Cold Sores - Terminology

Asymptomatic infection

No apparent symptoms of infection

Axon

Nerve cell extension

Ganglion/Ganglia

These are the singular and plural for a collection of nerve cell bodies (a nerve center) just like a node in an electricity grid

Host

Infected person

Immunocompetent

Someone with normal immunity

Immunocompromised

Someone with a decreased level of immunity

Latent virus

Dormant virus

Neuron

Nerve cell

Primary infection

First contact with HSV-1 or HSV-2

Reactivation

Activation of dormant virus

Recurrent infection

Reactivation of HSV, with or without symptoms

Seroconversion

Previously HSV antibody-negative patient becomes HSV antibody-positive

Subclinical infection

Infection without any apparent symptoms

Viral shedding

Virus is present on the skin, genitals, or in the mouth, with or without clinical symptoms