and Diseases they cause
I recently came across a slideshow on Medscape, which helped me to organize my knowledge about human herpes viruses. I started writing a summary for myself but later thought it may be useful for nursing and medical students interested in this Infectious Disease topic.
Listed below is my brief summary of the article. You will find a full article and slide presentation with some great images using the link included below (1). Medscape requires a free registration to access the site materials.
Please let me know in comments of any errors and omissions, any additional info you would add to this summary - thank you!
Image source: Wikipedia
There are 8 serotypes of herpes viruses affecting humans:
HHV1, Human Herpes Virus 1, also known as Herpes Simplex Virus 1, HSV1
Initial infection with this virus causes oral herpes and afterwards the virus may become latent. When reactivated it causes a common cold sore. This virus is also one of the most common causes of herpes encephalitis (HSE)!
HHV2, also known as Herpes Simplex Virus 2, HSV 2
The virus causes genital herpes, but occasionally it can also cause oral mucosal lesions.
HHV3, also known as Varicella zoster virus or VZV
Primary infection with this virus causes chickenpox. The chickenpox is rare nowadays due to childhood VZV vaccination. In people who suffered from chickenpox the virus can become latent. When reactivated this latent infection can cause shingles, or herpes zoster.
Some important clinical presentations of herpes zoster to remember:
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is a herpes zoster affecting ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN 5). The rash can extend to the tip of the nose, so called Hutchinson's sign.
- Herpes zoster oticus is affecting Facial nerve (CN 7), causing painful rash in the ear canal and anterior 2/3 of the tongue. It is also called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
HHV4, also known as Epstein Barr virus, EBV
The virus causes infectious mononucleosis, also known as “Mono”, or “kissing disease”.
HHV5, also known as Cytomegalovirus, CMV
the virus causes a clinical condition similar to infectious mononucleosis. It can become chronic and later reactivate in immunocompromised individuals.
HHV6 => Sixth disease!
It causes febrile illness with a skin rash in children, called Sixth disease or Roseola Infantum. It also a common cause of childhood febrile seizures.
Of note, Fifth disease, or Erythema infectiosum, is caused by a parvovirus, B19.
HHV7
Infection with this virus can also cause Roseola Infantum and childhood febrile seizures.
HHV8
This virus is associated with Kaposi sarcomas, also with Castleman disease and body cavity lymphomas.
Disclaimer
The material provided here is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for current clinical guidelines, or expert opinion in relation to decision making in clinical practice. The information contained within should not be substituted for or be considered a medical advice. Whilst the material in this article has been carefully prepared by the author, it is not tailored to any particular patient’s circumstances. Please discuss with your licensed healthcare provider if you feel the information presented here may be relevant to you or your family.
Excellent publication this virus is very difficult to cure, I get it when I get stressed or I have a strong emosion is uncontrollable, it manifests with small ulcers on the skin, pruito and discomfort
Thank you for your comment, stay well!
I like this your post 👍
Thank you!
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