpes Simplex 1 and Herpes Simplex 2 virus respectively. These cause a variety of illnesses, which are either oral herpes or genital herpes based on the location. These are however, two major forms and other forms of herpes include herpetic whitlow, herpes gladiatorum, ocular herpes or keratitis, cerebral herpes called encephalitis, MOllaret’s meningitis, neonatal herpes, and Bell’s palsy respectively.
From the oral perspective, two illnesses are of concern. These are the oral herpes and Bell’s palsy respectively. The former is a repetitive condition of formation of active lesions followed by days of acqueisence. In this condition, the eruption of vesicles is very likely to show some prodormal or prior to symptoms, which are usually itching and pain. Patients are likely to have a typical presentation of oral ulcers also called aphthous ulcers. There can be acute gingivitis, and superficial ulcers on the lips and perioral area. The condition is very infectious, therefore, the dentist is advised to keep proper barrier protocol regarding infectious diseases at all times, since many times the patients are not aware of their condition and may present for the first time. Herpes lesions are often confused with herpes zoster, which causes the most commonly known hand foot and mouth disease.
Herpes may reside in one of the nerve ganglions even after the submission of the primary infection and may remain dormant for many years. A seroconversion can lead to the reactivation of the virus, which leads to a classic oral condition known as the Bell’s palsy. This condition represents the paralysis of the seventh cranial or head nerve of the body- which controls the muscles of the face on the same side. It is one of the most common diagnosis if other causes of facial paralysis such as brain stroke or tumor etc. are not present. The most common reason for this condition in the inflammation or swelling of the nerve, which can either lead to temporary or permanent loss of control on the same side of the face.
Usually there is no particular medicine that can cure a person of herpes, and patients with herpes usally have it for life. However, certain medications have been found to be useful in reducing the severity of the condition. The most commonly prescribed class of drugs is the antiviral drug therapy, which mostly contain aciclovar, valaciclovar and famcoclovir respectively. topical use of drugs such as docosanol etc. can also help in some relief of pain.