Herpes viridae disease

Herpesviridae is a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein ("to creep"), referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses. Herpesviridae can cause latent or lytic infections.

Structure

At the core of the virus is a DNA molecule that contains the virus's genes. The DNA is surrounded by a capsid, which is made up of small protein subunits called capsomeres. This capsid is surrounded by a tegument. This tegument is surrounded by a lipid envelope that is embedded with glycoproteins.

Classification

The Herpesviridae family is classified into three subfamilies - Alphaherpesvirinae, Betaherpesvirinae, and Gammaherpesvirinae. Each of these subfamilies includes a number of different species that can infect humans.

Diseases

Herpesviridae can cause several types of diseases in humans, including:

• Herpes simplex: This is caused by Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is primarily associated with oral and facial infections, while HSV-2 is more often associated with genital and anal infections.
• Varicella zoster: This is caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes chickenpox in children and shingles in adults.
• Cytomegalovirus: This is caused by the Cytomegalovirus (CMV). It can cause mononucleosis and it can be a serious problem for people with weak immune systems.
• Epstein-Barr virus: This is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It can cause mononucleosis and is associated with several types of cancer, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
• Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus: This is caused by the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). It is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer that often affects people with AIDS.

Treatment

There is no cure for herpesviridae infections. However, antiviral medications can help control the symptoms of herpesviridae infections and reduce the risk of transmission.

See also

• Virus classification
• Viral disease
• Antiviral drug