Final answer:
Target lesions are not a term typically associated with herpes virus; the herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes vesicular or ulcerative lesions. HSV-1 usually results in oral cold sores, whereas HSV-2 is most often linked with genital herpes. Both types can infect various body areas and remain latent, reactivating periodically.
Step-by-step explanation:
Target lesions, specifically associated with herpes virus infections, are not commonly described as such in medical literature. Instead, herpetic lesions resulting from herpes simplex virus (HSV) tend to be described as vesicular or ulcerative. In general, HSV-1 causes oral lesions commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters, typically on or around the lips. HSV-1 can remain latent within the trigeminal nerve ganglia and reactivate in response to stress or certain environmental conditions.
HSV-2, on the other hand, is typically associated with genital herpes, with lesions appearing on the genitals which can be painful and accompanied by a watery discharge. While the lips, mouth, and face are the most common sites for HSV-1 infections, the virus can also affect other areas of the body, such as the neck, shoulders, trunk, and fingers. Direct eye contact with discharge from herpes lesions elsewhere in the body can lead to eye infections.
It is important to note that both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can infect both oral and genital regions, and so-called target lesions are not specific to herpes. The term 'target lesion' is more commonly used in the context of erythema multiforme, which may sometimes be triggered by herpes simplex infections. However, herpes-related lesions are typically vesicular and may coalesce to form larger ulcerative sores that eventually crust over and heal.