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Symptoms of Herpes Virus Conditions

There are eight herpes viruses that can lead to disease in humans (HHV-1 through HHV-8). These viruses lead to a wide variety of symptoms; some herpes viruses lead to disease primarily in people with weakened immune systems.

  1. Herpes Simplex Viruses

    • Herpes simplex viruses (HHV-1 and 2, also known as HSV-1 and 2) lead to cold sores and genital herpes. Both conditions cause red rash with blisters along with a burning or itching feeling in the area before an outbreak.

    VZV

    • VZV (varicella-zoster virus, HHV-3) is the virus that causes chickenpox, a condition characterized by itchy red rash and blisters. A recurrence of VZV leads to shingles, which causes potentially severe pain along with red rash and blisters along the path of the nerve in which the virus is active.

    Epstein-Barr

    • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, HHV-4) causes infectious mononucleosis when contracted by young adults. Symptoms include weakness and fatigue, sore throat and headache, fever and swollen lymph glands, tonsils and spleen.

    Cytomegalovirus

    • Cytomegalovirus (CMV or HHV-5) causes birth defects when transmitted from mother to child. It may also lead to retinitis, a condition that can cause blindness in people with AIDS.

    Roseola

    • HHV-6 and HHV-7 lead to roseola, a common childhood illness. Symptoms include a sudden and high fever followed by a pink rash that starts on the trunk of the body and may spread, along with fatigue, irritability, diarrhea and swollen eyelids .

    Kaposi's Sarcoma

    • HHV-8 is a common viral infection that does not cause disease in people with healthy immune systems. In people with AIDS, it can lead to Kaposi's sarcoma, a skin cancer marked by purple lesions.

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