What is Kaposis sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)?
KSHV is a virus belonging to the family of herpesviruses, which has seven other members that infect humans. Herpesviruses are a group of similar viruses, most of which are extremely common infections that you have probably been exposed to. Some herpesviruses cause diseases while infection with others generally do not cause symptoms. The lay term “herpes” usually refers to herpesvirus type 1, which causes cold sores on the lips (more than 90% of people are infected with herpesvirus type 1), or herpesvirus type 2, which is a sexually transmitted disease that causes “cold sores” on the genitals (about 25% of US adults are infected with herpes type 2). Since both herpes type 2 and KSHV are sexually transmitted (at least in developed countries), they primarily infect adults. KSHV was discovered in 1994 and so our understanding of it is just beginning. The virus has two names that are commonly used: KSHV which is its descriptive name and HHV8 which is its formal name. Both names are essentia
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