What are the symptoms of eye herpes? What are the different types of eye herpes? How is eye herpes diagnosed? Discover the answers to these questions and more in our comprehensive guide.

Defining Eye Herpes: Types and Causes

Eye herpes, also known as ocular herpes or herpetic eye disease, is a condition caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two main types of HSV that can affect the eyes:

Type 1 Herpes (HSV-1)

HSV-1 is the more common type and is typically responsible for cold sores or fever blisters on the face. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, HSV-1 is more likely to cause eye infections than HSV-2.

Type 2 Herpes (HSV-2)

HSV-2 is the sexually transmitted form of the virus, which primarily affects the genital area. However, it can also spread to the eyes.

The virus is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with infected skin or bodily fluids, such as saliva or nasal secretions. Once contracted, the virus can lay dormant in the nerve cells and reactivate, causing eye irritation.

Symptoms of Eye Herpes

When the herpes virus affects the eye, it can cause a variety of symptoms, often concentrated in one eye more than the other. These symptoms may include:

• Feeling like there is something in the eye
• Headaches
• Light sensitivity
• Redness
• Tearing
• Herpes sores on the eyelids resembling a rash with blisters

In more severe cases, the virus can affect the cornea, the inner eye, or the retina, leading to reduced vision.

Differentiating Eye Herpes from Similar Conditions

The symptoms of eye herpes can be similar to those of other eye conditions, such as chickenpox (caused by the varicella-zoster virus) or pink eye (conjunctivitis). How can you tell them apart?

Chickenpox vs. Eye Herpes

A varicella-zoster infection is more likely to result in a rash with a distinctive pattern that occurs in only one eye, unlike the more generalized symptoms of eye herpes.

Pink Eye vs. Eye Herpes

Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, can have similar symptoms to eye herpes, such as redness and tearing. However, pinkeye is often more painful and accompanied by a discharge, unlike the relatively painless nature of eye herpes.

Diagnosing Eye Herpes

Ophthalmologists, or eye doctors, use a combination of methods to diagnose herpetic eye disease:

Medical History and Physical Examination

The doctor will ask about the patient’s symptoms, when they first noticed them, and what triggers them. They will also conduct a physical examination, using a slit lamp microscope to inspect the eye’s surface and potentially the eyelid.

Laboratory Testing

If necessary, the ophthalmologist may take a small cell sample, or culture, from a blistered area and send it to a lab for testing to confirm the presence of the herpes virus.

Levels of Eye Herpes Infection

Eye herpes can affect different parts of the eye, with varying levels of severity:

Epithelial Keratitis

This is the most common form of eye herpes, affecting the transparent front part of the eye known as the cornea.

Stromal Keratitis

When eye herpes affects the deeper layers of the cornea, it is known as stromal keratitis. This is a more serious condition that can lead to scarring and permanent vision impairment.

Triggers and Contagiousness

The herpes virus can lay dormant in the body and be reactivated by certain triggers, such as:

• Fever
• Stress
• Major surgical or dental procedures
• Sunburn
• Trauma or severe injury

While the virus is highly contagious, not everyone who comes into contact with it will develop eye herpes. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected skin or bodily fluids, particularly during an active outbreak.

Treatment and Management

The treatment for eye herpes depends on the severity and location of the infection. Ophthalmologists may prescribe antiviral medications, topical ointments, or other treatments to manage the symptoms and prevent complications. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to address scarring or other damage to the eye.

Proper management of eye herpes is crucial to prevent recurrences and protect vision. Patients should follow their healthcare provider’s instructions carefully and report any changes or worsening symptoms promptly.

Eye herpes: Pictures, symptoms, and types

In addition to causing cold sores, the herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause sores to appear on the eyes. When herpes symptoms affect the eyes, it is known as eye herpes, ocular herpes, or herpetic eye disease.

Eye herpes may be a cause for concern because it can have uncomfortable symptoms. In rare instances, eye herpes can affect the deeper layers of a person’s eyes and their vision.

