Skip to main content.

5 Viruses That Can Cause Complications Later

Posted May 08, 2023 by Nikole M. Scalera, M.D.

Doctors looking at viruses

Viruses are a natural part of our daily lives. Fortunately, most viral infections clear after a few days to weeks when the body’s immune system launches an attack against them. However, some viruses, known as latent viruses, can remain in the body silently after the initial infection for prolonged periods without causing any symptoms and reactivate later on.

Latency is a survival strategy some viruses use to stay alive and spread. Latent viruses remain in the body and enter a latent phase, where the virus is inactive and does not actively replicate. Then, later on — many years, in some cases — the virus can come out of hiding and undergo a reactivation phase, where it begins to replicate and infect cells causing a repeat infection.

The reactivation phase can be triggered by internal or external factors, such as other viral infections, trauma, stress or a weakened immune system. The secondary infection can range from mild with minimal symptoms to lifelong problems.

Summa Health sheds light on 5 latent viruses and their common triggers for reactivation. Leading a healthy lifestyle and getting a vaccine, when applicable, is your best defense in avoiding pain later on.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

The herpes simplex virus family, including type 1 that can cause oral herpes (fever blisters and cold sores) and type 2 that can cause genital herpes, are latent viruses. During a herpes infection, a person’s skin can become painful, itchy or burn and then blisters appear. The blisters can break and become open sores that heal over one to two weeks. Once healed, the virus hides in the nerve cells under the surface of the skin only to reactivate later on.

Once a person is infected with the herpes virus, that person will have the infection the rest of their life. The sores can come back at any time. A variety of triggers can cause reactivation, such as stress, another illness, menstruation, and irritated skin or sunburn.

Varicella Zoster Virus

The varicella zoster virus causes chickenpox and then remains latent in the host’s nerve cells for many years. Eventually, it can reactivate as shingles. The skin becomes painful and then the shingles rash develops as a stripe of fluid-filled blisters that wraps around one side of the torso. The rash typically clears in seven to 10 days.

Shingles is more common in older adults, especially after age 50, and in people with chronic stress or who have weakened immune systems.

A vaccine is available to reduce a person’s risk for reinfection or if infected, decrease the severity and risk of complications from shingles. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people over the age of 50 receive two doses of Shingrix, with two to six months between doses.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

As one of the most common human viruses, many people become infected with EBV during childhood, but typically experience very mild symptoms or even none at all. However, some infections do lead to mononucleosis, better known as mono, causing fever, body aches, sore throat and extreme fatigue. Most kids recover in two to four weeks.

Once people are infected with EBV, they carry the virus — usually in a dormant state — for the rest of their lives. Stress and a compromised immune system can trigger reactivation, but typically it causes no symptoms. However, in rare cases, reactivation can lead to infection once again in people with weakened immune systems.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CMV is another very common infection that affects people of all ages, but typically does not cause any symptoms in healthy people. However, in people with weakened immune systems, especially those undergoing cancer treatment or an organ transplant, it can be very dangerous, even fatal. It can cause serious complications, including brain and liver inflammation, vision loss, pneumonia and more. 

Once a person is infected with CMV, they have it for life. In healthy people, CMV mainly stays dormant. The most common cause of a CMV reactivation is a weakened immune system.

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus, better known as HIV, is a virus that attacks white blood cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), the most severe stage of an HIV infection.

Most people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms, which can last for a few days to several weeks. The only way to know if a person has HIV is to get tested, since the symptoms are similar to many other illnesses.

HIV is a latent virus so once someone is infected, they have HIV for life. The virus infects immune fighting cells and can be found residing in lymph nodes.  Many people have mild symptoms and the diagnosis may be missed without proper testing.  HIV can be successfully treated and controlled with medication, but a universal cure does not exist yet. 

Learn more about Summa Health’s Infectious Disease Care by visiting summahealth.org.



About the Author

Nikole M. Scalera, M.D.

Vitality eNews Sign Up

Receive the Summa Health eNewsletter for the latest health tips, advice and updates.

Related Blogs

View all Flourish Blogs

Vaccines: What You Need to Know

As we enter the fall and winter virus season, we want you to know how you can best protect yourself and others from getting sick. There are a lot of questions about vaccines that we want to answer for you here. 

The three viruses that cause the most hospitalizations this time of year are:

  • Influenza (flu)
  • SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) 
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
All three viruses can potentially cause severe infections in adults, especially for those with underlying…

HIV Prevention with PrEP Medications: Key Facts and Benefits [Podcast]

Join us as we explore PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), a powerful tool in preventing HIV infection. We'll cover its definition and remarkable effectiveness in reducing the risk of HIV transmission.

How to Determine if it's COVID-19, the Flu or Common Cold

It’s that time of year again. You just woke up with a fever, sore throat and cough. Could it be COVID-19? The flu? Maybe just the common cold?

Different viruses that infect the respiratory tract can cause any of these illnesses. All of them are contagious and share similar symptoms, which can make it difficult to distinguish between COVID-19, the flu and common cold.

