Herpes Information

Viral Structure

Herpes is caused by a virus, a very small (about 100 times smaller than a bacteria) biological agent that causes disease. There are generally three parts to a virus:

• genes that carry the viral genetic information (nucleic acid)
• a protein coat to protect the genes
• an envelope surrounding the virus

A virus does not multiply in the same manner a cell does. A cell divides in two halves (fission) Each half is a perfect copy of the original cell, with a full quantity of genetic information. A virus, like the herpes virus, must get inside a host cell to reproduce itself. It has its own inadequate molecule of nucleic acid holding many less genes and enzymes than the host cell. This impedes its ability to start the process of replication by itself so the virus needs to use the host cell’s internal materials to multiply.

Basically, a cell is filled with cytoplasm which is filled with organelles - the most important being the nucleus. The nucleus holds the cell DNA (the carrier of genetic information). The nucleus is enclosed within two very thin coatings making up the nuclear envelope. There are pores in the nucleus allowing traffic to enter and exit it.

Viral Infection of a Host Cell

• The herpes virus finds itself on the skin of the host by direct skin to skin contact. The more viruses involved, the more likely infection will take place.


• The envelope enclosing the virus particle then “docks” with proteins on the cell surface. It then enters the cell through its pores.


• The virus makes its way into the nucleus of the host cell and begins to replicate itself over and over, making thousands of copies of itself within a very short period of time.


• The herpes viruses then meld with the plasma membrane. The new virus particles spread to adjoining host cells by fusion with their membranes or through their pores, and the adjoining host cell becomes infected.


• The virus is replicated to very elevated levels at the site of infection during the initial infection.


• The body’s immune system is alerted and will immediately begin to attack the virus. This causes the virus to retreat from the skin’s surface.


• It is during this time that the virus travels along the nerve axons (long extensions of the nerve cell) away from the cell. It travels along the nerve pathways until it reaches the nerve cells near the bottom of your spine in sensory nerve ganglia.


• When the virus reaches the nerve ganglion, there is a period of severe infection in the ganglion. This ganglion infection resolves as the infection at the original site resolves.