In this article, we examine the types of herpes that can affect someone’s eye and the symptoms that may occur. We also look at the diagnosis of eye herpes and the treatment options.

Share on PinterestEye herpes is also known as ocular herpes or herpetic eye disease.
Image credit: Powerfloh, 2013.

There are two major types of HSV:

Type

1

Herpes type 1 (HSV-1) commonly affects the face and is responsible for symptoms that include cold sores, which some people refer to as fever blisters.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, HSV-1 is more likely than HSV-2 to cause eye infections.

Type 2

Herpes type 2 (HSV-2) is the sexually transmitted form of the virus. While this type mainly causes symptoms on the genitals, it can also affect the eyes.

A person will typically contract either form of the virus as a result of skin-to-skin contact with someone who already has the infection.

The virus often lays dormant in the nerve cells and can travel along the nerves to the eye upon activation.

Most people have contracted the virus at some point in their lives, but not everyone gets symptoms as a result.

When a person gets herpetic eye disease, they can experience a variety of symptoms. These can sometimes occur in both eyes, but they usually affect one eye more than the other.

Some of the symptoms depend on the affected part of the eye. Examples of these symptoms include:

• the feeling of something being in the eye
• headaches
• light sensitivity
• redness
• tearing

Sometimes, a person may also experience herpes sores on top of the eyelids. These may resemble a rash with blisters. The blisters will form crusts that usually heal within 3–7 days.

If the herpes virus affects the cornea, the inside of the eye, or the retina, a person may find that their vision becomes reduced.

Typically, eye herpes does not cause a lot of pain, even though a person’s eye may look painful.

The symptoms of an HSV infection affecting the eye may be very similar to those of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. However, a varicella-zoster infection is more likely to result in a rash with a distinctive pattern that occurs in only one eye.

Another condition that can have similar symptoms is pinkeye, which is also known as conjunctivitis.

Share on PinterestFever and stress may trigger a dormant virus to start reproducing.
Image credit: Burntfingers, 2015.

The herpes virus can spread via the nasal secretions or spit of a person with the infection. The likelihood may be higher when a person has a cold sore.

The virus within the secretions can then travel through the body’s nerves, which can include those in the eye.

In some cases, the virus enters the body and does not cause any problems or symptoms. Doctors describe this form of the virus as lying dormant.

Certain triggers can sometimes cause a dormant virus to start reproducing and cause eye irritation. Examples of these triggers include:

• fever
• major surgical or dental procedures
• stress
• sunburn
• trauma or severe injury

The herpes virus can be highly contagious. However, not everyone who contracts or comes into contact with the herpes virus will get eye herpes.

Ophthalmologists, or eye doctors, diagnose herpetic eye disease by taking the person’s medical history and asking them about their symptoms. They may ask the person when they first noticed their symptoms and what makes them worse or better.

The ophthalmologist will also conduct a physical examination of the eye. This examination will involve using a special microscope known as a slit lamp to visualize the eye’s surface and, potentially, the eyelid.

These professionals can usually diagnose eye herpes by looking at the sores. If the infection has reached the deeper layers of the eye, they will need to use special instruments to measure the eye pressure. They will also need to inspect the deeper eye layers whenever possible.

As part of the diagnosis, an ophthalmologist may also take a small cell sample known as a culture from a blistered area. They will then send this sample to a lab for testing for the presence of HSV.

For the most part, eye herpes affects the transparent front part of the eye. This condition is known as epithelial keratitis.

If eye herpes affects the deeper layers of the cornea, it is known as stromal keratitis. This condition is more concerning to eye doctors because it can cause scarring on the cornea, which can permanently affect a person’s vision.

Share on PinterestA doctor may prescribe an antiviral eye drop.

No cure currently exists for herpetic eye disease. Instead, an eye doctor can prescribe medications that reduce the effects and symptoms of the condition. The location of eye herpes tends to determine the treatment options.

Eyelids

Doctors will prescribe topical ointments, such as an antiviral or antibiotic ointment, for a person to apply gently to their eyelids.

