Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are common causes of acute respiratory illness in infants and children and are important causes of lower respiratory tract disease in young children and immunocompromised persons. These viruses cause a spectrum of upper and lower respiratory…
Influenza viral infections cause a broad array of respiratory illnesses that are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in children during seasonal epidemics . Influenza A viruses also have the potential to cause global pandemics , which can happen when…
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is an oncogenic virus identified in tissue specimens from patients with Kaposi sarcoma (KS). Because of this association, it is also known as Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus . HHV-8 is the etiologic agent of two additional lymphoproliferative…
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6A and HHV-6B) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) cause ubiquitous infection in infancy and early childhood. HHV-6B is responsible for the majority of cases of roseola infantum ( exanthem subitum or sixth disease ) and is associated…
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is ubiquitous in the population, and individuals who become infected remain persistently infected for life, with intermittent shedding of infectious virus from mucosal surfaces. Although CMV rarely causes symptoms in normal individuals, it is an important cause…
Infectious mononucleosis is the best-known clinical syndrome caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is characterized by systemic somatic complaints consisting primarily of fatigue, malaise, fever, sore throat, and generalized lymphadenopathy. Originally described as glandular fever, it derives its name from…
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes primary, latent, and reactivation infections. The primary infection is manifested as varicella (chickenpox) and results in establishment of a lifelong latent infection of sensory ganglionic neurons. Reactivation of the latent infection causes herpes zoster (shingles). Although…
The 2 closely related herpes simplex viruses (HSVs), HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2), cause a variety of illnesses, depending on the anatomic site where the infection is initiated, the immune state of the host, and whether…
The parvoviruses are small, single-stranded DNA viruses. They are common infectious agents of a variety of animal species, including mammals, birds, and insects. Parvoviruses as a group include a number of important animal pathogens. There are 5 different types of…
The genus Enterovirus contains a large number of viruses spread via the gastrointestinal and respiratory routes that produce a broad range of illnesses in patients of all ages. Many of the manifestations predominantly affect infants and young children. Etiology Enteroviruses…