Human Herpesviruses: Eight Types, Diseases, and Clinical Features
Eight herpesviruses infect humans, establishing lifelong latency with periodic reactivation.
| Virus | Disease(s) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| HSV-1 (HHV-1) | Oral herpes (cold sores), encephalitis, keratitis | Ubiquitous; reactivates from trigeminal ganglion |
| HSV-2 (HHV-2) | Genital herpes, neonatal herpes | Sexually transmitted; sacral ganglion latency |
| VZV (HHV-3) | Chickenpox (primary), Shingles (reactivation) | Highly contagious; dermatomal reactivation |
| EBV (HHV-4) | Infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt lymphoma, NPC | B-cell latency; "kissing disease" |
| CMV (HHV-5) | Mononucleosis-like, severe in immunocompromised, congenital | Saliva/urine/transplant transmission |
| HHV-6 | Roseola (exanthem subitum), febrile seizures | Nearly universal childhood infection |
| HHV-7 | Roseola-like, pityriasis rosea (possible) | Similar to HHV-6, later acquisition |
| KSHV (HHV-8) | Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, MCD | Immunocompromised (HIV, transplant) |
Clinical Pearls
- Coinfection is common; immunosuppression drives reactivation.
- Antivirals (acyclovir, valacyclovir, ganciclovir, foscarnet) target viral DNA polymerase.
- Vaccines: VZV (varicella, shingles); others in development.
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