The Department of Dermatology at Fukuoka University specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of herpes virus infections.

There are nine types of herpes viruses known to infect humans. Among them, three primarily affect the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves:

• Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1)
• Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2)
• Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster)

We conduct PCR testing to detect HSV-1 and HSV-2 as part of our research to establish accurate and rapid diagnostic methods.

Cold sores are small blisters that appear around the lips, often triggered by fever during colds. Many people experience a tingling or prickling sensation before symptoms appear.

The cause is Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1), which usually remains dormant in the trigeminal nerve. Occasionally, the virus reactivates, traveling down the nerves to the lips, causing outbreaks.

Although this may sound alarming, about half of the Japanese population carries this virus. The prevalence increases with age, and most elderly individuals have been infected at some point in their lives.

Cold sores can be treated with oral antiviral medications, which help shorten the duration and severity of the outbreak. Accurate diagnosis is essential, and at Fukuoka University Hospital’s Department of Dermatology, we conduct genetic tests to detect HSV-1 as part of our research to understand when and how herpes virus infections occur.

Since effective treatment is available, early and accurate diagnosis is critical. If you frequently experience warning signs (such as tingling before an outbreak), you can receive antiviral medication in advance to self-administer when symptoms begin. This approach is known as Patient-Initiated Therapy (PIT).

Genital herpes is primarily caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) and results in blistering sores on the genital area.

Unlike oral herpes, the first episode of genital herpes tends to be severe, occurring in both men and women. It is sexually transmitted, and symptoms typically appear a few days after exposure, presenting as painful swelling, blisters, and ulcerations.

Although the condition can be treated with the same antiviral medications as oral herpes, severe cases may cause fever, fatigue, and difficulty urinating. HSV-2 may also cause recurrent outbreaks in the genital or buttock area, though recurrences are usually milder than the initial infection.

If you are concerned, please visit a clinic with a referral letter detailing your medical history and treatments for further evaluation.

For individuals who experience frequent outbreaks, suppressive therapy (daily antiviral medication) can prevent symptoms from appearing. Please consult your doctor about this option. Unfortunately, current treatments cannot eliminate HSV-2 from the nerves.

Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) during a person’s first infection. It was once a common childhood disease, especially in winter.

Since 2014, Japan introduced routine vaccinations for one-year-old children, leading to a significant decline in cases. Today, chickenpox is only seen sporadically in small numbers of children.

Antiviral medication is available for VZV, and early treatment can reduce symptoms and complications.

After a chickenpox infection, VZV remains dormant in the nervous system. Many years later, the virus can reactivate, spreading along a nerve pathway and causing shingles (herpes zoster).

Shingles typically causes severe pain on one side of the body, followed by the appearance of a band-like rash. The risk of shingles increases after age 50, affecting about 1 in 100 people per year. In Japan, it is estimated that one in three individuals will develop shingles at some point in their lifetime.

Shingles can be treated with antiviral medications, which are most effective when started early. However, severe cases can cause widespread blisters, fever, and systemic illness, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. In such cases, hospitalization and intravenous antiviral therapy may be required.

Some individuals—especially those with severe symptoms or advanced age—may experience long-term nerve pain after shingles, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). If PHN develops, pain management treatment is required, and collaboration with pain clinics (specialized pain treatment centers) may be necessary.

There are two types of shingles vaccines available in Japan:

1. Live Vaccine (Varicella Vaccine) – Single-dose injection
2. Recombinant (Shingrix) Vaccine – Two doses (given 2 months apart)

• Live Vaccine is less expensive but less effective in older adults. It is approved for individuals aged 50 and above but cannot be given to immunocompromised individuals.
• Recombinant Vaccine (Shingrix) is more effective, but it is more expensive. It is approved for:
  • Individuals aged 50 and older
  • Individuals aged 18 and older who are at higher risk of developing shingles
  • Common side effects include pain and swelling at the injection site and, in some cases, fever.

From April 2025, the shingles vaccine will become a routine immunization for individuals aged 65 in Japan.

At Fukuoka University Hospital’s Department of Dermatology, we offer shingles vaccinations upon request. If you are interested, please consult with us.

If you have concerns about any of these herpes virus infections, please obtain a referral letter from your primary doctor with details of your medical history and treatments before visiting our clinic.