Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Human Herpes Viruses

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Braun-Falco´s Dermatology

  • 455 Accesses

Abstract

Each of the currently known eight herpes viruses can be associated with skin diseases, and depending on the type, certain lesions are typical. All herpes viruses remain in the host (latency) after acute infection, and can show recurrences despite cellular immune response. The possible diseases vary greatly; the type and severity of the disease depends on the age and immune status of the patient, and whether it is a primary or secondary infection. Trigger factors, such as fever, sunlight, trauma, or stress are possible causes of recurrences; the herpes simplex virus is a case in point. Various antivirals are available for treatment, and additional active substances have recently been developed, although these have not been licensed yet.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agut H, Bonnafous P, Gautheret-Dejean A (2015) Laboratory and clinical aspects of human herpesvirus 6 infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 28:313–335

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ahn KH, Park YJ, Hong SC, Lee EH, Lee JS, Oh MJ, Kim HJ (2016) Congenital varicella syndrome: a systematic review. J Obstet Gynaecol 36:563–566

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benedetti JK, Zeh J, Corey L (1999) Clinical reactivation of genital herpes simplex virus infection decreases in frequency over time. Ann Intern Med 131:14–20

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatta AK, Keyal U, Liu Y et al (2018) Vertikale Übertragung des Herpes-simplex-Virus: eine Aktualisierung. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 16:685–693

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bollaerts K, Riera-Montes M, Heininger U et al (2017) A systematic review of varicella seroprevalence in European countries before universal childhood immunization: deriving incidence from seroprevalence data. Epidemiol Infect 145:2666–2677

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown ZA, Selke S, Zeh J et al (1997) The acquisition of herpes simplex virus during pregnancy. N Engl J Med 337:509–515

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Casto AM, Roychoudhury P, Xie H et al (2019) Large, stable, contemporary interspecies recombination events in circulating human herpes simplex viruses. J Infect Dis. epub ahead of print

    Google Scholar 

  • Cernik C, Gallina K, Brodell RT (2008) The treatment of herpes simplex infections: an evidence-based review. Arch Intern Med 168:1137–1144

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM et al (2015) Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips). Cochrane Database Syst Rev:CD010095

    Google Scholar 

  • Corey L, Wald A, Patel R, Sacks SL et al (2004) Once-daily valacyclovir to reduce the risk of transmission of genital herpes. N Engl J Med 350:11–20

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Drago F, Broccolo F, Rebora A (2009) Pityriasis rosea: an update with a critical appraisal of its possible herpesviral etiology. J Am Acad Dermatol 61:303–318

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durukan D, Fairley CK, Bradshaw CS et al (2018) Increasing proportion of herpes simplex virus type 1 among women and men diagnosed with first-episode anogenital herpes: a retrospective observational study over 14 years in Melbourne, Australia. Sex Transm Infect 95:307–313

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ebell MH, Call M, Shinholser J, Gardner J (2016) Does this patient have infectious mononucleosis?: the rational clinical examination systematic review. JAMA 315:1502–1509

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • El Hayderi L, Rübben A, Nikkels AF (2017) Alpha-Herpesviridae in der Dermatologie: Varizella-Zoster-Virus. Hautarzt 68:187–191

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • El Hayderi L, Rübben A, Nikkels AF (2017) Alpha-Herpesviridae in der Dermatologie: Herpes-Simplex-Virus Typ I und II. Hautarzt 68:181–186

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fatahzadeh M, Schwartz RA (2007) Human herpes simplex virus infections: epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management. J Am Acad Dermatol 57:737–763

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes HJ, Williamson E, Benjamin L et al (2018) Association of herpesviruses and stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 13:e0206163

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta R, Warren T, Wald A (2007) Genital herpes. Lancet 370:2127–2137

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heininger U, Seward JF (2006) Varicella. Lancet 368:1365–1376

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hocqueloux L, Guinard J, Buret J et al (2013) Do penicillins really increase the frequency of a rash when given during Epstein-Barr Virus primary infection? Clin Infect Dis 57:1661–1662

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hofstetter AM, Rosenthal SL, Stanberry LR (2014) Current thinking on genital herpes. Curr Opin Infect Dis 27:75–83

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollier LM, Wendel GD (2008) Third trimester antiviral prophylaxis for preventing maternal genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) recurrences and neonatal infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev:CD004946

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurt C, Tammaro D (2007) Diagnostic evaluation of mononucleosis-like illnesses. Am J Med 120:911–918

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hyde TB, Schmid DS, Cannon MJ (2010) Cytomegalovirus seroconversion rates and risk factors: implications for congenital CMV. Rev Med Virol 20:311–326

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Itzhaki RF (2018) Corroboration of a major role for herpes simplex virus type 1 in Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci 10:324

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston C, Corey L (2016) Current concepts for genital herpes simplex virus infection: diagnostics and pathogenesis of genital tract shedding. Clin Microbiol Rev 29:149–161

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy PGE, Gershon AA (2018) Clinical features of varicella-zoster virus infection. Viruses 10. epub ahead of print

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Khadr L, Harfouche M, Omori R et al (2019) The epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 in Asia: systematic review, meta-analyses, and meta-regressions. Clin Infect Dis 68:757–772

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kimberlin DW (2007) Herpes simplex virus infections of the newborn. Semin Perinatol 31:19–25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kimberlin DW, Whitley RJ (2007) Varicella-zoster vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster. N English J Med 356:1338–1343

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lal H, Cunningham AL, Godeaux O et al (2015) Efficacy of an adjuvant herpes zoster subunit vaccine in older adults. N Engl J Med 372:2087–2096

