Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a linear dsDNA virus that causes primary and recurrent vesicular eruptions, especially in the orolabial and genital mucosa.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 is considered to be very contagious, it’s present worldwide.
Statistically, most HSV-1 infections arise throughout childhood. The infection is permanent, as it is a lifelong condition. Many of the HSV-1 infections are in or around the mouth (oral herpes, orolabial, oral-labial, or oral-facial herpes). There are also HSV-1 infections related to genital herpes (genital and/or anal area).
Orolabial herpes, herpetic sycosis (HSV folliculitis), herpes gladiatorum, herpetic whitlow, ocular HSV infection, herpes encephalitis, Kaposi varicelliform eruption (eczema herpeticum), and severe or chronic HSV infection are all possible manifestations of HSV-1 infection.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it has been reported that in 2016, almost 3.7 billion people under 50 years old were HSV-1 positive. These people account for 67% of the global population. It is quite interesting that the highest rate of prevalence of HSV-1 infection has been recorded in Africa, where 88% of the population was positive, while the lowest prevalence rate of HSV-1 infection was in the opposite geographical and economic part of the World, the American continent, where only 45% of the population was infected. However, the prevalence rates of HSV-1 infection changes from region to region.