The Complete List of Viruses That Start with H includes 69 scientifically recognized viruses from around the world. These viruses come from many different families and affect a range of hosts, including humans, animals, insects, and plants. Many of the human-affecting viruses in this list cause serious illnesses like hepatitis, herpes, and respiratory infections. The diversity of viruses starting with the letter H shows how wide-ranging and impactful viruses can be in both nature and human health.
Explore the detailed table below for a full alphabetical guide to these viruses.
Virus Name This column lists the official name of each virus, helping you to identify it clearly and accurately.
Classification Here, you find the virus family or group it belongs to, which shows its scientific category and relation to other viruses.
Primary Hosts This column states whether the virus affects humans, animals, plants, or insects, clarifying its typical hosts.
Associated Illness/Symptoms Learn about the key symptoms or diseases the virus causes. This helps to quickly understand its health impact.
Transmission Method This explains how the virus spreads from one host to another, highlighting common routes like contact, airborne particles, vectors, or food and water.
Descripción A brief description provides more information about the virus’s origin, behavior, and notable features, offering context for its importance or uniqueness.
Viruses that start with H
Viruses | Classification | Affects Humans? | Symptoms | Transmission Method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hantaan Virus | Orthohantavirus | Yes | Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (fever, chills, headache, kidney failure) | Contact with aerosolized rodent excreta (urine, droppings, saliva) |
Hares-foot Clover Mottle Virus | Carlavirus | No | Mottling, stunting, leaf deformation in clover plants | Aphids (vector), mechanical transmission |
Hart’s-tongue Fern Yellow Fleck Virus | Unassigned (Putative Rhabdovirus) | No | Yellow flecks, chlorotic spots on Hart’s-tongue fern leaves | Unknown, likely vector-borne (e.g., insects) |
Helicoverpa Armigera Stunt Virus | Permutacapsulavirus (Nudiviridae) | No | Stunting, reduced feeding, larval mortality in Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm) | Oral ingestion by larvae |
Helicoverpa Zea Virus 1 | Ascovirus | No | Lethargy, reduced feeding, paralysis, larval death in Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm) | Oral ingestion by larvae |
Heliothis Virescens Ascovirus 3a | Ascovirus | No | Ascites (fluid accumulation), larval death in Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm) | Parasitoid wasps (vectors) |
Hemlock Carrot Latent Virus | Potyvirus | No | Latent or mild symptoms, reduced vigor in hemlock and carrot plants | Aphids (vector) |
Hendra Virus | Henipavirus | Yes (rarely) | Severe respiratory illness, encephalitis, fever, headache, muscle pain | Direct contact with infected horses or their fluids (originally from bats) |
Hepatitis A Virus | Hepatovirus | Yes | Acute hepatitis (fever, fatigue, nausea, jaundice, abdominal pain) | Fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water) |
Hepatitis B Virus | Orthohepadnavirus | Yes | Acute or chronic hepatitis (fatigue, jaundice, cirrhosis, liver cancer) | Blood, sexual contact, mother-to-child |
Hepatitis C Virus | Hepacivirus | Yes | Often asymptomatic; chronic hepatitis, fatigue, cirrhosis, liver cancer | Blood (shared needles, transfusions before 1992) |
Hepatitis D Virus | Deltavirus | Yes (co-infection with HBV) | Severe acute or chronic hepatitis, often worse than HBV alone | Blood, sexual contact, mother-to-child (requires HBV for replication) |
Hepatitis E Virus | Orthohepevirus | Yes | Acute hepatitis (fever, fatigue, nausea, jaundice) | Fecal-oral route (contaminated water, undercooked meat) |
Heracleum Latent Virus | Tobamovirus | No | Latent or mild symptoms in Heracleum (hogweed) species | Mechanical transmission |
Heron Hepatitis B Virus | Avihepadnavirus | No | Hepatitis (liver inflammation) in herons | Unknown, likely avian specific transmission |
Hibiscus Chlorotic Ringspot Virus | Carmovirus | No | Chlorotic ringspots, mottling, distortion on hibiscus leaves | Mechanical transmission, possibly sap-sucking insects |
Hippeastrum Mosaic Virus | Potyvirus | No | Mosaic patterns, streaking, deformation on Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) leaves | Aphids (vector), mechanical transmission |
Hop Latent Virus | Carlavirus | No | Often asymptomatic (“latent”), can reduce yield and cannabinoid/terpene production in hops | Mechanical transmission, possibly propagation materials |
