Genital herpes is a fairly common infectious disease that affects both men and women. The ailment is accompanied by the appearance of a very characteristic rash in the external genital area. Specific therapy helps to eliminate the main symptoms of the disease, but it is almost impossible to completely clear the body of the infection.
Of course, many people are interested in additional information about such a pathology. Why does the disease develop? How is genital herpes transmitted? What symptoms should I look for? Is there any way to prevent infection? Answers to these questions are important to many readers.
Causes of genital herpes. Pathogen Description
This is a very common viral disease that affects people of all ages, genders and nationalities. The role of the pathogen in most cases is played by the herpes simplex virus of the second type. Herpes of the first type most often leads to damage to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, although it can also cause a rash on the external genitalia.
Infection easily penetrates the human body through small lesions on the skin and mucous membranes. Further, the viral particles penetrate into the nerve ganglia, where they remain for life. To date, there are no drugs that can completely cleanse the human body from infection. On the other hand, the herpes virus causes a chronic disease in which short periods of relapse (their duration ranges from two days to three weeks) are replaced by long-term remissions, during which the patient feels completely normal.
Are there any risk factors?
According to statistics, about 90% of the world's population is infected with a virus. Nevertheless, external signs do not appear at all. The risk factors in this case include:
- the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases;
- the presence of foci of chronic inflammation;
- a decrease in immune activity (but against the background of a weakening of the body's defenses, the virus begins to multiply intensively, which leads to the appearance of characteristic rashes);
- according to statistics, herpes is more often manifested in women than in men, which is associated with periodic changes in the hormonal background, the features of the reproductive system.
How is genital herpes transmitted?
As already mentioned, this is a fairly common disease, which in most cases is transmitted during sexual intercourse. In this case, it is not only about contact with internal fluids. The infection is transmitted during oral caresses and even through kisses. It is worth noting that in most cases the partner does not even suspect that he is infected, since there are no external symptoms.
On the other hand, this is far from the only way to spread the virus. How can I catch genital herpes? Infection may occur:
- airborne droplets (this is rare, but quite possible);
- self-infection is sometimes observed (for example, the patient himself can transfer viral particles released through the mucous membranes of the lips to the skin of the external genital organs);
- the infection is sometimes transmitted from mother to child - this can occur during fetal development (the infection penetrates the placenta), during the passage of the baby through the birth canal of the mother;
- household transmission of the infection is also possible, but this is rare (the virus can be picked up when sharing some hygiene items).
The main symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of genital herpes can be different - it all depends on the severity of the disease, the degree of spread of the rash, gender and the general condition of the patient. The duration of the incubation period may be different. Relapses of the disease, as a rule, develop against the background of a decrease in immune activity.
In the first few days, you can observe the general symptoms of intoxication. The body temperature rises to 37-38 degrees, the patient complains of chills, weakness, muscle pain. Sometimes there is a significant increase in lymph nodes in the inguinal region.
Herpes is accompanied by the appearance of a very specific rash. Small bubbles appear on the patient’s skin, filled with a clear liquid. They are usually arranged in groups. Genital herpes in women is characterized by the appearance of rashes on the external labia, the tissues around the anus, and the skin on the inner thighs. Sometimes the pathological process extends to the mucous membranes of the vagina.
Genital herpes in men is accompanied by the appearance of rashes on the hips, buttocks, skin of the scrotum and penis. In addition, in patients of both sexes, skin lesions around the lips and on the fingers, as well as the mucous tissues of the eyes, and the oral cavity are possible. The appearance of a rash is accompanied by severe burning, itching and even pain.
Bubbles open as the disease progresses - small wounds form in their place, which are then covered with a yellowish crust. Sores deliver a lot of discomfort. As a rule, wounds heal within 7-14 days, but sometimes they become the gateway to a bacterial infection.
In men, genital herpes is sometimes associated with painful urination (if the rash spreads to the mucous membranes of the urethra). In the fair sex, the ailment can be accompanied by the appearance of uncharacteristic vaginal discharge.
Developmental stages
Symptoms of genital herpes directly depend on the stage of development of the disease. To date, there are three stages:
- The first stage is characterized by the appearance of rashes only on the skin and mucous membranes of the external genitalia.
