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Types of Herpes Sores

Three of the eight human herpesviruses (numbered HHV-1 through HHV-8) lead to red rash with blisters. These are HHV-1, HHV-2 and HHV-3; these are the three human herpesviruses that go latent in nerve cells and can lead to recurrences of pain or itching and blistering rash.

  1. Cold Sores

    • Most cold sores are caused by HHV-1, also known as HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus-1). Initial symptoms include pain, burning or tingling in the area that will be affected, followed by rash and blisters that appear around the mouth and nose, according to Mayo Clinic. Blisters soon break open, form a crust and then clear up.

    Genital Herpes

    • Most cases of genital herpes are caused by HHV-2 (HSV-2), but can also be caused by HHV-1, just as HHV-2 can lead to cold sores. Symptoms are similar to those of cold sores; for many people, symptoms of both HHV-1 and HHV-2 tend to improve and may disappear over time.

    Chickenpox

    • Chickenpox is caused by infection with HHV-3, also known as varicella-zoster virus (VZV). According to the Mayo Clinic, an itchy red rash appears, along with fluid-filled blisters that crust and clear.

    Shingles

    • Shingles is caused by a flare-up of VZV, which generally occurs decades after infection with chickenpox. The red rash and blisters of shingles are accompanied by pain that can be intense.

    Treatment

    • Specific therapy for these forms of herpes blisters is a course of antiviral drugs, including acyclovir, valacyclovir and fanciclovir. Other treatments are used to manage the individual symptoms of specific conditions, most often including pain relief.

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