What causes a Persistent hsv1 virus?

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes a persistent infection in the trigeminal ganglia after the primary infection. This latency is characterized by the absence of infectious virus in the ganglia, but the virus can be reactivated by various stimuli, such as stress, fever, or ultraviolet light. During reactivation, the virus travels down the axons of the trigeminal nerve and infects the mucosal cells of the mouth or skin, causing recurrent cold sores or fever blisters.

The ability of HSV-1 to establish a persistent infection is due to several factors, including:

1) The virus evades the host immune response by expressing proteins that interfere with the function of immune cells.

2) The virus can exist in a latent state in the ganglia, where it is inaccessible to the immune system.

3) The virus can undergo genetic mutations that allow it to escape the immune response.

These factors allow HSV-1 to persist in the body for the lifetime of the infected individual, and recurrent outbreaks can occur throughout the person's life.