What it means
A very common virus spread by close contact with saliva or sores. After the first infection it stays dormant in nerve cells for life and can reactivate, often with stress, illness or sun, to cause painful blisters around the lips. It also causes many cases of genital herpes and, rarely, infections of the eye or brain.
For the nurse
Teach the client to avoid kissing and sharing cups or lip products during an outbreak, and to wash hands after touching sores. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir shorten outbreaks. Nurses with active cold sores should follow policy about caring for newborns and clients with weak immune systems.
At a glance
| Also written | herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus 1 |
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Easy to confuse with
HSV-2
Herpes simplex virus type 2, the virus that most often causes genital herpes.
Related terms
herpes simplex virus
A common virus that infects the skin and lining of the mouth or genitals and stays in the body for life.
HSV-2
Herpes simplex virus type 2, the virus that most often causes genital herpes.