Management of herpesvirus infections in the healthy host

Human herpesvirus infections continue to be a concern in immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised hosts. They are often life threatening in the immunocompromised patient. In the healthy immunocompetent person the infections tend to be self-limited, although they can directly or indirectly cause periods of severe discomfort and disability, and their treatment can affect productivity, as shown by cost-outcome models. Treatment of primary or secondary episodes in the immunocompetent host is therefore directed toward more rapid resolution of initial and recurrent episodes, thereby limiting the impact of the infections.