Such a nuisance as herpes has been known to many since childhood. These are ugly rashes that appear most often near the lips. In fact, herpes is a viral infection that is not at all harmless, as many people think. This is a disease that is caused by herpes viruses of the 1st and 2nd types. An ailment manifests itself in the form of several bubbles with liquid contents, which are grouped in one place. Not only lips can act as foci of infection. Herpes also appears on the mucous membrane of the nose, mouth and genitals.
Symptomatology
In most cases, primary infection can occur without visible symptoms. Diagnosis of herpesvirus infection can take place only after the appearance of external signs of the disease. During an exacerbation period, some people have a fever, lethargy, and sleep disturbance. In addition, lymph nodes may be enlarged.
A classic symptom of herpes is the appearance of a watery rash. The localization of rashes depends on the type of virus. Most often, as you know, herpes virus infection occurs on the lips. Symptoms of this kind indicate infection with type 1 virus. Herpes simplex virus type 2 is most often localized on the genital mucosa. Inflammation appears in the form of small watery pimples. A few days after the formation of the rash, pimples burst, forming erosion. Open wounds dry and crust. Most often, no traces of rashes remain at all.
Herpesvirus infection is characterized by itching and pain at the site of inflammation. If the rash appears on the oral mucosa, it becomes difficult for the patient to chew. In the period of exacerbation, you have to eat well-ground food.
With primary infection, the incubation period can last from 2 to 7 days. Chronic herpes virus infection is not transmitted by airborne droplets.
How can I get infected?
Genital herpes can only be transmitted sexually. Moreover, the infected partner most often does not even suspect that he has a disease. Indeed, some people only carry a herpes virus infection. A healthy lifestyle and a strong immune system do their job. In carriers of infection, rashes may not appear at all.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 can be transmitted through saliva, bedding and personal items of the infected person. A sick mother can infect a baby during childbirth. However, herpesvirus infection in children will not occur until a certain age.
The likelihood of infection during a blood transfusion, organ transplant, or during normal contact with the patient’s mucosa increases. But infection can occur only if the disease is in an acute stage.
Today, herpes virus infection is present in 90% of the world's population. But the manifestations worry only 20%. The rest are only carriers of the disease and do not even suspect about it.
Causes of inflammation
Most often, the virus is in an inactive state in the body. Some factors can trigger an infection. The result is a painful inflammation. Most often, the cause of the appearance of herpes can be a decrease in immunity. Rashes form after hypothermia or a recent cold illness. Herpesvirus infection in children may occur after vaccination. Various medical manipulations often contribute to the awakening of the virus. In women, rashes often occur after abortions and the introduction of an intrauterine device.
Psychological factors also contribute to the development of the disease. Herpes on the lips may appear after stress. It is noticed that frequent scandals in the family also contribute to the awakening of the virus.
A serious factor is hormonal changes in the body. In children, problems often begin during puberty. Women at risk also fall during pregnancy.
The main types of herpes
Herpesvirus infection is divided into several types, depending on the location and mode of distribution. Infection of the first type most often manifests itself on the lips, mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. This species is by far the most common. Quite often, such rashes are confused with a cold. This is due to the fact that the disease begins to manifest itself after hypothermia or during exacerbations of seasonal epidemics.
A simple virus of the second type is genital herpes. It can be transmitted sexually or through blood. A person who has erratic sexual relationships can spread the disease before he even has the first symptoms. And if the carrier of the virus is a pregnant woman, the probability of infection of the baby during childbirth is 95%.
Few people know, but shingles and chickenpox are also herpesvirus infections. The disease is much easier in preschool children. Most babies do not experience any discomfort at all. And chickenpox in adults can occur with fever and many complications. A feature of this type of virus is the possibility of its exacerbation only once in a lifetime. Chickenpox cannot be ill several times.
Mononucleosis
This type of herpes virus infection has symptoms that are not similar to the previous ones. Mononucleosis settles in the respiratory tract and is transmitted by airborne droplets. Most often the disease affects children living in multi-storey buildings. The disease has symptoms similar to normal flu. Therefore, it is quite difficult to diagnose it.
Human herpesvirus infections of this type have several forms of manifestation. The most common option is ARVI. In this case, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract suffers. The most difficult is the generalized form of the disease. Herpes virus infection can settle on the internal organs. At the same time, treatment will take a sufficiently long period. In addition, there is the possibility of serious complications, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and an external rash.
Herpes 6, 7 and 8 types
The origin of the infection of the sixth, seventh and eighth types is not yet fully understood to date. Scientists were able to establish that type 6 herpes virus infection most often manifests itself in external symptoms. This is a sudden rash throughout the body, fever, dizziness, chronic fatigue.
There is an opinion that herpes of the seventh and eighth types is dangerous not only by external manifestations, but also by psychological disorders. So, this infection can provoke the development of schizophrenia.
Diagnosis of the disease at an early stage
To get rid of the disease even before it begins to manifest itself as unpleasant symptoms, you should consult a doctor for a preventive examination. You may need to consult an infectious disease specialist as well as a gynecologist. Specialists will not only conduct a visual inspection, but also conduct a series of analyzes. If herpes virus infection is detected in a timely manner, treatment will not take much time.
