Some common viral infections are caused by herpesviruses. Eight different herpesviruses infect people:
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Three herpesviruses—herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, and varicella-zoster virus (herpesvirus type 3, which causes chickenpox and shingles)—cause infections that produce blisters on the skin or mucus membranes.
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Epstein-Barr virus (herpesvirus type 4) causes infectious mononucleosis and may be involved in certain cancers (such as nasopharyngeal cancer, Burkitt lymphoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma).
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Cytomegalovirus (herpesvirus type 5) is a cause of serious infections in newborns and in people with a weakened immune system. It can also cause symptoms similar to infectious mononucleosis in people with a healthy immune system.
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Human herpesviruses 6 and 7 cause a childhood infection called roseola infantum.
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Human herpesvirus 8 causes certain cancers (Kaposi sarcoma and some types of lymphoma), in people with a weakened immune system such as people with AIDS.
All of the herpesviruses cause lifelong infection because the virus remains within its host cell in an inactive (dormant or latent) state. Sometimes the virus reactivates and produces further episodes of disease. Symptoms from reactivation can be different than the symptoms of the initial infection. Reactivation may occur rapidly or many years after the initial infection. (See also Overview of Viral Infections.)
Treatment of Herpesvirus Infections
Some antiviral drugs have been developed to treat one or more herpesvirus infections.
Some Antiviral Drugs for Herpesvirus Infections
Drug |
Common Uses |
Some Side Effects |
|
Acyclovir |
Herpes zoster (shingles) |
Few serious side effects Rarely, kidney damage Rarely, in people with a weakened immune system, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) |
|
Cidofovir |
Cytomegalovirus infections, including retinitis (infection of the retina of the eye) |
Kidney damage |
|
Famciclovir |
Herpes zoster (shingles) |
Few serious side effects |
|
Foscarnet |
Kidney damage |
|
|
Ganciclovir |
Cytomegalovirus infections, including retinitis |
Low white blood cell count |
|
Penciclovir (cream) |
Few side effects Redness at site of application |
|
|
Trifluridine (eye drops) |
Herpes simplex keratitis (infection of the cornea) |
Stinging of the eyes Swelling of the eyelids |
|
Valacyclovir |
Herpes zoster (shingles) |
Few serious side effects (similar to acyclovir) |
|
Valganciclovir |
Similar to ganciclovir (that is, a low white blood cell count) |
|
|
Vidarabine (as ointment applied to the eyes) |
Irritation of the eyes Sensitivity to light |
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
Valganciclovir |
VALCYTE |
Valacyclovir |
VALTREX |
Trifluridine |
VIROPTIC |
Penciclovir |
DENAVIR |
Famciclovir |
FAMVIR |
Ganciclovir |
CYTOVENE |
Acyclovir |
ZOVIRAX |
Foscarnet |
FOSCAVIR |
Cidofovir |
VISTIDE |
