HHV-8 (Human Herpesvirus 8): Symptoms, Risks, and Associated Conditions
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is an oncovirus, meaning it can cause cancer, most notably Kaposi sarcoma. Most people have no symptoms. It likely spreads through saliva, sexual contact and from a pregnant person to a fetus, and HIV infection and organ transplants raise risk. Treatment focuses on the associated cancers or syndromes, using antiretroviral therapy, chemotherapy or antivirals. [1]
What the research says
HIV roughly doubles the odds of HHV-8 co-infection. In a meta-analysis of 93 studies with 58,357 participants from 32 countries, HIV-positive people were more likely to be HHV-8 seropositive than HIV-negative people (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.70–2.34), and the link was strongest in men who have sex with men (OR 3.95, 95% CI 2.92–5.35). (Rohner et al., Int J Cancer, 2016)
About one in three men who have sex with men carries HHV-8. A pooled analysis found an HHV-8 seroprevalence of 33.0% (95% CI 29.2%–37.1%) in this group, and both HIV (OR 3.70, 95% CI 2.93–4.67) and other sexually transmitted infections (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.82–2.97) were associated with infection. (Liu et al., J Med Virol, 2018)
KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS) is rare but can be severe. In a prospective study of 10 people with symptomatic KICS (all living with HIV, all with Kaposi sarcoma), 6 died, with a median survival of 13.6 months from diagnosis. Anemia and low albumin at presentation were independently linked to early death. (Polizzotto et al., Clin Infect Dis, 2016)
What Is Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)?
Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is a specific type of virus that belongs to the herpes family. It is classified as an oncovirus, a virus that can cause cancer. In medical literature it is frequently called Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) because of its direct link to that malignancy. Once a person is infected, HHV-8 stays in the body for life, typically remaining dormant (or "silent") within immune and epithelial cells. [1]
For most people, HHV-8 never causes a noticeable health problem. The immune system is generally able to keep the virus in check. However, if the immune system becomes significantly weakened, such as through HIV infection or after an organ transplant, the virus can cause cells to divide uncontrollably, eventually leading to cancer or severe inflammatory syndromes. [1]
How HHV-8 Spreads and Who Is at Risk
Experts are still refining their understanding of exactly how HHV-8 spreads between people. Current evidence suggests that saliva is a main route, for example through kissing or sharing food, drinks and eating utensils. Other documented routes include sexual contact, transmission from a pregnant person to a fetus during pregnancy or birth, and injected drug use. Less commonly, the virus can spread through blood transfusions or organ transplants, particularly in regions where HHV-8 infection is common. [1]
Primary risk factors
Some groups are more likely to become infected or to develop HHV-8-related illness. These include:
People living with HIV/AIDS, who are at the highest risk of HHV-8-related disease. [1]
Organ transplant recipients and others with a weakened immune system. [1]
People living in, or who previously lived in, sub-Saharan Africa, where HHV-8 infection is most common. [1]
People who use methamphetamine, which has been linked to higher risk in some studies, although the association has not been seen consistently. [1][2]
Symptoms and Associated Conditions
HHV-8 infection usually causes no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually mean the virus has led to a related condition. In children or people with a weakened immune system, HHV-8 can sometimes cause a fever and rash. It can also cause symptoms of low blood counts (pancytopenia), such as extreme tiredness, swollen lymph nodes and easy bruising. [1]
Conditions linked to HHV-8
If the virus becomes active, it can lead to several serious health problems:
Kaposi sarcoma (KS): A cancer that causes lesions (patches of abnormal tissue) to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose and throat, or in other organs. [1]
Castleman disease: A rare condition involving an overgrowth of cells in the lymph nodes. [1]
Primary effusion lymphoma: A rare type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. [1]
KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS): A severe inflammatory reaction in which the body releases too many cytokines into the blood. [4]
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Healthcare providers do not usually test for HHV-8 on its own, and it is not part of routine medical exams. Instead, the infection is typically found while diagnosing one of its associated conditions, often through a biopsy of affected tissue or a specialized blood test. [1]
Management strategies
There is no way to remove HHV-8 from the body once it is present, so treatment focuses on the resulting conditions. For people with HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the most important step: controlling HIV and restoring immune function lowers the risk of HHV-8-associated Kaposi sarcoma and frequently causes early lesions to regress. [2][8] Other treatments for HHV-8-related conditions include chemotherapy, immunotherapy (such as monoclonal antibodies) and antiviral medications such as ganciclovir, foscarnet or cidofovir. [1] For advanced Kaposi sarcoma, chemotherapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or paclitaxel is the most common treatment, although it is seldom curative. [8]
Prevention and long-term outlook
Because it is unclear exactly how HHV-8 spreads, there are no specific prevention recommendations. General guidelines include not sharing food, drinks, eating utensils or cups, practicing safe sex with a condom or dental dam, and working with your provider to manage conditions such as HIV that can weaken the immune system. [1]
The outlook for most people with HHV-8 is good, because most will never develop a related illness. [1] For those who do, the outcome depends on which condition develops and how well it responds to treatment, and early diagnosis gives the best chance of successful treatment. [1]
Conclusion
Understanding HHV-8 is a vital step in protecting long-term immune health, especially for people at higher risk. Staying informed and keeping up with regular medical checkups helps you and your healthcare team monitor and manage your health.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is HHV-8 the same as the herpes that causes cold sores?
