An Overview of Herpes Virus: Clinical Features, Risk Factors and Global Health Implications

Abstract

Herpesviruses represent a pervasive and clinically significant group of DNA viruses capable of establishing lifelong infections in humans. Among more than 100 known herpes viruses, only 8 of them infect humans. Among them, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are the most prevalent, contributing to a broad spectrum of diseases ranging from orolabial and genital lesions to severe neurological complications. Lethargy, malaise, and cervical or submandibular lymphadenopathy are associated symptoms. Worldwide, there are an estimated 4.85 billion people of all ages with prevalent HSV-1 infection. Moreover, there are an estimated 836 million people aged 15 years and above with prevalent HSV-2 infection, with prevalence again highest in the WHO Africa region. Despite decades of research, herpesviruses continue to pose major public health challenges due to their capacity for latency, reactivation, and evasion of host immune responses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, virology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and current therapeutic strategies for managing herpesvirus infections. Emerging antiviral agents, vaccine development efforts, and novel therapeutic approaches, including gene editing and immunotherapies, are also discussed. Understanding these complex viral pathogens is essential for developing more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Future advancements in HSV's life cycle, protein interactions, and immune evasion mechanisms will pave the way for effective HSV vaccines to prevent or mitigate infections.