Hop Mosaic Virus | Potyvirus | No | Mosaic patterns, yellowing, stunting in hop plants | Aphids (vector), mechanical transmission |
Barley Mosaic-Associated Virus | Potyvirus | No | Mosaic symptoms, streaking on barley leaves | Unknown, possibly mechanical or vector-borne |
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) | Simplexvirus | Yes | Oral herpes (cold sores, fever blisters), genital herpes, ocular herpes | Direct contact (saliva, skin lesions), kissing, sharing utensils |
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) | Simplexvirus | Yes | Genital herpes, oral herpes, neonatal herpes | Direct contact (sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact with lesions) |
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) | Varicellovirus | Yes | Chickenpox (primary infection), Shingles (reactivation) | Respiratory droplets, direct contact with blister fluid |
Human Astrovirus | Mamastrovirus | Yes | Gastroenteritis (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever), primarily in children | Fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water, direct contact) |
Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) | Cytomegalovirus | Yes | Often asymptomatic; mononucleosis-like syndrome, severe in immunocompromised or congenitally infected infants | Body fluids (saliva, urine, blood, sexual contact, mother-to-child) |
Human Herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) | Roseolovirus | Yes | Roseola infantum, fever, seizures, encephalitis, possible link to chronic diseases | Saliva, respiratory secretions |
Human Herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) | Roseolovirus | Yes | Roseola infantum (primary cause), fever, seizures, encephalitis | Saliva, respiratory secretions |
Human Herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) | Roseolovirus | Yes | Roseola infantum (less common), fever, mild rash | Saliva, respiratory secretions |
Human Bocavirus | Bocaparvovirus | Yes | Respiratory infections (cough, wheezing, shortness of breath), gastroenteritis | Respiratory droplets, fecal-oral route |
Human Cardiovirus | Cardiovirus | Yes | Mild respiratory or gastrointestinal illness, possibly neurological complications | Fecal-oral route, respiratory droplets |
Human Coronavirus 229E | Alphacoronavirus | Yes | Common cold symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever) | Respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces |
Human Coronavirus HKU1 | Betacoronavirus | Yes | Common cold symptoms, bronchitis, pneumonia, particularly in older adults | Respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces |
Human Coronavirus NL63 | Alphacoronavirus | Yes | Common cold symptoms, bronchiolitis, croup, particularly in children | Respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces |
Human Coronavirus OC43 | Betacoronavirus | Yes | Common cold symptoms, bronchitis, pneumonia | Respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces |
Human Cosavirus A | Cosavirus | Yes | Gastroenteritis (diarrhea, vomiting), abdominal discomfort | Fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water) |
Human Enterovirus A | Enterovirus | Yes | Hand, foot, and mouth disease, herpangina, meningitis, poliomyelitis-like illness | Fecal-oral route, respiratory droplets |
Human Enterovirus B | Enterovirus | Yes | Meningitis, myocarditis, hand, foot, and mouth disease, acute flaccid paralysis | Fecal-oral route, respiratory droplets |
Human Enterovirus C | Enterovirus | Yes | Poliomyelitis, acute flaccid paralysis, common cold, meningitis | Fecal-oral route, respiratory droplets |
Human Enterovirus D | Enterovirus | Yes | Acute flaccid paralysis, severe respiratory illness | Fecal-oral route, respiratory droplets |
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) | Lymphocryptovirus | Yes | Infectious mononucleosis (“mono”), fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, linked to cancers | Saliva (“kissing disease”) |
Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) | Rhadinovirus | Yes | Often asymptomatic; Kaposi’s sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, multicentric Castleman disease | Saliva, sexual contact, blood, mother-to-child |
Human Gyrovirus | Gyrovirus (Anelloviridae) | Yes | Role in human disease unclear; detected in blood, respiratory samples | Unknown, possibly respiratory or blood-borne |
Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) | Lentivirus | Yes | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) – severe immunodeficiency, opportunistic infections, cancers | Sexual contact, shared needles, blood transfusions, mother-to-child |
