Negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of numerous herpes simplex virions

• Contributor: Scott Camazine / Alamy Stock Photo
• Image ID: BN3KP7
• File size: 49.9 MB (2.4 MB Compressed download)
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• Dimensions: 3858 x 4520 px | 32.7 x 38.3 cm | 12.9 x 15.1 inches | 300dpi

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Negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of numerous herpes simplex virions, members of the Herpesviridae virus family. There are two strains of the herpes simplex virus, HSV-1, which is responsible for cold sores, and HSV-2, which is responsible for genital herpes. At the core of its icosahedral proteinaceous capsid, the HSV contains a double-stranded DNA linear genome. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found in and released from the sores that the viruses cause, but they also are released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to have a sore. Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called “fever blisters.” HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or g