Herpes virus is a fairly common infection found in most of the inhabitants of the earth. This group includes several species, and each of them provokes a certain disease. This list also includes vaginal herpes, which is manifested by rashes in the intimate zone in women and is accompanied by numerous unpleasant symptoms.
Features of the disease
Vaginal herpes is a disease that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus can be represented by the following types:
- HSV-1.
- HSV-2 - it is this subspecies in 75-80% that causes the appearance of genital herpes in women.
This viral disease is spread mainly through sexual contact. This characteristic allows us to attribute the disease to gynecological and venereological pathologies.
Most often, herpes symptoms occur in women from 21 to 25 years old and from 34 to 38 years old. At the same time, doctors note: with infection with the herpes virus, symptoms may not appear immediately. Most often, the latent development of the disease occurs. So, a woman may for several decades not suspect the presence of a viral infection in her body. Obvious symptoms in this case will appear under certain environmental conditions or the state of the body. However, a woman, even with hidden genital herpes, can infect her sexual partner.
Causes of the disease
The main reason for the appearance of symptoms of vaginal herpes is the entry of the HSV-2 virus into the woman's body. Infection occurs through close contact with the carrier of infection. The strain is transmitted in several ways:
- with sexual intercourse;
- airborne droplets;
- household way - using common hygiene items.
As mentioned earlier, after entering the body, the herpes virus does not always take an active position. It can be in a "sleeping" state, and it will only switch to activity under certain conditions.
Herpes provoking factors
The following factors can trigger the activation of the disease:
- prolonged exposure to heat;
- hypothermia of the body;
- smoking abuse;
- excessive drinking of alcohol;
- poor nutrition;
- constant stressful situations;
- large physical exertion;
- overwork;
- numerous abortions;
- prolonged use of the intrauterine device as contraception;
- the appearance in the intimate zone of various injuries and microcracks.
The risk of developing genital herpes is especially high in those women who have low immunity. In this case, the body is not able to resist the virus, and therefore the disease develops actively and very rapidly.
Getting rid of the virus is extremely difficult. Most often, after a course of treatment, the symptoms completely disappear, but the virus is not eliminated, but simply goes into an inactive state. In any adverse condition, the disease returns.
Clinical picture
It is quite simple to distinguish herpes from many other diseases, since the symptoms are quite characteristic:
- The appearance of vesicles on the labia, in the vagina, perineum and even on the inner thighs. The process begins with the formation of red dots on the skin. Gradually, bubbles form from the points, inside which you can see a slightly cloudy liquid. If the bubble bursts, a small area of skin with erosion remains in its place, which heals for 7-10 days. In the photo below - vaginal herpes in its usual manifestation.
- Severe itching. Rashes in the intimate area are accompanied by severe itching and discomfort. In this case, without symptomatic treatment, itching accompanies the entire process of the disease.
- Painful sensations. This manifestation does not always occur with vaginal herpes in women, and most often begins only with severe rashes or at the stage of erosion (from bursting vesicles).
- Frequent, painful urination. This symptom is due to damage to the integrity of the skin in the genital area and the irritating effect of urine.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin. Lymph nodes are easily palpated, pain is observed.
- General condition worsening. Women often complain of headache, fatigue, drowsiness. Perhaps nervous tension, irritability.
Against the background of a viral disease, several other diseases can occur, in connection with which the following symptoms are added to the main symptoms:
- vaginal dysbiosis, accompanied by profuse discharge;
- fever.
Types of the chronic form of the disease
Approximately 60-65% of women who have had genital herpes once, sooner or later again experience the symptoms of this disease. At the same time, 3 types of chronic course are distinguished in medicine, which differ in symptoms, intensity of manifestation and methods of therapy:
- Silent type. This option is considered the most favorable of all possible. After each new relapse, an ever longer remission and less vivid symptoms occur.
- Arrhythmic type. With this course of chronic disease, the dependence of the brightness of the symptoms on the duration of remission is noted. The more often genital herpes appears, the less pronounced the symptoms become and vice versa.
- Monotone. This type of disease is considered the most difficult and difficult to treat. Relapse frequency does not affect the brightness of the clinical picture. In this case, herpes can occur with a certain cyclical nature, for example, during menstruation, the symptoms sharply worsen and practically subside after its end.
Diagnosis of genital herpes
An experienced doctor will be able to determine the presence of the disease quite quickly, since vaginal herpes looks very characteristic. To do this, it is enough to examine the patient. During the examination, the doctor will listen to the complaints of the woman and will conduct an examination on the armchair. Palpation of the lymph nodes is also performed.
With typical symptoms of genital herpes, the diagnosis is not in doubt. However, there are other diagnostic methods:
- The cultural method. For such a diagnosis, a smear is taken from the patient's vagina in order to identify the herpes virus.
