Final answer:
The herpesvirus hides in nerve ganglia by becoming latent, evading the immune response, and reactivating under stress, causing recurrent infections such as cold sores and shingles.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Herpesvirus Hides in Nerve Ganglia
The herpesvirus, such as HSV-1, HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), can cause recurrent infections due to their ability to become latent and reside within nerve ganglia for extended periods. These viruses travel along peripheral nerves to ganglia such as the trigeminal ganglion for HSV-1, or the lumbar-sacral ganglia for HSV-2, and enter a dormant state. During latency, the virus makes few viral proteins, effectively evading the immune response. Under conditions such as stress or immunosuppression, the herpesvirus can be reactivated, leading to the production of viral particles and the appearance of characteristic lesions like cold sores or shingles on the skin. Reactivated virus stimulates the immune response, which then seeks to resolve the outbreak. This cycle allows the herpesvirus to persist within the host for life, with the potential for multiple reactivation events over time.
Latent herpes virus infections remain a clinical concern due to the possibility of transmission between outbreaks and the potential for serious conditions like neonatal herpes, which can occur if an infant is exposed to the virus during birth.