Herpesvirus is a kind of enveloped double-stranded DNA virus. Among more than 100 kinds of herpesvirus that have been discovered, only 8 can infect humans, which is called human herpesvirus (HHV).
In addition to varicella-zoster virus (VZV), The other seven are herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6), human herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7) and human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) that can be infected by immunocompromised patients. Also known as Kapos sarcoma herpes virus KSHV).
The Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminded that the herpes virus family is characterized by the persistence of the virus in the host body in a latent state, as if a buried mine in the human body, once certain conditions are reached, it will detonate.
The most common herpes simplex viruses — Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 belong to the family α herpesviridae, which are common and have a long history. Hsv-1 is one of the viruses with the highest prevalence in the world.
In acute episodes of HSV-1 and HSV-2, herpes can occur in areas such as the lips and genitals. After infection recovery, the virus can be latent in ganglion neurons, when the body appears other diseases, fatigue, stress and other circumstances, the latent virus will be activated and a large number of replication, causing local recurrence of herpes.
At present, there are no specific drugs to treat this type of herpes virus infection, and the commonly used drugs such as acyclovir can only relieve the clinical symptoms and shorten the course of disease, but cannot prevent re-infection.
The best known herpes virus — Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
VZV also belongs to the α herpesvirus family. The first infection (the primary infection) manifests as varicella. After varicella is cured, the virus can still lurk in the ganglia.
At present, vaccination against chickenpox is recognized as one of the most effective and economical ways to prevent chickenpox. Since 2018, the city has provided two doses of chickenpox vaccine for school-age children free of charge, which can more effectively reduce chickenpox cases.
At present, the city also has herpes zoster vaccine can be used to prevent herpes zoster, for 50 years old and above citizens voluntary, at their own expenses.
Epstein-barr virus (EBV), the most advanced herpes virus
EBV belongs to the gamma herpesviridae family. More than 90% of adults worldwide are serologically EBV positive, and most continue to be asymptomatic throughout life. EBV is the main pathogen of infectious mononucleosis, occasionally causing lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, thymic carcinoma and other malignant tumors.
EBV can be divided into type 1 and type 2 according to different nuclear antigen sequences, and mixed infection of EBV1+EBV2 also exists.
The giant of the herpesviruses, Human cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMV, a member of the beta herpesviridae family, is the largest human herpesvirus at the genomic level, about twice as large as varicella-zoster virus. CMV can be transmitted through saliva, mother to child, organ and bone marrow transplants, and is widespread in the population. Most infections are invisible.
However, recent studies have found that some chronic diseases, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, pulmonary hypertension, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, are closely related to CMV virus, and CMV virus can even be an independent risk factor for these chronic diseases.
In some high-risk groups, such as immunocompromised organ transplant patients, HIV-infected patients and newborns with congenital infection, reactivation of the virus can cause diseases such as CMV pneumonia and CMV colitis, and even threaten patients’ lives.
There’s not only love in a kiss, there’s hhV-6, HHV-7
Hhv-6 and HHV-7 belong to the β herpesviridae. Hhv-6 and HHV-7 are spread mainly through saliva, so infections are very common and are one of the common causes of infant rose rash (infantile exanthema, also known as rose rash or disease 6).
Hhv-6 and HHV-7 infections are often self-limiting diseases. After the disease develops to a certain extent, the disease development can be controlled and cured by the body regulation. No specific treatment is required, but symptomatic treatment is sufficient if there are complications.
Kapossarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV), the most “strange” herpes virus
Like EBV, KSHV belongs to the gamma herpesviridae family. In 1994, the virus was first detected in kapos sarcoma tissues of HIV-infected patients.
KSHV is transmitted mainly through saliva, and sexual contact, blood transfusion, organ and bone marrow transplantation, and mother-to-child transmission are all considered to have important potential transmission effects.
The exact mechanism of KSHV infection remains unclear. It usually exists in the body as a latent infection. When provoked by certain factors, the virus goes into a state of replication and causes the disease.
Virus of herpes of majority human does not cause clinical symptom or cause slight symptom only, it is self-limited disease more, often latent is inside the person body after primary infection, as immunity abate can cause secondary infection, immune blemish or personnel of serious disease, need sees a doctor in time and cure.
Pay attention to the following points to reduce the chances of infection or reduce the symptoms of infection:
1, good living habits, balanced diet, pay attention to personal hygiene.
- Develop good fitness habits and enhance physical fitness.
Varicella-zoster virus infection can be prevented by vaccination.
- If you are suspected to be infected with human herpes virus and feel unwell, please go to the hospital for treatment in time.