Herpes simplex is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which is characterized by clusters of blisters and is a common dermatologic viral infection. Herpes simplex virus type 2, the initial infection, begins in sexually active people and is transmitted through close sexual contact, causing infection of the genital area and occasionally can be transmitted from mother to child resulting in infection of the newborn. Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus latent in the ganglia and manifests as clusters of blisters in unilateral areas of the cranial or spinal sensory nerve branches, often accompanied by significant neuralgia.