No. While they are in the same virus family, HHV-8 is a different virus. HHV-1 and HHV-2 (the herpes simplex viruses) typically cause oral and genital herpes, whereas HHV-8 is primarily linked to cancer and inflammatory conditions. [1]
Can HHV-8 be cured?
No. Like all herpesviruses, once you are infected the virus stays in your body for life. Treatment focuses on the conditions it can cause. [1]
Is HHV-8 contagious through casual contact?
HHV-8 is not thought to spread through casual contact like hugging or shaking hands. Spread likely requires exchange of bodily fluids such as saliva or blood. [1]
Does everyone with HHV-8 get Kaposi sarcoma?
No. Most people with HHV-8 never develop Kaposi sarcoma or any other related condition. [1]
How do I know if I have HHV-8?
Most people don't know they have it. HHV-8 is usually found when a doctor investigates an associated condition, using a biopsy or a blood test. [1]
Can HHV-8 be spread through breastfeeding?
Transmission from a pregnant person to a fetus during pregnancy or birth is considered possible. Whether breastfeeding spreads HHV-8 is not well established. [1]
What are the red flag symptoms of HHV-8 complications?
Unexplained tiredness, swollen lymph nodes, easy bruising, or purple or red skin lesions should be evaluated by a doctor. [1]
Is there a vaccine for HHV-8?
No. Currently there is no vaccine available to prevent HHV-8 infection. [1]
Can safe sex prevent HHV-8?
Using condoms or dental dams is recommended as a general precaution. Because experts are not certain exactly how HHV-8 spreads, it is unclear how much these measures reduce the risk of HHV-8 specifically. [1]
Why is HHV-8 called an oncovirus?
An oncovirus is a virus that can cause cancer. HHV-8 can eventually cause infected cells to divide uncontrollably. [1]
Can children get HHV-8?
Yes. Children can be infected, and the evidence suggests that spread between children (for example through saliva) plays an important role. [3]
What is the connection between HHV-8 and HIV?
HIV weakens the immune system, making it much easier for HHV-8 to cause diseases like Kaposi sarcoma. HIV and HHV-8 infections also often occur together. [1][6]
Can HHV-8 be treated with antibiotics?
No. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. HHV-8 is a virus, and treatment targets the conditions it causes, sometimes including antiviral medications. [1]
Is Castleman disease a type of cancer?
Castleman disease is formally classified as a lymphoproliferative disorder. It involves an overgrowth of cells in the lymph nodes and behaves like a cancer in some ways, but it is not classified as one. [1]
Related Reading
Kaposi's Sarcoma: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Guide covers the HHV-8 linked cancer that causes purple skin lesions.
Castleman Disease: Types, Symptoms, Treatment & Complete Guide explains this rare lymph node disorder, including the HHV-8 linked type.
HIV/AIDS: Symptoms, Causes, and How It Is Diagnosed and Treated explains how HIV is diagnosed, treated and prevented.
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): Symptoms, How It Spreads, Link to Mono and Cancer, Diagnosis and Treatment — What You Need to Know covers another herpesvirus linked to mono and certain cancers.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Cleveland Clinic. Last updated January 27, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/hhv8
ClinicalInfo.HIV.gov. Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV: Human Herpesvirus-8 Disease. ClinicalInfo.HIV.gov. Updated April 23, 2025; reviewed March 16, 2026. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/hiv-clinical-guidelines-adult-and-adolescent-opportunistic-infections/human-herpesvirus
Dow DE, et al. A Review of Human Herpesvirus 8, the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus, in the Pediatric Population. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2014;3(1):66-76. PMID 24567845. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpids/pit051
Karass M, et al. Kaposi Sarcoma Inflammatory Cytokine Syndrome (KICS): A Rare but Potentially Treatable Condition. Oncologist. 2017;22(5):623-625. PMID 28424322. https://doi.org/10.1634/theoncologist.2016-0237
Polizzotto MN, et al. Clinical Features and Outcomes of Patients With Symptomatic Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV)-associated Inflammation: Prospective Characterization of KSHV Inflammatory Cytokine Syndrome (KICS). Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(6):730-738. PMID 26658701. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/civ996
Rohner E, et al. HIV and human herpesvirus 8 co-infection across the globe: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cancer. 2016;138(1):45-54. PMID 26175054. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.29687
Liu Z, et al. Global epidemiology of human herpesvirus 8 in men who have sex with men: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Virol. 2018;90(3):582-591. PMID 28975631. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.24960
Cesarman E, et al. Kaposi sarcoma. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5(1):9. PMID 30705286. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0060-9
Kaye KM. Overview of Herpesvirus Infections. Merck Manual Professional Version. Last updated January 2026. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/herpesviruses/overview-of-herpesvirus-infections
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.
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