Herpes is a viral disease that manifests itself with a decrease in the protective functions of the body. Pathology is incurable: once it enters the body, the virus remains there until the end of human life. But with strong immunity, he may never manifest himself.
Nature of the problem
HIV is a severely weakened immune syndrome. Also considered incurable. When herpes occurs in the body with HIV, this means that the incurable herpes virus does not encounter any resistance from the human immune system. Therefore, herpes in combination with HIV is a long and difficult to treat disease. Especially if not only the patient's face is affected, but also the genitals and other organs.
Typically, in a healthy person, herpes disappears within 11-14 days. First, small pimples appear on the skin, separate or combined in conglomeration, then they burst, and in their place ulcers form, painful and oozing. At the last stage, erosion dries and disappears without a trace.
Herpes with HIV has the same symptoms, but it goes much longer and harder. Erosion is deeper, more numerous and more painful, and the duration of the disease can take from several weeks to 3-6 months. In this regard, herpes with HIV is treated only under the constant supervision of a doctor and strictly according to his recommendations.
Types of Herpes
Herpes has several types, each of which is dangerous in its own way and has nuances in treatment:
- Herpes on the face. It proceeds according to the same scenario as in patients without immunodeficiency virus. With the exception of several differences: herpes on the lips with HIV covers a large area of the skin, the number of pimples at the beginning of the disease is more numerous. This type of disease with HIV can go into meningoencephalitis, if left untreated.
- Genital herpes is caused by type 2 herpes virus. It affects the human genitals. Erosion occurs on the genitals. In men, on the head of the penis, and in women on the walls of the vagina. The skin in the inguinal region and around the anus is also affected. At the time of exacerbation of herpes in humans, inguinal lymph nodes swell. The pain becomes very severe. This type of disease with HIV is considered the most severe in terms of symptoms and treatment.
- Shingles. Herpes zoster with HIV infection is treated long and hard. With this type of disease, a rash covers the head, neck, and back of a person. The virus, without encountering resistance in the body, can affect the eyes, ears and other organs. The pain at the same time captures the whole body, since all nerve endings are affected. At the same time, the lymph nodes are enlarged, body temperature is kept at the highest levels.
- Chickenpox. The disease is characterized by tiny pimples that cover almost the entire body of the patient. If a person has HIV, then smallpox is extremely slow - up to several weeks. Moreover, it is accompanied by complications in the internal organs.
- Epstein-Bara virus. Despite the external similarity with herpes, namely the presence of small painful pimples in the patient's mouth, this pathology is much more dangerous. Not only can it cause arthritis, encephalopathy, hepatitis and pneumonia, but it is also the first sign of AIDS that begins.
Virus transmission methods
Herpes virus is the most common microorganism among people. Almost all the inhabitants of the planet have it, about 98%. But for most people it never manifests itself in life, and they do not know that they are carriers. Herpes simplex virus can be transmitted along with saliva during a kiss or through dishes. Even through a handshake, if there are microcracks and wounds on the palms of both people. You can get such a virus in a public bath or pool.
The second type of virus is transmitted mainly during sex. Especially if the contact was hard and was accompanied by microcracks on the mucous membrane of the genitals. Often, anal sex becomes the reason that a person is faced with the problem of how to treat herpes in the intimate area. Also, by the way, HIV infection through the mucous membrane is also transmitted in non-traditional, unprotected intercourse.
A person affected by herpes, during the formation of erosions on the skin secreting a clear liquid, is most infectious to others. Indeed, in this fluid, which follows from the wounds, the herpes virus is contained in almost pure form.
Man is only born clean of the virus. But he can become infected in the first seconds of his life, passing through the birth canal of his mother, suffering from herpes.
Symptoms of the disease
Common cold sores on the face begin to appear with a slight tingling and itching around the lips and nose. The same applies to genital herpes and shingles, the main symptom in the first hours is itching. After 1-2 days, the first pimples appear. They are firm to the touch, with a white head through which a clear liquid is visible. With genital herpes, these formations cover the urethra and all the cavities covered with the mucous membrane.
After 3-5 days, pimples burst. Round wounds are found under them, from which a clear liquid oozes. Itching and severe pain accompanies a person all these days. If a person is HIV-infected at the same time, then the stage of healing of erosion stretches for an unimaginable time. It all depends on his general condition and the correctness of therapy. In a healthy person, erosion dries up and resolves on the 10-13th day.
Pathology diagnostics
Treatment for herpes with HIV depends on accurate diagnosis. Doctors need to know what type of virus they have to deal with. After all, the body of a patient with HIV is already weakened to an extreme degree.
First of all, it is necessary to confirm the presence of the immunodeficiency virus in the patient's body . This is done using a blood test. With the help of a polymer chain reaction, the type of herpes is established on the DNA residues. The patient’s blood is also examined using an enzyme immunoassay.
Herpes Treatment for HIV
Therapy of pathology is carried out after an accurate diagnosis. Herpes for HIV infection treatment is complex. Indeed, during therapy it is necessary not only to suppress the virus, but also to strengthen the body's immune system in order to reduce the number of relapses.
In addition, genital herpes with HIV also has topical treatment. This is due to the fact that it is this type of disease that is accompanied by severe pain, especially when urinating. In more detail, how to treat herpes in the intimate zone should be reported by a venereologist.
In principle, any treatment for a viral disease should be prescribed by a specialist, independent actions in this case will be ineffective, and sometimes dangerous.
As a rule, the patient is prescribed “Acyclovir”, “Famciclovir” or “Valacyclovir” in the form of ointment or cream. Also, these drugs can be prescribed for internal use in the form of tablets.
Acne and erosion itself should be treated only with the means indicated by the doctor, and do this in sterile conditions of the treatment room. Indeed, through these wounds another infection can penetrate. And the wounds themselves become sources of viral infection. That is why a patient with herpes with HIV is quarantined. Treatment is carried out under the strict supervision of a physician.
Acyclovir tablets: instructions for use in adults
This drug is so popular and effective in the fight against herpes that you should learn more about it. This antiviral agent is available in the form of tablets, which include the main therapeutic substance - acyclovir.
It is used for cold sores of the first and second type, chicken pox and shingles. The drug is safe, but may cause an allergic reaction. You can not use the drug during pregnancy and lactation.
Side effects of the drug include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, dizziness, and effects on the central nervous system. In addition, under the influence of the drug in a person, kidney failure can frolic and muscle pain will appear.
“Acyclovir” is realized in tablets with instructions for use, adults should definitely read it before using the drug.
If herpes is found in an HIV-infected person, 400 mg of the drug is taken 5 times a day. The duration of admission is determined by the doctor.
Folk remedies
Herpes can be treated with traditional medicine. True, to increase the effectiveness of therapy, one should not neglect the use of medications. Especially with HIV, when the body needs any help in the fight against the virus.
So, for example, with genital herpes, baths with a decoction of licorice root are widely used. You can also treat pimples with calendula ointment. It relieves itching and pain in the groin, as well as a decoction of mint on the genitals.
Prevention
The herpes virus, appearing in the human body, is incurable. But to suppress its manifestations is quite possible, resorting to preventive measures. Particular care must be taken if the body is weakened by HIV infection.
First of all, you need to take care of your immunity. To do this, you need to eat right, without fatty meat and spicy seasonings. Add to the diet should be fresh fruits and nuts. It is necessary to give up smoking and alcohol. These habits destroy the immune system no worse than HIV infection. You should regularly exercise and temper the body. Especially if you have to lead a sedentary lifestyle associated with professional activities. And the last - you need to regularly check your health with a doctor with all the necessary tests.