Caption

Herpes infection seen at the back of a patient's mouth during a throat examination. The red spots on the palate and at the back of the throat (pharynx) are due to an infection with the Herpes simplex (cold sore) virus. The infection is contagious and spread by direct contact with the blisters or their fluid. There are two types of herpes simplex virus; HSV1, which causes infections of the nose, mouth and face, and HSV2, which infects the genitals. There is no cure for herpes simplex infection, but outbreaks can be treated with the antiviral drug acyclovir.