Human Immunodeficiency Virus 2 (HIV-2) | Lentivirus | Yes | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) – similar to HIV-1 but typically slower progression | Sexual contact, shared needles, blood transfusions, mother-to-child |
Human Mastadenovirus | Mastadenovirus | Yes | Respiratory infections (common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia), conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis | Respiratory droplets, fecal-oral, direct contact |
Human Metapneumovirus | Metapneumovirus | Yes | Respiratory infections (bronchiolitis, pneumonia), common cold, croup, asthma exacerbations | Respiratory droplets, direct contact |
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) | Orthopneumovirus | Yes | Respiratory infections (bronchiolitis, pneumonia), common cold, especially severe in infants/elderly | Respiratory droplets, direct contact |
Human Parechovirus A | Parechovirus | Yes | Respiratory, gastrointestinal, sepsis-like illness, meningitis, especially in neonates | Fecal-oral route, respiratory droplets |
Human Picobirnavirus | Picobirnavirus | Yes | Gastroenteritis (diarrhea), but its role in human disease is uncertain | Fecal-oral route |
Human Polyomavirus 1 (BK Virus) | Polyomavirus | Yes | Asymptomatic; kidney transplant nephropathy, hemorrhagic cystitis in immunocompromised | Respiratory droplets, urine, possibly fecal-oral |
Human Polyomavirus 2 (JC Virus) | Polyomavirus | Yes | Asymptomatic; Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) in immunocompromised | Respiratory droplets, urine, possibly fecal-oral |
Human Polyomavirus | Polyomavirus | Yes | Often asymptomatic; opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals | Respiratory, urine, possibly fecal-oral |
Human Parainfluenza Virus 1 | Respirovirus | Yes | Respiratory infections (croup, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, common cold) | Respiratory droplets, direct contact |
Human Parainfluenza Virus 3 | Respirovirus | Yes | Respiratory infections (bronchiolitis, pneumonia, common cold), especially in infants | Respiratory droplets, direct contact |
Human Rhinovirus A | Rhinovirus | Yes | Common cold symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing) | Respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces |
Human Rhinovirus B | Rhinovirus | Yes | Common cold symptoms, upper respiratory infections | Respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces |
Human Rhinovirus C | Rhinovirus | Yes | Common cold symptoms, respiratory infections, can be more severe in children with asthma | Respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces |
Human Rotavirus A | Rotavirus | Yes | Severe gastroenteritis (diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain), especially in infants/young children | Fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water, direct contact) |
Human Rotavirus B | Rotavirus | Yes | Gastroenteritis (diarrhea) outbreaks, primarily in adults | Fecal-oral route |
Human Rotavirus C | Rotavirus | Yes | Gastroenteritis (diarrhea), typically milder than Rotavirus A | Fecal-oral route |
Human Spumaretrovirus | Spumavirus | Yes | Asymptomatic, no clear association with human disease | Unknown, possibly saliva or blood |
Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1 (HTLV-1) | Deltaretrovirus | Yes | Often asymptomatic; Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL), HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP) | Sexual contact, blood, mother-to-child (breastfeeding) |
Human T-lymphotropic Virus 2 (HTLV-2) | Deltaretrovirus | Yes | Often asymptomatic; possible association with neurological or hematological disorders | Sexual contact, blood, shared needles |
Human T-lymphotropic Virus 3 (HTLV-3) | Deltaretrovirus | Yes (potential) | Unclear, found in Central African primates, zoonotic potential | Unknown, likely similar to HTLV-1/2 from primate exposure |
Human T-lymphotropic Virus 4 (HTLV-4) | Deltaretrovirus | Yes (potential) | Unclear, found in Central African primates, zoonotic potential | Unknown, likely similar to HTLV-1/2 from primate exposure |
Human Torovirus | Torovirus | Yes | Gastroenteritis (diarrhea, abdominal pain), often mild or asymptomatic | Fecal-oral route |
Hyacinth Mosaic Virus | Potyvirus | No | Mosaic patterns, streaking, flower distortion in hyacinths | Aphids (vector), mechanical transmission |
Hydrangea Ringspot Virus | Unassigned (Putative Tobamovirus) | No | Ringspots, chlorosis (yellowing) on hydrangea leaves and flowers | Mechanical transmission, propagation |
Alfalfa Weevil Densovirus | Densovirus | No | Larval mortality, reduced growth in alfalfa weevil | Oral ingestion by larvae |