While antibiotic ointments will not treat the herpes infection, they will keep other bacteria from entering the open, blistering areas of the eyelid.

Outer eye

layers

If the eye herpes only affects the outermost layers of the eye, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral eye drop or an oral antiviral medication, such as acyclovir (Zovirax). These help reduce the effects of the virus and could reduce the duration of symptoms.

Deeper

eye layers

If the herpes virus has affected deeper layers of the eye, an eye doctor may prescribe antiviral eye drops and oral medications.

They may also prescribe steroid eye drops. These help reduce eye inflammation that could lead to increased eye pressure.

Prevention

As eye herpes can cause further infections, some doctors may recommend taking antiviral medicines on a regular basis to reduce the risk of getting eye herpes again.

Recurrent herpetic eye infections can lead to greater eye damage, which is why doctors want to prevent their recurrence.

Doctors may recommend that a person take an antiviral medication a few days before they have surgery so that they can prevent the stress of the surgery from triggering a herpes outbreak.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, doctors diagnose about 50,000 new cases of eye herpes each year in the United States. While there is no cure for eye herpes, treatment can reduce the duration of symptoms.

If a person has recurrent eye infections or starts to experience vision loss, they should seek an appointment with an eye specialist for an assessment and advice on additional treatments.

Genital herpes in men: Symptoms, pictures, and treatment

Genital herpes is a common condition that can cause red bumps around the genital area, including the penis, scrotum, and anus. There is no cure for genital herpes, but some antiviral medications can shorten the duration of symptoms and help prevent future occurrences.

The herpes simplex virus causes genital herpes, while the condition usually does not trigger symptoms. Many people can have the virus without knowing it.

Keep reading to learn more about genital herpes in males, including the symptoms, causes, and possible treatments.

Genital herpes is an acquired infection with the herpes simplex virus. It primarily transmits through sexual activity.

The herpes simplex virus is widespread. There are two types: type 1 and type 2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 have the type 1 virus, while 491 million people aged 15–49 years have type 2.

Most people who acquire the herpes virus do not experience symptoms and are often unaware they have contracted it.

However, some experience symptoms that may include genital herpes. Both types of herpes viruses can trigger this condition.

Those with symptoms of genital herpes can encounter blisters or lesions around the genitals. The symptoms may occur in cycles.

In contrast, oral herpes trigger sores around the mouth, teeth, or gums, often known as cold sores or fever blisters. The herpes type 1 virus usually causes this condition.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 776,000 people contract genital herpes each year in the United States.

Genital herpes is a result of acquiring an infection with the herpes simplex virus.

People pass the virus through sexual activity, including direct oral or genital contact. For example, someone may acquire the virus by receiving oral sex from someone with herpes.

People usually pass on type 1 viruses through touching or kissing. In contrast, people typically transmit type 2 viruses during sexual intercourse.

It is possible to contract herpes from someone with no visible sores or lesions. Not everyone will be aware if they have acquired or transmitted the virus.

Genital herpes is less common in males than in females. The CDC estimate that around 16% of females and 8% of males aged 14–49 years contract the infection each year.

The virus that causes the infection is more easily passed on from males to females during intercourse, which may explain the difference. In addition, people can also acquire the virus from anal intercourse.

The symptoms are the same for males and females. However, females who experience genital herpes during pregnancy can experience complications.

Most cases of herpes do not cause symptoms, and many people have the condition without knowing it. Others may experience symptoms that present at a later date if the virus reactivates.

Symptoms of genital herpes can include:

• tingling sensations in the genital area, including the penis, scrotum, anus, buttocks, or thighs
• small red bumps that turn into blisters around the genital area
• swelling in the groin, neck, or under the arms
• muscle aches
• fever
• headaches
• tiredness
• trouble urinating

People with symptoms typically experience them around 4 days after exposure. They can last a couple of weeks and may re-emerge again in future occurrences.

The first episode is typically longer and more likely to include body-wide symptoms, such as fever or aches. People who experience future occurrences usually experience red bumps or blisters for a shorter period.

