An update on the herpesviruses

An increasingly significant cause of disease in the immunodeficient patient, herpesviruses continue to be a concern in dentistry. Today's dentist must be aware of infections caused by CMV and EBV as well as HSV and VZV. Human herpesviruses 6 and 7 are not yet associated with a particular oral disease, but 80 percent to 90 percent of patients can be expected to shed these viruses in their saliva. Most recently, a new herpesvirus, HHV-8, was postulated associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. An update of information related to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of herpesvirus infections is presented.