Human Herpetic Infections
This review describes a group of herpes infections caused by 8 different human herpes viruses. Herpes viruses are widespread in the human population and are ubiquitous, causing a wide range of clinical manifestations: from asymptomatic infection to rare severe forms and malignancies. The majority of herpetic infections occurs in a mild or subclinical form and does not require special treatment. Herpes viruses are of particular relevance in patients with a compromised immune system. Rare severe forms of herpes infection are more often associated with immunological orgeographic prerequisites. At the same time, the ubiquitous distribution and lifelong persistence of herpes viruses cause a lot of speculation based on the possibility of detecting these viruses using laboratory methods and attributing to them the etiology of many pathological conditions, the connection with which has not been proven. Together with the absence of indications for specific antiviral therapy in the majority of clinical situations, the results of laboratory tests in immunocompetent patient have a low feasibility. Specific therapy takes place only in some types of herpes infections and should be used strictly according to indications. The research for herpes viruses is most relevant in the context of congenital infections and in immunocompromised patients. The strictness of preventive measures against herpesvirus infections is limited to certain categories of people and clinical situations such as prevention of congenital and perinatal infections caused by herpes simplex viruses, CMV, and chickenpox. Vaccination prevention is only available against VZV infection.