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Langenberg AG, Corey L, Ashley RL et al (1999) A prospective study of new infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. Chiron HSV Vaccine Study Group. N Eng J Med 341:1432–1438

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lautenschlager S, Eichmann A (2001) The heterogeneous clinical spectrum of genital herpes. Dermatology 202:211–219

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lautenschlager S, Eichmann A (2002) Urethritis: an underestimated clinical variant of genital herpes in men? J Am Acad Dermatol 46:307–308

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lebrun-Vignes B, Bouzamondo A, Dupuy A et al (2007) A meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of oral antiviral treatment to prevent genital herpes outbreaks. J Am Acad Dermatol 57:238–246

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Looker KJ, Magaret AS, May MT et al (2015) Global and regional estimates of prevalent and incident herpes simplex virus type 1 infections in 2012. PLoS One 10:e0140765

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Looker KJ, Elmes JAR, Gottlieb SL et al (2017) Effect of HSV-2 infection on subsequent HIV acquisition: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis 17:1303–1316

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Martin ET, Krantz E, Gottlieb SL et al (2009) A pooled analysis of the effect of condoms in preventing HSV-2 acquisition. Arch Intern Med 169:1233–1240

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Muller WJ, Zheng X (2019) Laboratory diagnosis of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections. J Clin Microbiol 57. epub ahead of print

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxman MN, Levin MJ, Johnson GR, Schmader KE et al (2005) A vaccine to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults. N Engl J Med 352:2271–2284

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patel R, Stanberry L, Whitley RJ (2007) Review of recent HSV recurrent-infection treatment studies. Herpes 14:23–26

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson AR, Nash E, Anderson BJ (2019) Infectious disease in contact sports. Sports Health 11:47–58

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sadaoka T, Mori Y (2018) Vaccine development for varicella-zoster virus. Adv Exp Med Biol 1045:123–142

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sampath A, Maduro G, Schillinger JA (2016) Infant deaths due to herpes simplex virus, congenital syphilis, and HIV in New York City. Pediatrics 137(4). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-2387

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sangueza-Acosta M, Sandoval-Romero E (2018) Epstein-Barr virus and skin. An Bras Dermatol 93:786–799

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz RA, Micali G, Nasca MR, Scuderi L (2008) Kaposi sarcoma: a continuing conundrum. J Am Acad Dermatol 59:179–206

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shiraki K (2018) Antiviral drugs against alphaherpesvirus. Adv Exp Med Biol 1045:103–122

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Soriano V, Romero JD (2018) Rebound in sexually transmitted infections following the success of antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS. AIDS Rev 20:187–204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spruance S, Aoki FY, Tyring S et al (2007) Short-course therapy for recurrent genital herpes and herpes labialis. J Fam Pract 56:30–36

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weinberg JM (2007) Herpes zoster: epidemiology, natural history, and common complications. J Am Acad Dermatol 57:S130–S135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Werner RN, Nikkels AF, Marinovic B et al (2017) European consensus-based (S2k) Guideline on the Management of Herpes Zoster – guided by the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) in cooperation with the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), Part 1: diagnosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 31:9–19

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wollenberg A, Zoch C, Wetzel S et al (2003) Predisposing factors and clinical features of eczema herpeticum: a retrospective analysis of 100 cases. J Am Acad Dermatol 49:198–205

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolz MM, Sciallis GF, Pittelkow MR (2012) Human herpesviruses 6, 7, and 8 from a dermatologic perspective. Mayo Clin Proc 87:1004–1014

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wu PH, Chuang YS, Lin YT (2019) Does herpes zoster increase the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction? A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Med 8. epub ahead of print

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

First Describer

  • Fessler A, Feyrter F (1926) Untersuchungen über das Aphthoid-Pospischill. Z Kinderheilk 41:489–498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heubner O (1911) Lehrbuch der Kinderheilkunde. Barth, Leipzig, p 445

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt JR (1907) On herpetic inflammations of the geniculate ganglion. A new syndrome and its complications. J Nerv Ment Dis 34:73–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Juliusberg F (1898) Pustulosis acuta varioliformis. Arch Dermatol Syph 49:21–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaposi M (1887) Pathologie und Therapie der Hautkrankheiten. Urban & Schwarzenberg, Wien, p 483

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipschütz BC (1918) Über Ulcus vulvae acutum. Wien Klin Wochenschr 31:461–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeiffer E (1889) Drüsenfieber. Jahrb Kinderheilkd Physische Erzieh 29:257–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Pospischill D (1921) Über Klinik und Epidemiologie der Pertussis. Karger, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Reye RDK, Morgan G, Baral J (1963) Encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera: a disease entity in childhood. Lancet 2:749–752

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tzanck A (1947) Le cyto-diagnostic immediate en dermatologie. Ann Dermatol Venereol 7:68–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf R, Brenner S, Ruocco V et al (1995) Isotopic response. Int J Dermatol 34:341–348

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatologisches Ambulatorium, Stadtspital Waid und Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland

    Stephan Lautenschlager

Authors
  1. Stephan Lautenschlager
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephan Lautenschlager .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Gerd Plewig

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Lars French

  3. Department of Dermatology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Thomas Ruzicka

  4. Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany

    Roland Kaufmann

  5. Clinic for Dermatology and Allergology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    Michael Hertl

Section Editor information

  1. Clinic for Dermatology and Allergology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    Michael Hertl

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Lautenschlager, S. (2020). Human Herpes Viruses. In: Plewig, G., French, L., Ruzicka, T., Kaufmann, R., Hertl, M. (eds) Braun-Falco´s Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-58713-3_9-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-58713-3_9-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-58713-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-58713-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation