Herpesviridae (HHV)

Herpesviruses are a large family of double-stranded DNA viruses (family: Herpesviridae) that infect a wide range of animal species, including humans. They are highly adapted pathogens capable of establishing lifelong latent infections with periodic reactivation. Eight herpesviruses commonly infect humans: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6A/B, HHV-7, and KSHV/HHV-8. Each is associated with distinct clinical syndromes. After primary infection, often asymptomatic, herpesviruses enter sensory nerves and migrate to sensory ganglia within the central nervous system, where they establish latency as episomal DNA with minimal gene expression. Reactivation can occur due to physical or psychological stressors, leading the virus back along nerves to cause recurrent disease at peripheral sites.

Other names

Herpes virusHuman herpesvirusHSVVZVEBVCMVKSHV

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase