Human Herpesvirus 7

Definition

Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) is a member of the Herpesviridae family, which is a group of DNA viruses that can cause a variety of skin and eye infections in humans. HHV-7 is primarily associated with roseola, a common childhood illness characterized by a distinctive rash.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. HHV-7 is primarily transmitted through saliva and can be acquired during childhood, often through contact with infected individuals.
2. Infection with HHV-7 is very common, with seroprevalence rates reaching up to 90% in adults in some populations.
3. The majority of HHV-7 infections are asymptomatic, but the virus can reactivate and cause roseola, a characteristic skin rash accompanied by high fever.
4. HHV-7 has been associated with other clinical manifestations, such as encephalitis, febrile seizures, and in rare cases, chronic fatigue syndrome.
5. Like other herpesviruses, HHV-7 can establish latency in the body, allowing it to remain dormant and reactivate at a later time, leading to recurrent infections.

Review Questions

• Describe the primary mode of transmission for human herpesvirus 7 and its typical clinical presentation in infected individuals.
  • Human herpesvirus 7 is primarily transmitted through saliva, often during childhood through contact with infected individuals. The majority of HHV-7 infections are asymptomatic, but the virus can reactivate and cause roseola, a distinctive skin rash accompanied by high fever. Roseola is a common childhood illness associated with HHV-7 infection.
• Explain the concept of latency and its significance in the context of human herpesvirus 7 infections.
  • Like other herpesviruses, HHV-7 has the ability to establish latency in the body, allowing the virus to remain dormant for extended periods of time. This latency is a key characteristic of herpesviruses, as it enables the virus to reactivate at a later time, leading to recurrent infections. The capacity for latency is an important factor in the persistence and potential clinical manifestations associated with HHV-7 infections.
• Discuss the potential clinical implications and associations of human herpesvirus 7 infections beyond the typical presentation of roseola.
  • While the primary clinical manifestation of HHV-7 infection is roseola, the virus has been associated with other, less common clinical conditions. In rare cases, HHV-7 has been linked to encephalitis, febrile seizures, and chronic fatigue syndrome. These associations highlight the potential for HHV-7 to contribute to a broader range of health issues, beyond the characteristic roseola illness. Understanding these potential clinical implications is important for recognizing and managing the diverse manifestations of HHV-7 infections.

Related terms

Herpesviridae: The Herpesviridae family is a group of DNA viruses that can cause a range of infections, including skin and eye diseases, in humans and other animals.

Roseola:

Roseola is a common childhood illness caused by human herpesvirus 6 or 7, characterized by a distinctive red rash that appears after a high fever.

Latency:

Latency is the ability of herpesviruses, including HHV-7, to remain dormant in the body for extended periods of time before reactivating and causing recurrent infections.