Herpesvirus infections
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Follow the links below to find trusted information about herpesvirus infections.
Last reviewed: May 2018
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Cold sores (Herpes virus lip sores) information video | myVMC
Cold sores are blisters on the lips causes by the Herpes virus. They are annoying but not harmful, and can be treated.
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV virus, CMV infection) information | myVMC
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection usually produces no symptoms, but it can be serious in immunocompromised people and cause glandular fever-like symptoms.
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Category: Infections and Parasites Topic: Viral Infections Send by email View as PDF Send by post Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common virus which infects people of all ages
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CMV - Lab Tests Online AU
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing is used to determine whether someone withandhas an active infection
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
What is cytomegalovirus (CMV)? Cytomegalovirus or CMV means "big cell virus" because cells grow big when infected
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Genital herpes (HSV infection) information video | myVMC
Genital herpes is a symptom of Herpes virus (HSV2) infection, whereas cold sores are caused by HSV1. It is a common sexually transmitted infection or STD.
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Herpes simplex virus (cold sores) infection information | myVMC
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes sores on the mouth (cold sores). Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is an STI and causes genital ulcers.
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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV; glandular fever) information | myVMC
Epstein-Barr virus infection causes glandular fever. It is transmitted through saliva and causes fever, sore throat and swollen glands.
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Herpes: your questions answered - myDr.com.au
Your questions about herpes answered, including how do you know if you have genital herpes, how is herpes diagnosed, and do I have to tell my partner if I have herpes?
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Cold sore infections - myDr.com.au
Find the answers to common questions about cold sores, irritating blisters which are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus and can be triggered by stress, fatigue or exposure to sunlight.
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Prevention of transmission of cytomegalovirus from mother to fetus during pregnancy | Cochrane
There is insufficient evidence from randomised controlled trials to recommend use of any particular intervention to prevent the transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV) from mother to fetus during pregnancy (congenital CMV infection). CMV is a herpesvirus and is the most common cause of congenital infection in developed countries. Some 40% of women who acquire the infection during pregnancy transmit the virus to their fetus. The fetus can have serious health problems as a result of this infection, including growth restriction and the risk of late miscarriage. While 90% of infants with congenital CMV infection display no manifestations at birth, the remaining 10% do have signs and are at risk of life-long neurological consequences, including cognitive and motor deficits, hearing and visual impairments. Maternal education and behavioural modification are used to limit women acquiring CMV in pregnancy (for example by improved hand hygiene). Drug interventions include antiviral treatment, immunoglobulin therapy (for example CMV hyperimmune globulin) and the possibility of anti-CMV vaccination. There is currently no licensed vaccine against CMV. Antiviral therapy, such as ganciclovir, can be given to the newborn infant to prevent or reduce any consequences of congenital infection. Interventions differ in their efficacy, risks to the baby, possible side effects (such as nephrotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, and emergence of resistant CMV strains) and acceptability of use.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Interventions for the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex virus in patients being treated for cancer | Cochrane
Interventions for the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex virus in patients being treated for cancer
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Measures for preventing cold sores | Cochrane
A cold sore is an irritating recurrent viral infection with no proven cure. It gives rise to painful vesicles on the lips that form unsightly crusts, causing an unpleasant look and mental distress. We aimed to examine the effects of available measures for preventing recurrence of cold sores in people with normal immunity.
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Varicella and influenza vaccines may reduce morbidity in patients with blood cancers | Cochrane
Viral infections cause significant disease and even death in patients with blood cancers. In the current systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of viral vaccines in these patients. The pre-defined primary outcome was incidence of the infection concerned. Secondary outcomes were mortality due to the viral infection, all-cause mortality, incidence of complications, incidence of severe viral infection, hospitalization rate, in vitro immune response and frequency of adverse effects. Eight RCTs were included. They evaluated heat-inactivated varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccine (two trials), influenza vaccines (five trials) and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (one trial). There were no RCTs on other viral vaccines (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella). Only the two trials on VZV vaccine reported our pre-defined primary outcome. All trials reported some of the pre-defined secondary outcomes. We found that inactivated VZV vaccine might reduce the severity of herpes zoster when given before and after stem cell transplant in adults with lymphoma or leukemia. Inactivated influenza vaccine might reduce upper and lower respiratory infections and hospitalization in adults with multiple myeloma who are undergoing chemotherapy, or children with leukemia or lymphoma within two years post-chemotherapy. However, the quality of evidence is not high. Local adverse effects occur frequently with the vaccines, although serious adverse effects appear uncommon. Further high-quality RCTs are needed to clarify the benefits and optimal regimens of viral vaccines for patients with blood cancers.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine to prevent varicella (chickenpox) | Cochrane
This review assessed how useful the varicella (also known as chickenpox) vaccine is in preventing chickenpox when given to children or adults who have never been immunised or previously had chickenpox, but who receive the vaccine within a short time following exposure to a person infectious with chickenpox. Varicella is a highly contagious viral infection characterised by a widespread pustular rash, fever and generally feeling unwell. We identified three trials involving 110 healthy children who were siblings of household contacts.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
(Oral antiviral treatment to prevent genital herpes outbreaks in immunocompetent and nonpregnant patients) | Cochrane
(Oral antiviral treatment to prevent genital herpes outbreaks in immunocompetent and nonpregnant patients)
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Steroids for short-term symptom control in infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Vaccines for preventing herpes zoster in older adults | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Acyclovir can reduce the number of days with fever in otherwise healthy children with chickenpox, but its effect on sores and itching is not yet certain | Cochrane
Acyclovir can reduce the number of days with fever in otherwise healthy children with chickenpox, but its effect on sores and itching is not yet certain
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Cyclophosphamide for treating rheumatoid arthritis | Cochrane
This review included 31 patients taking cyclophosphamide and 39 patients taking placebo. Patients taking cyclophosphamide had improved tender and swollen joint scores. Patients receiving placebo were six times more likely to discontinue treatment because of lack of treatment effect than patients receiving cyclophosphamide. Withdrawals from adverse reactions were higher in the cyclophosphamide group. Side effects from cyclophosphamide included hemorrhagic cystitis, nausea, vomiting, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, alopecia, amenorrhea and herpes zoster infections.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
