What does HHV-6A cause?

Roseola, also called exanthem subitum and sixth disease, is a common, contagious viral infection caused by the human herpesvirus (HHV) 6. This strain of the herpes virus is different than the one that causes cold sores or genital herpes infections. Roseola occurs most often in children aged 6 to 24 months.

Is HHV-6 an STD?

It is known that children do acquire HHV-6A from family members in Africa. One potential route of transmission could be through the nose. Several studies have suggested that HHV-6A could also be transmitted sexually (Chang 1994, Leach 1994).

What are the symptoms of HHV-6?

HHV-6 B

• Sudden high fever (above 103 F) lasting three to five days.
• Mild sore throat.
• Runny nose.
• Cough.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
• Irritability.
• Mild diarrhea.
• Decreased appetite.

How do you treat HHV-6 virus?

In immunosuppressed hosts with HHV-6 encephalitis, antiviral therapy is recommended. Foscarnet, ganciclovir, and cidofovir are the three antivirals that have in vitro activity against HHV-6. Brincidofovir may offer an additional mode of therapy with less toxicity in the future, but this has not been studied.

Does everyone have HHV-6?

Although nearly everyone is infected with HHV-6 in childhood, only a small percentage experience reactivation of HHV-6 later in life. Moreover, many of these reactivation events never cause symptoms.

How common is HHV-6?

HHV-6B infects nearly 100% of human beings, typically before the age of three and often results in fever, diarrhea, sometimes with a rash known as roseola. Although rare, this initial infection HHV-6B infection can also cause febrile seizures, encephalitis or intractable seizures.

What disease is caused by HHV-6?

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a herpesvirus that causes roseola infantum (or exanthema subitum [sixth disease]) in infants and children. Infection is nearly ubiquitous by age 2 years. Management of HHV-6 infection in immunocompetent hosts is supportive.

How common is HHV-6A?

Little is known about the prevalence of HHV-6A or how it is acquired, but one small study found very low levels of HHV-6A in the saliva of half of healthy adults. Like the other herpesviruses—Epstein Barr virus, chicken pox, herpes simplex—HHV-6 establishes life-long latency and can become reactivated later in life.

Is HHV and HPV the same?

Members of the human herpesvirus (HHV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) families cause the most common primary viral infections of the oral cavity. HPV infections have received particular attention in recent years, as high-risk strains have been linked to some cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

How is HHV-6 diagnosed?

The diagnosis of HHV-6 infection is performed by both serologic and direct methods. The most prominent technique is the quantification of viral DNA in blood, other body fluids, and organs by means of real-time PCR.