People rarely require a doctor for genital herpes. Most cases are mild or cause no symptoms. Symptoms that do occur usually go away within a couple of weeks in the first instance.

However, some people may experience body-wide symptoms that cause discomfort. Doctors can prescribe antiviral medications to speed up recovery and reduce the risk of future occurrences in these cases.

To check for genital herpes, a doctor may use polymerase chain reaction tests. These tests amplify small parts of the virus DNA for detection.

Other tests include serologic tests, a blood analysis used to detect the antibodies that the body uses to fight the virus.

The sooner a person starts on medication following an occurrence of herpes symptoms, the more effective it is.

There is currently no cure for genital herpes. However, most people experience zero or mild symptoms, with no long-term complications from the virus.

Doctors can prescribe antiviral medications to those who experience symptoms. These drugs may shorten the duration of symptoms or prevent future occurrences. Topical creams could also help ease the pain.

Daily suppressive therapies can reduce the chance of transmission to partners.

There are currently no vaccines to prevent a person from contracting a genital herpes virus. However, people can reduce their risk of acquiring or passing on genital herpes through practicing safe sexual practices, such as:

• avoiding sexual activities when a person is experiencing symptoms
• using a condom
• limiting the number of new sexual partners
• talking with a doctor about treatments to preventing future occurrences

These practices can reduce the risk of contracting genital herpes but cannot prevent symptoms from flaring up.

It is also important to note that if a person touches the fluid from the herpes sores, or the sores themselves, they can transfer herpes to another part of the body, such as the eyes.

Therefore, avoid touching these where possible to prevent spreading herpes elsewhere on the body. People should also wash their hands thoroughly if they do touch these sores or fluids.

Genital herpes is a commonly acquired infection with the herpes simplex virus.

It typically triggers mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, genital herpes can cause small red bumps to develop, which turn into blisters.

There is no cure for genital herpes, although antiviral medications can help with symptoms and prevent future occurrences.

Herpetic stomatitis: types, causes and treatment

The appearance of blisters on the oral mucosa with severe pain may indicate herpetic stomatitis. Pathology occurs in both adults and children. The disease causes severe discomfort and requires effective treatment.

What is herpes stomatitis

Herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 can provoke herpetic stomatitis in adults and children. Rashes appear not only on the oral mucosa. Bubbles on the lips are especially common, which appear against the background of a decrease in immunity or after a cold. But children especially often get herpes in the mouth. The causes of rashes on the lips, in the mouth, on the body are the same – infection with a virus and a decrease in the body’s defenses.

It is easy to identify herpes on the oral mucosa. The disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Redness of the mucous membrane.
• Eruption in the form of vesicles in the mouth and on the lips.
• Increased body temperature.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• May cause bad breath.

Forms of the disease

There are several stages of pathology and each has its own characteristics:

• Lung proceeds most safely for the patient. This form occurs in people with strong immunity. Solitary rashes appear, which disappear on their own without additional procedures.
• Moderate characterized by general symptoms. The patient may complain of weakness, pain in the mouth, lack of appetite. The temperature may rise to subfebrile condition. Bubbles appear not only in the oral cavity, but also on the skin.
• Severe form occurs with the formation of several rashes with severe pain. This is accompanied by chills, possible vomiting, headache. Such a condition in a child may require hospitalization due to severe intoxication.

How to distinguish herpes from stomatitis

Oral herpes is important to distinguish from stomatitis. This can be done according to three characteristic features:

• With stomatitis, rashes in most cases are located on the tongue, on the buccal mucosa, while herpes from the oral cavity is localized mainly in the gum area.
• Herpes always starts with a blister. Only later, after a few days, it bursts and an ulcer forms. With stomatitis, the ulcer is the primary element, and there are no blisters.
• With stomatitis, spots appear in different places each time. A herpetic infection always has favorite areas on which it appears with each exacerbation.

