Abstract
Human herpesviruses are ubiquitous, and while most infections are asymptomatic or unrecognized, they can result in illness that ranges from trivial to life-threatening. Infections are typically more severe in malnourished and immunocompromised individuals. Commonly recognized illnesses include herpes labialis and herpes genitalis caused by herpes simplex viruses, chickenpox resulting from varicella-zoster virus infection, infectious mononucleosis due to cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr viruses, and roseola (exanthema subitum or sixth disease) caused by human herpesvirus 6. Two herpesviruses are associated with malignancies: Epstein-Barr virus with Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma; and human herpesvirus 8 with Kaposi's sarcoma. Some herpesviruses can be transmitted from mother to fetus or newborn with devastating consequences such as neonatal herpes simplex virus infection or congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Antiviral therapy is available for the treatment of herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus infections. There is an effective live-attenuated vaccine for the prevention of varicella-zoster virus infections. Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection increases the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission and may accelerate HIV disease progression.
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