By: John Trout
The word
"herpes" conjures up different images for
different people. Some see herpes as an ugly and
annoying cold sore or blister that periodically
appears on or around the lips. Others see herpes as
a feared sexually transmitted disease that, once you
have contracted, you have to suffer with for the
rest of your life. Of course both of these images do
represent the term "herpes" quite
accurately for many people throughout the world, but
medically speaking herpes is also appropriately
applied to several lesser known afflictions. These
conditions include herpes inside the mouth (herpes
gingivostomatitis), herpes of the throat (herpes
pharyngitis), herpes of the eye (herpes keratitis),
herpes of the brain (herpes encephalitis), herpes
transmitted to newborn infants (neonatal herpes),
chickenpox (varicella-zoster), mono (mononucleosis)
and shingles (herpes-zoster). All of these
conditions are caused by one of the two closely
related herpes viruses known as herpes simplex virus
type 1 and herpes simplex virus type 2.
To truly understand the herpes virus it is helpful
to first gain some knowledge about viruses in
general. Viruses are the smallest known microbes, or
infectious agents, that medical science has
discovered to date. Most viruses consist of a
nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat known as a
capsid; this nucleic acid-protein complex is
referred to as a nucleocapsid. In more complex
viruses, such as the herpes virus, the nucleocapsid
is surrounded by a membrane-like structure
containing carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. This
membrane-like structure is referred to as an
envelope. Each virus contains one of two large
complex chemicals that contain the viruses genetic
code which serves as a blueprint for making more
viruses. This complex chemical code is either RNA
(ribonucleic acid) or DNA (deozyribonucleic acid).
Unlike bacteria and more complex organisms, viruses
do not carry all the equipment necessary to
reproduce themselves. In order to multiply, a virus
must enter a living cell, remove the cells protein
coat and then use its RNA or DNA to redirect the
cells synthesizing mechanism to make more copies of
the virus. This process of making new viruses can
actually destroy or injure the living or 'host'
cell. If enough living host cells are injured or
destroyed it results in a viral illness such as
influenza (the flu), viral diarrhea or genital
herpes. There are hundreds of known viruses and
probably thousands of others not yet discovered.
Each virus has adapted to infect a particular type
of cell in a specific living organism which explains
why there are so many types of viruses. Because they
have become so specialized some viruses can only
infect certain types of cells, for instance, liver
cells or muscle cells or brain cells while leaving
other cells alone. Likewise, many viruses are even
limited to the type of species they can infect. In
general, this usually means that viruses which
infect cells in one type of animal, say a dog, can
not be passed on to another type of animal, say a
cat. Of course as with most rules, there are
exceptions and some viruses can cause similar
diseases in closely related species. Another
exception is that sometimes viruses can cause also
cause very different illnesses in the same species.
The term "herpesvirus" refers to any
member of the herpes simplex type 1 and herpes
simplex type 2 virus family. The necleocapsid of a
herpes virus is surrounded by an envelope with
spike-like structures projecting from the surface
and contains DNA. So far, scientist have identified
over 115 different herpesviruses and have found more
than 50 different animal species that can be
infected with some type of herpes virus. Humans
appear to be a natural reservoir for at least 8
different types of the herpes viruses that normally
spread from human to human and generally do not
cause disease in other animals.
Coming in contact with the virus, usually through
sexual intercourse, is the first in a complex series
of events that result in contracting genital herpes.
Projecting from the outer surface of the herpes
virus are protein-carbohydrate structures called
glycoproteins. Glycoproteins allow the virus to
attach initially to proteoglycans, which are complex
chemical structures present on the surface of living
cells. After attaching to the host cell,
glycopoteins then interact with the cells surface
structures to trigger changes in the cell membranes
cytoskeletal structure. These changes allow the
viral envelope to fuse with the cell plasma
membrane, essentially merging to form a changed
cell. When this fusion occurs, the nucleocapsid of
the herpes virus enters into the cytoplasm of the
host cell, attaching tiny skeleton-like structures
known as microtubules and microfilaments which form
an internal transportation network used to move
materials within the cell. Using this structure the
DNA of the herpes virus enters the nucleus of the
host cell where it makes copies of the viral DNA
which are released from the cell and spread to and
infect other surrounding cells. This process of
generating new virus particles kills the infected
host cell.
If the herpes virus remained in the skins cells
where initial viral attachment occurs, chances are
that a health immune system could eventually control
the infection and rid the body of the virus. The
herpes virus however has found a way to hide from
the immune system by hibernating in nerve cells. For
unknown reasons the herpes virus does not start the
replicating process in a select number of nerve
cells, instead hibernating and establishing a latent
infection. When the herpes virus is hybernating it
is in an inactive state and can not be detected by
the immune system. This inactive state is referred
to as latent infection or simply latency. Latency
does not cause illness but unfortunately the latent
virus can reactivate and produce more virus which,
in turn, causes recurrent herpes.
How reactivation occurs is unknown but it can happen
for no apparent reason or be triggered by trauma,
stress, or exposure to ultraviolet radiation such as
too much sunlight. Whatever the trigger, after
reactivation, the herpes virus is transported from
the nerve cell body to the nerve endings where it is
released into the skin to replicate in the skin
cells. This replication may sometimes cause full
blown herpes sores outbreaks, but other times may
result in "shedding" the virus which
causes no recognizable symptoms. However, either
way, whether this reactivation is symptomatic or
asyptomatic, the person is contagious during this
reactivation period and it is possible to pass on
the virus to a partner. For this reason, experts
recommend that people with genital herpes use
condoms even when there is no obvious symptoms of an
active herpes breakout.
This article is part
of a free educational series of articles written by
John Trout, on the subject of the herpes virus. To
get the complete series, simply send a blank email
to: herpes@newsabout.info
Article
Source: http://www.herpes-pics.com/
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