The Human Herpes Virus (HHV) and its Eight Types
Herpes is mostly a sexually transmitted disease (STD). HHV is the acronym for the Human Herpes Viruses which as the name suggests are viruses responsible for producing herpes in humans. These viruses (HHV) are of eight types. HHV are causative agents for cold sores, blindness, cancers, and life-threatening conditions in immuno-suppressed individuals.
The Eight Types of Human Herpes Viruses (HHV) are:
- HHV 1 – Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1)
- HHV 2 – Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV 2)
- HHV 3 -Herpes Zoster Virus (VZV)
- HHV 4 – Ebstein Barr Virus (EBV)
- HHV 5 – Cytomegolovirus (CMV)
- HHV 6 – Human B-cell Lymphotrophic
- HHV 7 – Causes Symptoms Similar to the HHV-6
- HHV 8 – It is a Type of Rhadinovirus
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Herpes simplex virus infections occur worldwide and can only be transmitted between humans. There are two types of HSV namely Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Although HSV-1 and HSV-2 are usually transmitted by different routes and involve different areas of the body, there is an overlap in their distribution, characteristics, and clinical manifestations. For example, 5%-15% of oral infections are caused by HSV-2, whereas 5%-15% of genital infections are caused by HSV-1.
Know more about What is Herpes Simplex Virus?
HHV 1 – Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1)
This virus is known to cause herpes labialis or cold sores involving the lips, and gingivostomatitis or the inflammation of the gums and oral cavity. Oropharyngeal, cutaneous, and ocular lesions in the form of keratoconjunctivitis are also produced by the HSV-1.
HHV 2 – Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV 2)
An infection of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) can lead to genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease that causes blisters and pain in the genital area. Herpes simplex virus type 2 can be passed in the urine or genital discharge of an infected person. HSV-2 remains dormant in the sacral ganglia. The viruses become reactivated secondary to certain stimuli, including fever, physical or emotional stress, ultraviolet light exposure, and axonal injury.
HHV 3 – Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus)
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a disease caused by a single virus of the herpes family known as the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox and then remains dormant within the nerve roots (nerve tissue) of individuals who had suffered from chickenpox. As the individual grows older, it is possible for the virus to manifest itself again in the form of shingles. VZV is still referred to by separate terms Varicella (the primary infection that causes chickenpox) and Herpes zoster (the reactivation of the virus that causes shingles). The human race is the only reservoir for VZV.
HHV 4 – Ebstein Barr Virus (EBV)
The Epstein-Barr viral syndrome is also known as infectious mononucleosis, Mono, and Kissing disease. Mononucleosis is a viral infection causing fever, a sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck. It is typically caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but can also be caused by other organisms such as cytomegalovirus (CMV). When infected by the EBV during adolescence or young adulthood, infectious mononucleosis is caused in 35% to 50% of the cases.
HHV 5 – Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
The Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes virus found in the body fluids including urine, saliva (spit), breast milk, blood, tears, semen, and vaginal fluids. This virus may cause retinitis, pneumonia, colitis, and/or encephalitis in immunocompromised people and belongs to the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of Herpesviridae. It is the most common virus amongst those that are transmitted vertically, i.e. from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. The name means “very big cell virus.” It is as common a cause of serious disability as are Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and neural tube defects. It can also cause mononucleosis, pneumonia, hepatitis, encephalitis, colitis, uveitis, retinitis, neuropathy, CMV syndrome, and pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO). It is also opportunistic in cases of patients who are HIV positive and are immunocompromised.
HHV 6 – Lymphotrophic Virus or Roseolovirus
HHV 6 has been considered for several years as a possible cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Patients can have extremely high levels of antibodies to HHV-6. HHV-6 infection is a major cause of opportunistic viral infections in patients with compromised immune systems, especially due to AIDS or organ transplants. HHV-6 may cause rejection of transplanted organs and death. There are two different types of HHV-6, the first being isolated from infants, seems to cause only a mild childhood illness, with fever and rash, called roseola infantum or exanthema subitum that resolves spontaneously. It replicates in the salivary glands and is shed in saliva, the recognized route of transmission for variant β strains. It remains in lymphocytes and monocytes and persists at low levels within the cells and tissues. However, the second type of HHV-6 is found in very sick adults who have AIDS, cancer, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or other immune system abnormalities.
HHV 7(Causes Symptoms Similar to HHV-6)
HHV-7 is closely related to both HHV-6 and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Of the 3 viruses, HHV-7 is the least pathogenic. Like its cousin HHV-6, HHV-7 primarily causes roseola infantum in infants and young children, which is an undifferentiated febrile illness that typically lasts for 6 days.
HHV 8 A Type of Rhadinovirus
HHV-8 is a type of rhadinovirus. It is also known as Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpes virus (KSHV) and is responsible for causing diseases such as Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), lymphoproliferative disorders, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD). This virus only attacks immunocompromised individuals. The association of Kaposi’s sarcoma with HHV-8 was identified through DNA sequencing by Chang and his colleagues. The virus has subsequently been identified in all types of KS, including classic, endemic, post-transplant and AIDS-related KS, all of which have identical histological features. Recent laboratory results suggest the possibility of HHV-8 infection by mouth-to-mouth contact (kissing). Previous studies on Kaposi’s sarcoma have indicated that HHV-8 was more commonly found in saliva than in genital secretions.
Herpes Treatment– A beautiful melange of time-tested resonance homeopathic medicines and homotoxological remedies so as to stimulate the immune system to heal itself following nature’s laws.