Pediatria pre prax 2/2013

Herpetic infections and their manifestations in children

Eight known human herpes viruses are known to this date – herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, HHV-6 (in two variants HHV-6A and HHV-6B), HHV-7 and HHV-8. These viruses are spread worldwide and humans represent their sole reservoir and host. Herpetic viruses cause a wide spectrum of diseases and, after primary infection, persist in the the organism for the entire life. Primary infections are acquired typically during childhood. Infections by these viruses are often asymptomatic in healthy individuals. On the other hand viral infection could be fatal for infected infants or immunosuppressed patients. Even originally healthy people could develop serious complications during herpetic infections as we known.

Keywords: herpes viral infections, herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, HHV-6A, HHV-6B, HHV-7, HHV-8.