Other Herpes Simplex Diseases

HSV-1 and HSV-2 may cause disease in parts of the body other than the mouth and genitals, although this is less common. The herpes virus can invade nerves in the fingers or thumbs (herpes whitlow), other areas of the skin (herpes gladitorium), the cornea of the eye (ocular herpes), and the central nervous system (herpes simplex encephalitis).

Neonatal herpes simplex occurs when a mother passes the virus to her newborn child. Herpes can cause severe complications for newborns. If you are pregnant and suffer from herpes, talk to your doctor about precautionary options.