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The flu is…

7 Healthy Habits To Boost Your Immune Response

Getting sick is a fact of life. But, developing healthy habits now may help you reduce your number of sick days this winter as cold and flu season looms ahead.

The body’s immune system is a complex network of cells and organ systems that work together to protect you and your family against infection and disease. It fights everything from cold and flu viruses, including COVID-19, to dangerous bacteria to cancer. A strong immune response is influenced by many factors,…

Summa Health Answers Your Top Questions About Monkeypox

Everywhere you turn, headlines are reporting on the latest virus to hit our country: monkeypox. At the time of this post, nearly 11,000 cases have been confirmed since the virus began spreading across the country in May and the United States declared it a public health emergency earlier this month.

But what is monkeypox? Who’s most at risk? What are the symptoms? Summa Health answers your top questions about monkeypox to help reduce your risk of infection and slow the…

Is it Psoriasis, Eczema or Something Else?

Are you suffering from a red, dry, itchy rash that just won’t go away? Could it be psoriasis? Eczema? You may be desperate to get relief from symptoms, but it’s important to know what’s causing you trouble first. Psoriasis and eczema are both inflammatory chronic skin diseases that share similar symptoms, but they have very different causes and therefore, can have very different treatments.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to…

Why Are Tick-Borne Illnesses On The Rise And What Do I Need To Know?

This summer as you head out for hikes in the woods, camping and other fun outdoor activities, beware of unwelcomed visitors — ticks.

The tick population is on the rise and expanding their geographical range, and with that comes an increase in tick-borne illnesses. In fact, the annual number of cases of tick-borne diseases in the United States has nearly doubled since 2004, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with Lyme disease representing the…

Viral hepatitis: What you need to know

The liver is one of the largest and busiest organs in the body. Your liver spends its days processing nutrients, filtering blood and fighting infection, among other important jobs.

That’s why the hepatitis virus, which infects the liver, can be a major threat to this vital organ. When your liver is inflamed or damaged, it cannot function correctly.

The most common hepatitis viruses in the United States are hepatitis A, B and C. These viruses cause liver infections and…

Getting Help for Long-Term Post-COVID Symptoms [Podcast]

While most people with COVID-19 recover and return to normal health within a few weeks, others have symptoms that linger for months after recovery. Even people who have had mild versions of the virus can experience persistent or late symptoms. These people are often referred to as "long haulers" and the condition has been termed post-COVID syndrome or "long COVID-19."

What You Know About Sepsis Could Save Your Life

Whether it is a urinary tract infection, sinus infection, or an infected wound, most people consider these things to be a part of life. While many infections clear up on their own or with antibiotic medications, some infections progress to a life-threatening condition called sepsis.

According to the Sepsis Alliance, 1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with sepsis every year. What’s more, sepsis is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals, accounting for 35% of all…

Why is it so important to get your flu shot this year?

Last winter, the community took several precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. From masks and social distancing to virtual work and school to cancelled events, an unforeseen positive side effect was a less intense flu season.  

Flu cases documented during last year’s flu season were historically low by a wide margin. Medical professionals haven’t seen anything like it.  

So with many precautions still in place amidst an ongoing pandemic, you may be…

How to tell the difference between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies

At the first sign of a scratchy throat or cough, people can’t help but wonder whether they’ve contracted COVID-19 — and rightfully so.

But just because you have a sore throat and cough, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve contracted COVID-19. Pollen counts are high, affecting you or someone you know with seasonal allergies.

COVID-19and seasonal allergies both affect the respiratory system and share similar symptoms, so it can be difficult to…

Coughing etiquette 101

When you are suffering from a respiratory infection, you risk spreading the infection through your cough. In fact, each cough expels thousands of tiny, infectious droplets that travel up to six feet away.

Those droplets can be inhaled by others or land on their face. Droplets also can fall on and contaminate nearby surfaces, where they can be easily transferred to another’s hands.

Coughing etiquette, combined with facial coverings and social distancing, is the best way to…

5 unusual COVID-19 symptoms you need to know about

Fever, dry cough and shortness of breath are the telltale signs of a COVID-19 infection. But, those aren’t the only symptoms that have been linked to the virus. Other symptoms include chills, muscle or body aches, sore throat, fatigue and congestion.

As we learn more about this dangerous virus and its full range of symptoms, doctors are uncovering yet another set that are unusual and uncommon. From lesions to vomiting to deadly blood clots, doctors are discovering COVID-19 is…

Importance of flu shots—even in a pandemic

With an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and influenza (flu) season now upon us, getting the flu vaccine should be at the top of your family’s to-do list this fall.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe both the flu virus and COVID-19 could be running rampant this season. That’s why many medical experts agree this year the flu shot is more important than ever before.

Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and peaks between December and…

Summa Health's infectious disease specialist Dr. Thomas File offers the latest updates on COVID-19

We’ve learned a lot about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past six to eight months since the virus infiltrated our lives and bodies. We now know much more about how it’s spread, symptoms to watch for and how to treat some of them, as well as successful ways to protect ourselves from transmission. 