- Blood analysis. The composition of the blood reveals the presence of antibodies to herpes simplex.
Treatment with antiherpetic drugs
The main objective in the treatment of vaginal herpes is to block the further development of the virus. This approach will eliminate the cause of the disease, which means that the symptoms will disappear. Antiherpetic drugs can cope with this. In pharmacies, these drugs are presented in different forms. These are oral medications (tablets and capsules) and local action (these include gels, ointments and creams).
The list of the most common drugs in this group includes:
- Zovirax.
- "Acyclovir."
- Famciclovir.
- "Valtrex".
In each case, the attending physician should choose the most suitable option. He also prescribes the dosage and duration of use. On average, the course of treatment with antiherpetic drugs lasts 5-7 days. In some cases, the withdrawal of symptoms is slow, so the treatment may be longer.
Treatment of vaginal herpes in the presence of ulcers and erosion
If ulcers have already formed on the site of the bubbles, this brings the woman a lot of discomfort. To severe itching, pain and irritation are added during urination. In this case, the doctor prescribes ointments, which contain an antibiotic. Among such means:
- tetracycline ointment;
- synthomycin ointment.
This speeds up healing and blocks the possible attachment of other infections. The result is that symptom relief is faster.
Drying talcum powder or powders with zinc oxide can alleviate the condition and accelerate healing.
Miramistin, Chlorhexidine, solutions of aniline dyes are often used as solutions for treating genital organs.
All local preparations need to be applied correctly. First, it is recommended to take a sitz bath with water added to the broth of chamomile or potassium permanganate (ordinary potassium permanganate). Ointments or powders are applied to clean, slightly dried skin.
Complex treatment
Quite often, analgesics are prescribed as complex therapy, since it will not be easy to cure vaginal herpes without blocking symptoms. Most often, medicines are selected from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It could be:
- Ibuprofen
- Nimesulide.
- Indomethacin.
With the help of such funds, the intensity of inflammatory reactions is reduced, and the pain syndrome is stopped.
As local antimicrobials, vaginal suppositories for herpes are prescribed, for example:
- Lavomax.
- "Genferon".
- Hexicon.
- "Panavir".
In the case of frequent relapses of genital herpes in patients, doctors prescribe immunotherapy agents. The purpose of such drugs is to increase the body's natural defenses. Typical representatives of this group are:
- "Immunal."
- Neovir.
- Viferon.
- Arbidol.
- "Imudon."
In some cases, treatment is supplemented by courses of complex vitamins.
According to medical statistics and reviews, vaginal herpes with complex therapy is treated much sooner. Patients note: the very next day of the use of medicines, itching decreases, and the general condition improves. After 2-3 days, the intensity of skin rashes decreases.
Hygiene rules
During treatment, it is extremely important to observe the rules of hygiene.
The intimate area needs to be washed several times a day. In this case, an agent for intimate hygiene should have a neutral pH level.
In cases where sores are covered with thin crusts, it is forbidden to use scrubbing agents. Abrasive particles can damage the skin and cause even more irritation.
The towel should be individual and always clean. This will prevent the infection from reaching the skin a second time.
Folk remedies for genital herpes
In addition to the medicines recommended by doctors, there are many recipes for traditional medicine. This is herbal medicine and other medicinal products.
It is important to remember: before treating genital herpes, you should always consult a doctor. With improper actions, the symptoms can intensify, and others will be added to the main viral infection. Moreover, people's advice helps to cope only with the symptoms, but does not eliminate the cause. This feature does not allow the use of such methods as the main treatment.
Affected areas of the skin are recommended to be gently lubricated with natural fir oil. It relieves inflammation and accelerates healing processes.
Some essential oils (eucalyptus, lemon, tea tree and geraniums) have antiseptic properties, therefore, have a beneficial effect on the skin and help reduce the symptoms of genital herpes. 5 drops of one of these oils can be added to a warm sitting bath. The duration of the procedure is at least 15 minutes.
Phytotherapy
The main treatment for vaginal herpes can be combined with lotions and decoction of herbs. To prepare such a product, you need to fill 10-15 g of birch buds with a glass of cold milk, bring to a boil and boil for 3-5 minutes. After that, the liquid is removed from the heat and cooled. A piece of sterile bandage is folded several times and moistened in the resulting milk broth. Apply a bandage to the affected area for several minutes.
Doctors recommend getting rid of any sexual contact during the entire course of treatment. Thus, a woman will accelerate her own recovery and protect her partner from infection.
In fact, vaginal herpes is a rather complex disease that is difficult to treat and causes a lot of suffering in women. Can I try to protect myself from infection? In a sense, yes. For this, it is necessary to prevent unprotected sexual intercourse, promiscuous sexual relations and pay special attention to the state of your immunity. Such simple at first glance tips can minimize the risk of infection with the herpes virus.