- The second stage is accompanied by the spread of infection. The disease affects the mucous tissues of the urethra, and in women also the sheath of the vagina and cervix.
- In the third stage, rashes spread to other organs of the reproductive system. Herpes affects the tissues of the bladder, uterus and appendages in women, as well as the prostate gland in men.
Against the background of a pronounced decrease in immune defense, the infection spreads higher along the genitourinary tract, which can provoke a number of dangerous complications. Genital herpes in women increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the reproductive organs. Against the background of diseases, difficulties with fertilization and successful bearing of a child are sometimes observed.
Forms of the disease
There are many classification schemes for a disease such as genital herpes. If we consider the features of the clinical picture, then we can distinguish several varieties:
- Primary herpes is the first episode of the disease after infection of the body. The skin and mucous membranes, which became the gateway to the pathogen, swell, redden, itching and rash appear. The first outbreak is often accompanied by chills, fever, and body aches.
- All other episodes of skin lesions are called relapsing, because, as already mentioned, genital herpes is a chronic disease. With a mild form, exacerbations are recorded no more than three times a year. If episodes of inflammation occur 4-6 times a year, then doctors make a diagnosis of moderate herpes. In severe cases, the patient has to face the appearance of rashes and other unpleasant symptoms almost every month. Relapse development is observed against a background of hypothermia, severe stress, physical overwork, and a cold.
- Quite often, in modern medical practice, cases of atypical forms of genital herpes are recorded. In this case, characteristic symptoms are absent, the clinical picture is erased. Against the background of infection activation, patients develop cystitis, colpitis, urethritis, prostatitis and other inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system. The presence of herpes can only be confirmed through laboratory tests.
Is the disease dangerous during pregnancy?
In most cases, the infection does not pose a particular threat, with the exception of those cases when the initial outbreak of the disease occurred precisely during gestation. In such cases, the patient needs appropriate therapy.
Genital herpes during pregnancy increases the likelihood of spontaneous miscarriage and premature birth. Sometimes the infection penetrates the placenta into the fetal tissue, causing various disorders in the development of the nervous system. Such cases are rarely recorded, but the likelihood of complications still cannot be ruled out.
Herpes in newborns
Genital herpes for a newborn baby can be very dangerous. To begin with, it is worth noting that infection, as a rule, occurs after the rupture of the membranes or during the passage of the baby through the birth canal.
In most cases, the herpes simplex virus affects the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, as well as the eyes and respiratory tract. In the future, the infection spreads throughout the body.
What is genital herpes dangerous? Under certain conditions, activation of the infection can lead to the development of meningoencephalitis. The disease also affects the development of visual analyzers - conjunctivitis, inflammation of the retina and choroid, and clouding of the lens are diagnosed in newborns. Occasionally, a generalization of infection occurs - the virus affects all organ systems, which is accompanied by the appearance of fever, bleeding, jaundice, vomiting, respiratory system disorders, and shock.
Diagnostic measures
The diagnostic process is extremely important, because the effectiveness of the treatment of genital herpes largely depends on this. If you have the above symptoms, you should consult a venereologist. An experienced specialist will get acquainted with the patient’s complaints, examine his medical data, and conduct an external examination. Herpetic rash is very characteristic, but additional studies are needed:
- Informative are laboratory diagnostic methods. Materials for research are taken by scraping from the cervix and vagina, smear from the urethra. In laboratory conditions, it is possible to grow the culture of the pathogen, determine its nature and origin (sometimes an electron microscope is used for this), and conduct sensitivity to a particular drug.
- Other tests for genital herpes are also being conducted. The fact is that after infection, the human body begins to produce specific antibodies. In laboratory conditions, the patient’s blood can be checked for the presence of certain immunoglobulins. Thus, the disease can be diagnosed even with an asymptomatic course.
- The polymerase chain reaction helps to determine the presence of the virus’s genetic material in the patient’s blood.
If certain complications occur (for example, the infection spreads to the uterus, appendages, prostate gland, kidneys), then the patient is sent for additional instrumental examinations, in particular ultrasound.
Modern treatments
As already mentioned, today there is no effective treatment for genital herpes that could completely cope with the infection: viral particles remain in the human nerve tissue forever.
