Herpes labialis is caused by which virus?

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Multiple Choice

Herpes labialis is caused by which virus?

Herpes labialis, or cold sores around the mouth, is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1. This virus commonly infects the oral region and establishes lifelong latency in the trigeminal ganglion, with reactivation producing recurrent vesicular lesions on the lips and perioral skin. While HSV-1 is the usual culprit for oral herpes, HSV-2 more commonly causes genital herpes, though both can infect either site. The other viruses listed don’t typically cause this pattern of lesions: human herpesvirus 6 leads to roseola in children; Coxsackievirus causes hand-foot-mouth disease or herpangina; cytomegalovirus can cause a mononucleosis-like illness or congenital infections.

Herpes labialis, or cold sores around the mouth, is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1. This virus commonly infects the oral region and establishes lifelong latency in the trigeminal ganglion, with reactivation producing recurrent vesicular lesions on the lips and perioral skin. While HSV-1 is the usual culprit for oral herpes, HSV-2 more commonly causes genital herpes, though both can infect either site.

The other viruses listed don’t typically cause this pattern of lesions: human herpesvirus 6 leads to roseola in children; Coxsackievirus causes hand-foot-mouth disease or herpangina; cytomegalovirus can cause a mononucleosis-like illness or congenital infections.

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