Describe how latency contributes to the infection process of the Varicella-Zoster and Herpes simplex-1 viruses

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The Varicella-Zoster virus causes chickenpox. After a 14-16 day incubation, the initial illness manifests as an itchy vesicular rash which may be widespread over the entire body. Fever may accompany the illness. After about a week, the vesicles scab over and slowly heal. At this point the virus enters latency in various peripheral nerves. The virus may re-emerge as a more limited outbreak of vesicles called shingles. Shingles lesions tend to be localized on the torso or face, and are often painful. Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1 ) is responsible for a vesicular rash known as "cold sores" or "fever blisters", usually around the lips. After the initial illness, HSV-1 becomes latent in either the trigeminal nerve, or less commonly, the optic nerve. Re-activation of the virus may be caused by ultraviolet radiation, menstruation or other hormonal changes, or stressful conditions. HSV-1 may also manifest on other parts of the body such as herpes gladitorum or herpes whitlow.