But, there’s still a long road ahead. There are many unknowns about the virus, including immunity and long-term effects. Summa Health sits down with…

The Latest Updates on COVID-19 [Podcast]

Dr. Thomas File shares the latest updates on COVID-19.

Are outdoor activities safe amidst the COVID-19 pandemic?

As weeks pass by under Ohio’s stay-at-home order, cabin fever is starting to set in for many of us. With nowhere to go and calendars cleared, families are jumping at the chance to get outdoors. Taking your activity outside is a great way to boost your health and wellbeing however, we must take extra precautions to slow the spread of Covid-19.

With summer around the corner there are many things we all look forward to doing outdoors. From cleaning up and planting our…

Myth vs. Fact: What you need to know to protect yourself from COVID-19

New headlines and reports about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are infiltrating the Internet, TV, and social media channels daily, if not hourly. Much of this information is vital for our safety and protection against the virus. However, amidst this global pandemic, there are many myths being passed around that could potentially do more harm than good.

 

Summa Health is getting to the bottom of the most pertinent questions it is hearing to separate the myths from facts.…

Fighting Coronavirus: When and how to self-quarantine

Handwashing and social distancing help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but certain situations may require more. If you have been in an office or gathering with someone who developed a confirmed case of COVID-19, you may be concerned that you have become infected as well whether you are exhibiting symptoms or not.

Should you quarantine yourself? If so, how and for how long? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend self-quarantine only if you have a medium…

How COVID-19 Affects People With Chronic Diseases

What is COVID-19? 

COVID-19 stands for “COronaVIrus Disease 2019.  COVID-19 is the disease caused by SARS-CoV2 which is a type of coronavirus.  It is characterized by fever, cough, and shortness of breath, but it is only one of many viruses that can cause similar symptoms. In the context of the current outbreak, COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, and coronavirus are often used interchangeably.

Novel Coronavirus: How Summa Health is preparing for any scenario to help keep their staff and patients safe

Everywhere you turn, there are new headlines reporting on the increasing number of cases and unfortunate deaths due to the novel coronavirus. It’s a respiratory infection that was first identified in Wuhan, China, late last year.

At the time of this post, the outbreak has been detected in more than 35 countries, including those in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019…

5 Things You Need to Know About HPV to Protect Yourself

By now, you’ve probably heard about human papillomavirus (HPV). Maybe you heard about it in a TV commercial, read about it in a magazine, or maybe you or your child’s doctor recommended the HPV vaccine. But, why is everyone talking about it? Should you be concerned?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States and nearly 80 million people in this country have it. So, what’s all the…

Novel Coronavirus: Here’s what you need to know

Everywhere you turn, there are new headlines reporting on the increasing number of cases and unfortunate deaths due to the novel coronavirus. It’s a respiratory infection that was first identified in Wuhan, China, late last year.

At the time of this post, there have been more than 9800 confirmed cases in China and a dozen other countries, including the United States, and 213 deaths due to the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the…

Hepatitis: What you need to know

Did you know the liver is the second largest organ of the entire body, after the skin? It’s also incredibly important: essential for food digestion, stores a large amount of your body’s energy and is a cleaning machine, eliminating toxins in the body. Hepatitis, usually caused by a type of virus, is an inflammation of the liver.

There are 5 types of Hepatitis, but Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common. Each type has different symptoms and treatment options.…

Should my teen get the HPV vaccination?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 150 related viruses. Each HPV virus is identified by a number, known as its “type or strain.” Some of these viruses do nothing at all, some strains lead to genital warts while others can lead to serious types of cancer.

HPV is very common. In fact, at least 14 million people become infected each year. Some estimate at least 40 percent of Americans have at least one strain. The virus is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus, during vaginal, anal or oral sex. HPV is so common that nearly all men and women come in contact with an HPV virus at some point in their lives.

Why Adult Immunizations Are Important Too

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. While we mostly think of trips to our child’s primary care physician for shots, it’s very important to maintain our immunization record as we age. Even if you received all of the recommended vaccines as a child, the protection on certain immunizations can decrease over time. You could also be at a higher risk for certain diseases due to travel, job, age, lifestyle or other health conditions.

Ticks and Lyme Disease: Why are rates so high?

Warmer weather is in full force now, and for many of us this season means outdoor activities including camping and exploring, plus the insects that call these spots home.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than 36,000 cases of Lyme disease reported each year and hundreds to thousands of cases go unreported. Since the CDC began tracking this disease, the number of annual cases has increased dramatically. Between 2004 and 2016, researchers found cases almost doubled from 19,804 to 36,429.

Before we get into possible causes of this increase, let’s explore what Lyme disease is and how to tell if you may have been infected.

PrEP An important tool in HIV prevention

In the United States, about one million people are living with HIV infection, but it’s estimated that 1 in 7 of those infected is not aware that that he or she is HIV positive. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, is where HIV-negative people take a medication to reduce their risk of getting HIV. Currently the only FDA-approved medication for PrEP is Truvada, which is taken once daily for prevention.


[{"RootId":"ba198066-3078-4dcd-8e69-28251bebb940","RootUrl":"/glossary/"}]

Options to Request an Appointment

If your situation is an emergency, call 911.