Herpes simplex type 1 commonly presents as which of the following?

Herpes simplex type 1 commonly presents as which of the following?

• A. Genital ulcers
• B. Shingles
• C. Warts
• D. Cold sores

Answer: (D)

Herpes simplex virus type 1 is classically linked to oral herpes, presenting as cold sores around the mouth. After the initial infection, the virus persists in a latent form in the trigeminal ganglion and can reactivate periodically, producing recurrent vesicular lesions on the lips and perioral skin that crust over. This recurrent, mouth-centered pattern is the hallmark of HSV-1 infection for most people. Shingles is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus and shows up as a painful, unilateral vesicular rash following a dermatomal distribution, typically on the torso. Warts come from human papillomavirus and appear as papillomatous skin growths. Genital ulcers can be due to herpes, including HSV-1 or HSV-2, but the most common presentation associated with HSV-1 is oral cold sores.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 is classically linked to oral herpes, presenting as cold sores around the mouth. After the initial infection, the virus persists in a latent form in the trigeminal ganglion and can reactivate periodically, producing recurrent vesicular lesions on the lips and perioral skin that crust over. This recurrent, mouth-centered pattern is the hallmark of HSV-1 infection for most people.

Shingles is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus and shows up as a painful, unilateral vesicular rash following a dermatomal distribution, typically on the torso. Warts come from human papillomavirus and appear as papillomatous skin growths. Genital ulcers can be due to herpes, including HSV-1 or HSV-2, but the most common presentation associated with HSV-1 is oral cold sores.