Herpes Simplex Virus: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by herpes simplex infection:

Respiratory system (J00-J99)

  • Tracheobronchitis (inflammation of the tracheal and bronchial mucosa; in patients with advanced HIV infection).
  • HSV pneumonia (HSV pneumonia; in patients with advanced HIV infection).

Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59).

  • Acute retinal necrosis (ARN; inflammation of retina (retina) and retinal pigment epithelium with significant visual loss) (in patients with advanced HIV infection).
  • Keratitis dentritica/-disciformis – inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eyes.

Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96).

  • Herpes neonatorum (almost always HSV-2; neonatal herpes) – transmission of infection to the child during birth (infection via the birth canal) resulting in severe infection of the newborn, which may lead to death of the child; neonatal risk of infection is 40-50% with maternal (mother’s) primary infection in the last 4 weeks before birth

Skin and subcutaneous (L00-L99).

  • Erythema exsudativum multiforme (synonyms: erythema multiforme, cocard erythema, disc rose) – acute inflammation occurring in the upper corium (dermis), resulting in typical cocard-shaped lesions; a distinction is made between a minor and a major form.

Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

  • Eczema herpeticatum – herpes simplex infection on eczematous skin (e.g., patients with atopic eczema/neurodermatitis).
  • Gingivostomatitis herpetica (synonyms: Oral thrush; Stomatitis aphthosa, Aphthous stomatitis; Stomatitis herpetica; Herpes simplex type 1, HSV-1).
  • Genital herpes (genital herpes; HSV-2).
  • Herpes gladiatorum – form of herpes occurring in wrestlers.
  • Herpes labialis (cold sore; HSV-1)
  • Herpes simplex sepsis (rare)

Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99)

  • Anti-NMDA receptor IgG-positive encephalitis – chronic autoimmune disease that may occur secondary to HSV encephalitis.
  • HSV encephalitis (brain inflammation) (rare).

Genitourinary system (N00-N99)

  • Vulvovaginitis herpetica

Digestive system (K00-K93)

  • Colitis (inflammation of the bowel; in patients with advanced HIV infection).
  • Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus; in patients with advanced HIV infection).

Note: For details on sequelae of herpes labialis or genital herpes, see the disease of the same name.