Skin manifestations of herpesvirus infections

Currently there are eight human herpesviruses identified that cause disease in both adults and children. Although the manifestations of disease differ with each herpesvirus, cutaneous presentations are common among almost all of them. These skin manifestations may be visually similar among several of these viruses, occasionally making it challenging to diagnose the patient's illness. Laboratory diagnostic testing is commercially available for most of these viruses. Because many herpesvirus infections are self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts, patients require only supportive care. Effective antiviral therapy is available for the more severe cases of infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), or cytomegalovirus (CMV). Healthcare practitioners should become familiar with the different cutaneous manifestations these viruses may exhibit.