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PREVENTION

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Herpes Simplex I & II

Herpes simplex I is almost inevitable (70-95% seropositive reported world wide). Spread by casual contact can be prevented by avoiding skin contact with active lesions.
Herpes simplex II can be prevented by the use of condoms whether lesions are present or not. Health care professionals should practice universal safety guidelines by using gloves. Individuals with active infection should be isolated away from immunocompromised individuals.

Pregnant women pose an interesting dilema; whether to have natural birth or cesarean section to prevent neonatal herpes via vertical transmission. A cesarean section would prevent transmission but the procedure is very risky for the mother and child. Several countries advocated for examination of mothers the final 4-6 weeks of gestation but this procedure was a poor indicator of actual transmission. The current procedure involves examining the cervix and vulva for genital lesions and specimens tested for HSV. If lesions and/or HSV specimens are positive, a cesarean section is performed.

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Varicella Zoster Virus

Since infection provides lifelong immunity, no preventive measures are recommended for Varicella infection in children. In neonates, the immuno compromised and adults (nonimmune pregnant women), infection could potentially be fatal. Consequently, Varicella-Zoster immune globulin (ZIG) should be administered three days post infection.

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Cytomegalovirus

Donors and recepients of blood or organ transplants should be tested for the presence of antibodies. Antibodies found in recepients indicate previous infection whereas antibodies in donors indicate potential CMV infection. Blood should be tested when transfusing to premature infants, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Treatment of severe CMV infection should be with ganciclovir. This medication can also be used as a prophylactic but may have toxic effects if used for more than three months. Forscarnet may be used as a second-line drug once the body has build resistance to ganciclovir.

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Epstein-Barr virus

Chemotherapy has been proven ineffective in control. Please see vaccine section.

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Human Herpes Virus 6

By the age of 2 or 3 all children have become infected. Consequently, similar to CMV, ganciclovir or forscarnet may be used for treatment.

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Human Herpes Virus 7

Unknown.

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Human Herpes Virus 8

Unknown.