What is a common viral infection of the skin often caused by the herpes simplex virus?

The common viral infection of the skin caused by the herpes simplex virus is cold sores. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, typically appear as small, fluid-filled blisters around the lips or mouth. They are a result of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), although herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which is more commonly associated with genital herpes, can also cause cold sores in some cases.

The virus remains dormant in the body after the initial infection and can reactivate due to various triggers, leading to recurrent outbreaks. Cold sores are highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct contact with the lesions or through saliva, even when no visible sores are present.

Other conditions mentioned are caused by different pathogens or have distinct characteristics. For instance, warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), shingles is a manifestation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox), and impetigo is a bacterial skin infection often caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. These differences clarify why cold sores are specifically linked to the herpes simplex virus.