The examination begins with a general blood and urine test. If the infection is in the acute phase, these two tests will be enough to identify the ailment. A number of clinical tests in the laboratory help not only to determine the presence of infection, but also to determine its type. Additionally, a specialist can take a scraping of the mucous membrane.
If parents have such a disease, then most likely, a herpes virus infection will occur in children. Symptoms are a reason for conducting an extensive diagnosis. It is especially necessary to do this immediately after birth if the woman is a carrier of the virus.
Herpesvirus infection treatment
Modern science has not yet developed drugs that could completely rid humanity of herpes. Most often, a persistent herpes virus infection is treatable, that is, one that has visible manifestations. It is possible to remove the symptoms of the disease as soon as possible. The patient can only take medications for prevention and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Of particular note is the treatment of herpes virus infection in children. Many drugs have aggressive components and cannot be prescribed to babies under six years old. The main emphasis is on immunotherapy. It is not possible to completely kill the herpes virus in the child's body. But to suppress it is quite real. Properly selected therapy will save the child from unpleasant symptoms.
Treatment of herpes in adults begins with the selection of appropriate antiviral drugs. Effective effects are possessed by such drugs as Foscarnet and Acyclovir. They are able not only to suppress the action of the virus, but also to strengthen the body's immune system. Antimicrobials may be prescribed by your doctor. They are needed in order to prevent the development of pathogens in the focus of inflammation.
Therapeutic measures culminate in the elimination of complications of the disease. Special gels and ointments contribute to the rapid healing of erosion and do not allow the inflammatory process to develop further.
All drugs are selected strictly individually and are prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication will not only not give good results, but will also contribute to the development of complications. The specialist will be able to choose the right therapy based on the individual characteristics of the body of a particular person, as well as the type of herpes virus.
Popular drugs
The most common treatment for herpesvirus type 1 infection is Acyclovir. The medicine can be offered in the pharmacy in the form of ointments, capsules and powder for the preparation of the solution. The ointment is quite effective when the focus of inflammation has just appeared. "Acyclovir" quickly dries herpes. The entire healing process can take up to 5 days.
Cycloferon is another effective drug that fights various types of herpesvirus infection. In many pharmacies, the drug is offered in the form of drops, as well as a solution for injection. The dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the characteristics of the patient's body and the stage of the disease. The drug is contraindicated in children, as well as women during pregnancy and lactation.
Consequences and Complications
In most cases, the disease proceeds without complications and has no consequences. The appearance of small cosmetic flaws can provoke herpesvirus infection in children. Almost every pediatrician has photos of small patients who have had chickenpox. On them you can see small scars on the body and face of babies. Such consequences appear only if the child combs the focus of inflammation.
Problems can occur in people with reduced immunity. An unpleasant disease is ophthalmic herpes. This is an ailment that is provoked by the herpes type 1 virus. If you do not seek medical help in a timely manner, a herpesvirus infection will reach a serious scale. Symptoms will begin to appear not only on the lips, but also on the mucous membrane of the eye. The disease is accompanied by severe itching and pain in the eyes. It becomes difficult for the patient to look at the light, eyesight may deteriorate. Lack of proper treatment can even lead to complete blindness.
The most serious consequence of herpesvirus infection can be brain damage - encephalitis. In rare cases, the dura mater is inflamed, and meningitis develops. Such complications are accompanied by dizziness, severe pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness. Such a condition is dangerous fatal.
Herpes and pregnancy
During the period of bearing a child, a woman's immunity is significantly reduced. This leads to an exacerbation of herpes virus infection, which was previously not active in the body. Women may experience more extensive rashes that will require local treatment. At this time, drugs with a mild effect should be used. It should be remembered that all drugs affect not only the woman, but also the fetus.
Primary infection with herpes during pregnancy is fraught with miscarriage or premature birth. In the future, herpesvirus infection in children may also occur . Symptoms in a newborn may not be immediately noticeable. Therefore, it is important to conduct timely diagnosis of the disease.
In rare cases, infection with herpes during pregnancy can lead to the birth of a dead fetus. A child with multiple lesions of internal organs may appear. Therefore, women should treat their health with special attention. Any suspicious symptoms should be reported immediately to an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Prevention
Almost everyone today is infected with herpes type 1 virus. With it, you can perfectly exist and not have unpleasant symptoms in the form of rashes. Inflammation can develop only when immunity decreases. Therefore, you should lead a healthy lifestyle, sleep more, forget about bad habits.
Most often, herpesvirus infection begins to manifest itself during an exacerbation of seasonal diseases. During this period, you can start taking multivitamin preparations. It will be useful to include foods rich in vitamin C in the daily diet. In the cold season, hypothermia and overwork should be avoided.
Of particular note is genital herpes. In order to avoid its development, it is necessary to give preference to barrier methods of contraception. Condom perfectly protects not only from unwanted pregnancy, but also from numerous infections that are transmitted sexually. If unprotected sexual intercourse still took place, you must use an antiseptic local action.