Nevertheless, correctly selected and conducted therapy helps to cope with the main symptoms, prevent the development of complications, and reduce the number of relapses.
First of all, patients are prescribed antiviral tablets for genital herpes. The most effective drug today is Acyclovir (its analogue is Zovirax). The dosage of the medicine is determined individually. Therapy in most cases lasts about 10 days. By the way, if necessary, this tool can be replaced with new generation drugs, which contain valaciclovir (the most effective are Virdel, Valvir, Vairova).
In addition, ointments for processing the external integument are included in the treatment regimen - they help to quickly get rid of the rash, accelerate the process of tissue regeneration. In modern medical practice, the most commonly used drugs are Alpizarin, Tebrofen, Bonafton, Oxolin, Foscarnet, Acyclovir (this product is also available in the form of a transparent gel). As a rule, doctors recommend treating affected skin several times a day for seven days.
In the past few years, doctors have increasingly begun to use interferons and interferon inducers. These substances help the body cope with the infection, strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of relapse in the future. Today, such drugs as Amiksin, Giaferon, Imunofan, Cycloferon, and Groprinosin are widely used. Medicines are available in the form of tablets, as well as ointments / gels for external use. The drug "Viferon" is also made in the form of rectal suppositories - it is often included in the complex therapy regimen for genital herpes.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers a lot of tools that can cope with a disease such as genital herpes. The reviews of patients and doctors indicate that home remedies sometimes help reduce the intensity of certain symptoms and relieve discomfort.
- A mixture of calendula, birch leaves and plantain is considered useful (they must be taken in equal quantities). Two tablespoons of dry raw materials need to pour 500 ml of boiling water and keep in a water bath for 10 minutes. Then you need to cover the container and insist for two hours. The resulting broth is added to the water for sitz baths. Daily procedures help relieve inflammation, eliminate discomfort and pain.
- Good anti-inflammatory properties have flowers of medicinal chamomile - a decoction from this plant can also be used for baths, washings.
- Strengthening the immune system and coping with the inflammatory process from the inside will also help herbal decoction. To prepare the medicine, you will need chamomile flowers, thyme and motherwort herb, raspberry leaves, lemon balm herb and juniper fruit (two tablespoons of each component). To the mixture add a tablespoon of herb wormwood, St. John's wort and motherwort. All ingredients must be mixed thoroughly. To prepare the medicine, two tablespoons of the collection are poured with two glasses of boiling water, insisted for an hour and filtered. Herbalists recommend drinking 100 ml of broth four times a day. The full course of treatment lasts two weeks.
- Some experts recommend adding tea tree oil (a few drops) to the bathing or washing water. It is an excellent natural antiseptic that also has anti-inflammatory properties.
- To treat genital skin, you can use lavender oil or pharmacy chamomile oil (it can be mixed with regular cream, olive or any other vegetable oil). This procedure, as evidenced by the reviews, helps to cope with pain, burning and annoying itching.
Of course, it is not worth using such products on your own, even despite their natural composition. Before starting home therapy, you must consult your doctor. Decoctions of herbs and vegetable oils can only be used as adjuvants - in no case should you refuse full-fledged drug therapy, since progressive, often recurring herpes can lead to the development of very unpleasant complications.
Preventive actions
Is there any way to prevent the development of a disease such as genital herpes? What to do in order to protect yourself?
Risk factors include promiscuous sex life. If sexual contact still occurs, then do not forget about condoms. In addition, the mucous membranes and skin must be treated with an antiviral agent (for example, Miramistin). Unfortunately, even all the precautions cannot guarantee full protection, since you can catch the virus even during a kiss.
Relapses of the disease occur, as a rule, against the background of a decrease in immune defense. That is why stabbing, proper nutrition, physical activity, taking vitamins, in a word, everything that can enhance the body's defense, are so important.
If we are talking about an infected pregnant woman, then the doctor is better to find out about the patient's presence of herpes at the planning stage of pregnancy. Caesarean section is recommended for expectant mothers - the procedure reduces the likelihood of infection of the fetus. If for one reason or another the operation cannot be performed, then in the third trimester women undergo special antiviral therapy.