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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Genital herpes transmission - myDr.com.au
Genital herpes is transmitted (spread) by direct skin-to-skin contact, especially during intimate sexual contact, with a person who is infected with the herpes simplex virus.
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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.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
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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Herpes simplex mouth infection in children | Raising Children Network
A child with a herpes simplex mouth infection might have a sore mouth, mouth ulcers and trouble eating and drinking. Its a good idea to see a GP.
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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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Cold sore infections - myDr.com.au
Find the answers to commonquestions about cold sores, irritating blisters whichare caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus and can be triggered by stress, fatigue or exposure tosun
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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.
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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.
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(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)
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Steroids for short-term symptom control in infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) | Cochrane
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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.
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Corticosteroids used in addition to antiviral drugs in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome | Cochrane
Ramsay Hunt syndrome (also known as herpes zoster oticus) consists of weakness of the face due to infection with the varicella zoster virus. Five cases arise per 100,000 of the population per year in the US. It is more common among those over 60 and rare in children. Other symptoms may include severe ear pain and small blisters on the outer ear or in the mouth. Prompt diagnosis and treatment (ideally within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms) are crucial to secure the best outcomes. In cases where treatment has been started within this time period, facial weakness recovers in up to 75% of patients. Standard treatment is with antiviral therapy (most commonly acyclovir). Corticosteroids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and are commonly used together with antivirals to reduce the inflammation in the facial nerve. This is thought to be the cause of the facial weakness. The aim of the review was to see if corticosteroids, used at the same time as antiviral drugs, improved outcomes in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. However the review found no trials matching the inclusion criteria, and no conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of using corticosteroids in this way. It is recommended that high-quality randomised controlled trials be undertaken to address this issue.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
