Herpes Viruses
Introduction
Herpes viruses are DNA viruses
Different Herpes viruses
Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2
herpes zoster
cytomegalovirus
human papilloma virus
epstein-barr virus
Transmission and Infection
Herpes viruses initially infect epithelial cells, but lives in host cells such as neurons or B cells. Upon activation by stimuli such as stress, trauma, fever, or UV light, viruses are released from their reservoirs and can re-infect epithelial and other cells, resulting in clincial symptoms.
Latent Infections
Herpes virus infections may remain for life due to the integration of their DNA genome into that of the host.
Neurons provide a good reservoir for herpes viruses due to their low turnover rates.