How to distinguish herpes sore throat from stomatitis

It should be noted that herpes sore throat is not a consequence of the human papillomavirus, but a complication after adenovirus infection. That is, both diseases differ in their causes of development. Most often, angina is detected in children. Eruptions appear on the soft palate and tonsils. This is accompanied by acute pain in the abdomen and a change in stool to diarrhea.

The problem is that the disease starts abruptly with a rise in temperature literally up to 40 degrees and pain in the abdomen. This condition requires emergency hospitalization of the child and a complete diagnosis.

Causes of herpes stomatitis

The disease occurs in acute or chronic form. In the first case, the pathology is detected in children under three years of age. This is explained by the fact that during this period there is a primary infection of the body, which has already lost antibodies to the virus obtained from the mother. Even parents who are carriers of herpes can act as a source of infection. Especially often the transmission of infection occurs through spoons and common cups.

In the chronic form, the disease occurs in adult patients. With each decrease in immunity, an exacerbation is noted with the appearance of new rashes in the oral cavity or on the face. In addition, it is worth noting that type 2 of the virus can provoke a brilliant form, while type 1 mainly causes oral herpes. Infection is possible through household contact, airborne droplets. The first signs of infection may occur two weeks after infection. It is believed that any injury can provoke the appearance of rashes on the skin or mucous membrane of the oral cavity and tongue.

Treatment of herpetic stomatitis

It should be noted right away that infection with the virus occurs for life. If a rash appears once, the virus will always be in the blood. Thus, the treatment is reduced to the elimination of rashes and strengthening the immune system. The latter plays a leading role in prevention. Accordingly, it is important to prevent colds, mucosal injuries, and at high risk, take prophylactic antiviral drugs.

In the acute period, when vesicles have just appeared, it is important to provide the patient with individual household items. You should have your own cup, spoon, towel, toothbrush, and so on. It is recommended to review the diet. The menu should not contain spicy, salty, sour dishes. Food should be sparing, crushed. Pureed foods can be given to a child regardless of age, since when rashes appear, a sharp pain appears, as a result of which children refuse to eat. In addition, it is worth increasing the consumption of clean water. This will help relieve signs of intoxication.

Drug therapy

Herpes should be treated with drugs in various forms. These are both local funds and internal ones. The exact list should be compiled by the doctor, taking into account the degree of damage and the age of the patient.

Rinsings

Needed in cases of oral lesions. They allow to disinfect the mucous membrane, relieve inflammation and speed up the application process. As a rule, these are antiseptic solutions and anti-inflammatory compounds. Rinse your mouth every 3 hours.

If rashes appear on the lips at the same time, which look the same as those that appeared on the oral mucosa, it is worth treating them as well. For this, ointments and gels are used.

Vitamin therapy

Helps strengthen the immune system and speed up the recovery process. As a rule, complex drugs are used, selected by age.

Antivirals

To be used only on prescription. It can be local remedies in the form of an ointment. They are applied to the affected area several times a day, which allows you to relieve inflammation and speed up healing. Also, for certain indications, systemic drugs in tablets are used.

Preventive measures

Considering the chronic course of the pathology, prevention is more important. It is important to prevent the appearance of new rashes and the activation of the virus in the body. To do this, strengthen the immune system with the help of vitamins and trace elements. You also need to rethink your lifestyle. Hardening, giving up bad habits can reduce the frequency of relapses.

It is imperative to treat chronic diseases and acute pathologies. Even a cold can result in rashes in the mouth and on the lips, as it provokes a decrease in immunity. Timely initiated therapy reduces the risk of exacerbation of herpes.

In addition, it is important to observe personal hygiene, not to use other people’s toothbrushes, towels. Avoid the appearance of wounds on the mucous membrane or on the lips. Accordingly, you should carefully use toothpicks, threads, a toothbrush.

Herpes in the mouth causes unpleasant symptoms and indicates a decrease in immunity, so it is important not only to treat the rashes, but also to strengthen the body.

Herpetic stomatitis | Types, treatment

Herpetic stomatitis is a disease that occurs in adults and children. But usually it accompanies infants and kindergarten children. The causative agent of infection is the herpes virus of the first type. Among all types of stomatitis, herpetic is the most common.

Features of the disease in adults and children

Herpetic stomatitis in children appears frequently. Children from 1 to 3 years of age are especially susceptible to this infectious disease. The reason that the disease is typical only for babies lies in the characteristics of children of this age and their weak immune system.

After one year, breastfeeding usually stops, and therefore the mother’s antibodies cease to enter the child’s body. The immune system is under stress from viruses, infections and bacteria that rapidly attack the child when in contact with other babies, adults, studying the world around them.

Irregular hand hygiene, being in a closed room with carriers of infection in an open viral form leads to the fact that particles of the herpes virus enter the body of a young patient. The inflammatory process usually occurs in the oral cavity. This is how disease occurs.

Herpetic stomatitis in adults can also manifest itself. However, the immune system of an adult is more developed and stronger. Therefore, the disease usually proceeds in a mild form. If in childhood the patient easily suffered a disease that did not have time to turn into a relapsing form, the disease is unlikely to reappear, with frequent intervals. But at an advanced stage, stomatitis will certainly manifest itself again, but not necessarily in a severe form.

According to statistics, about 1 in 8 children under the age of three has had at least one herpetic stomatitis. An adult gets sick with it extremely rarely – during periods of recovery after a more serious illness, which significantly weakened his immunity. The disease manifests itself in no more than 3% of the population, which in childhood experienced the consequences of recurrent oral stomatitis.

Herpetic stomatitis: symptoms

When a person has acute stomatitis, its symptoms are hard to miss. Signs of the disease usually appear on the sixth day after infection. But sometimes the dormant period can last up to 25 days after infection with the herpes virus.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

• High temperature in the first 2 days after the discovery of the disease. When the dormant period ends, the patient has a feverish rise in temperature. In the mild stage, up to 38 degrees, lasts no more than 48 hours. In the middle stage, the temperature is higher by 1-1.5 degrees, falls on the second day. In the severe stage, there may be an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees. It can last more than two days.
• Discoloration of the mucous membrane in the oral cavity. The hue becomes brighter, to a deep red.
• Soreness when eating. When everything inside the mouth becomes inflamed, the process of chewing becomes unbearable. A person loses his appetite, his mood worsens.
• The appearance of inflammation on the oral mucosa. When the inside of the mouth is covered with small sores of a white, light pink hue that can fester and bleed, this is the main symptom of herpetic stomatitis.
• Ulcers are increasing in number. They can appear and grow over the next three days. The second name of the sores is aphthae.

When the disease recedes, the aphthae gradually heal. A person has an appetite, pain in the process of chewing food disappears. The clinical picture of recovery in dentistry is observed with the complete disappearance of any formations from the oral cavity.

Weak immunity is the main reason why acute herpetic stomatitis reappears. In adults, it usually proceeds in a mild form, often without fever and with minor aphthae in the oral cavity. In preschool children, the oral cavity becomes more inflamed. But it rarely goes into a strong stage with relapses.

Principles of treatment of herpetic stomatitis in dentistry

Herpetic stomatitis is easier to stop at the initial stage, when the disease has not yet spread to the entire oral cavity. In the presence of high temperatures, the process of getting rid of a viral infection is complicated, and the patient may be prescribed treatment in a hospital.

The main directions in therapy:

• Taking immunostrengthening drugs. The disease affects those who have a weak immune system. Taking medications that will help strengthen the immune system will increase the body’s resistance.
• Taking antiviral drugs. Treatment of stomatitis is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor. Any dental clinic has a practice of getting rid of this disease.
• Oral infection control. Rinsing with antiseptic solutions helps to eliminate the visible consequences of the disease that appear during the progression of the acute stage.

Do not self-medicate. All medicines should be prescribed only by a doctor. In dentistry, the main focus is on restoring the normal state of the oral cavity. If the disease manifests itself in the form of aphthae on other parts of the body, for example, fingers, you also need to contact a virologist or dermatologist.

Prevention of herpetic stomatitis

Treatment of herpetic stomatitis can take several weeks.