Chronic herpes is one of the most common viral diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. It is impossible to completely get rid of this virus. But there are effective ways to deal with it. A number of available cold sore medications can help alleviate unpleasant symptoms and reduce relapse.
Herpes: the course of the disease
The herpes simplex virus is widespread throughout the world. Herpes infection is most often caused by contact with a change (follicle, stigma) or secretion from the affected mucous membranes or skin. The HSV virus can be infected from a person who has an asymptomatic phase of the disease.
The herpes simplex virus is divided into:
- The primary form of infection is when the carrier of the virus infects a healthy person).
- Chronic herpes - when the virus is found in the body in a latent form. Infection can affect the nasopharyngeal cavity, genitals, eyes, and skin. In some cases, the virus can invade the central nervous system, causing severe inflammation of the brain and meninges.
The most dangerous is a viral infection in people:
- with immunodeficiency (e.g. AIDS patients);
- immunosuppressed (cancer patients);
- newborns.
A characteristic symptom of the disease is changes in the form of painful blisters that burst, leaving a ulcerative wound.
The incubation period of the disease, i.e. the time from infection to the development of the first symptoms, in the case of herpes, is on average 2-7 days. After this time, characteristic vesicles filled with serous fluid and tending to accumulate may appear on the skin and mucous membrane. Then the bubbles burst, forming erosion, usually covered with scabs or superficial ulcers. Infection may be accompanied by common symptoms, such as fever, weakness, headache, swollen local lymph nodes. With a primary infection, changes usually last 14-21 days, and in the case of recurrent chronic herpes, more mild symptoms are observed, they last 7-10 days.
Herpes virus infection: symptoms
In the case of most primary infections, usually no symptoms of the disease occur, but there are acute infections.
Inflammation in the nasopharyngeal cavity in children can manifest as follows:
- inflammation of the mouth and / or throat;
- vesicles on the mucous membranes of the mouth and gums;
- gum pain and bleeding;
- heat;
- expansion of local lymph nodes.
In adults, the primary infection is characterized by inflammation of the throat and tonsils.
Primary infections in the genital area can sometimes lead to an acute condition, especially in women. Observed:
- genital pain and redness;
- swelling of the mucous membranes;
- painful urination;
- genital secretion;
- expansion of the inguinal lymph nodes;
- vesicles on the surface of the genital mucosa;
- fever and malaise.
Primary eye infections include:
- swelling of the eyes;
- itchy eyes;
- blisters on the eyelids and slight erosion on the conjunctiva.
Primary skin infections can include changes in any part of the body; in rare cases, they can be spread throughout the body.
Primary infection in infants can be divided due to clinical symptoms into 3 groups:
- infections in which children experience changes in the skin, mucous membranes of the mouth and in the eyes;
- infections with symptoms of encephalitis and without skin lesions or with one;
- polyorganic infections.
Chronic herpes virus
In the case of reactivation of a latent infection, the symptoms are as follows:
- Re-infection of the nasopharyngeal cavity occurs as damage to the border of the skin of the mucous membrane, on the lips of the mouth. Initially, itching is felt, then a painful bladder appears, which bursts, leaving a long healing wound.
- Chronic genital herpes is usually manifested by one or more follicles in the genital area (in the vulva, vagina, cervix, urethra, penis) or in the rectum and around the anus. After rupture of the bladder, an ulcer remains that heals within two to four weeks. As a rule, reactivation of infection occurs a few weeks or months after the primary infection, but almost always has a milder course and is shorter than the primary infection.
- Chronic herpes of the eye is characterized by the same symptoms as in the case of primary infection.
- Infection of the brain and meninges can be the result of primary and latent infections caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2. The disease is characterized by a sudden onset, starting with nonspecific symptoms such as fever and headaches. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms intensify, leading to impaired behavior and consciousness, fainting, and coma. The onset of symptoms of inflammation of the central nervous system requires immediate medical attention.
Types of Herpes Virus
Today, about 130 herpes viruses have been identified, including 9 isolated from the human body. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) belongs to the Herpesviride family. There are two types of this virus:
- HSV-1 is also called herpes labialis, which most often causes infections in the nasopharyngeal cavity, on the face, eye, less commonly central nervous system infections and infections in newborns.
- HSV-2 - called genital herpes, which mainly causes genital herpes, an infection of the central nervous system and infections in newborns.
Herpes: infection
HSV-1 infection is most often caused by direct contact - a drop, a kiss or contact with skin lesions, but also by indirect factors - contaminated skin of the hands of a person infected with the virus. HSV-2 virus is usually transmitted through sexual contact.
Autoinfection cases are also known when the virus is transferred from the skin of the hands to the eyes or genitals. The incubation period averages 3-7 days.
HSV virus penetrates into epithelial cells due to special receptors. After entering the host cells, the virus multiplies and activates an inflammatory response. Replication (reproduction) of the virus and the inflammatory response cause destruction and death of infected cells. After the initial infection, the virus travels through the nerve cells, is located in the ganglia of the nerves and reactivates in response to factors such as weak immunity, menstruation, trauma, etc.
Herpes can be not only the cause of repeated painful ulcers, but, unfortunately, the consequences of the disease can be much more serious. It has been discovered that chronic herpes can play an important role in the spread of AIDS. People with genital ulcers are more susceptible to HIV infection.
HSV infection and pregnancy
Infection of the genital tract of HSV in pregnant women can lead to a potentially fatal infection in newborns. Therefore, it is important to prevent the infection of women expecting a baby. A newly acquired infection during late pregnancy is the highest risk of transmitting the disease to the baby (30-40%), while in the case of latent infection in the mother, the risk is only 3-4%. If a woman has an active genital infection, it is usually recommended to give birth by caesarean section. Fortunately, newborn infections are very rare. The consequences of infection during any pregnancy can lead to very serious pathological changes in the child (including miscarriage or premature birth):
- congenital defects of the central nervous system;
- extensive skin changes;
- eye infection
- inflammation of the liver, brain, lungs;
- lethargy;
- death of a child (mortality 50%);
- persistent neurological disorders (about 50% of children).
It has also been discovered that chronic herpes can contribute to the development of cervical cancer.
Herpes Risk Factors
The main source of infection is contact with a sick person, especially in the active phase of the disease. In the case of genital herpes, the surest way to avoid infection is to abstain from sexual contact or to have a relationship with a regular partner.
The main factors that increase the risk of primary herpes simplex infection are:
- early onset of sex life;
- partner HSV infection;
- risky sexual behavior, that is, a large number of sexual partners;
- homosexuality;
- the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases;
- neglect of condom use;
- poor personal hygiene;
- abnormal vaginal flora (low content of lactic acid bacteria);
- smoking.
HSV-2 is also affected by factors such as
- sexual contact is more common and easier in women than in men;
- age - the infection is most often found in people aged 18-30 years;
- socio-economic status and related access to basic health care.
Factors contributing to the reactivation of the herpes virus:
- chronic fatigue;
- stress;
- fever;
- bacterial infections;
- menstruation;
- UV radiation
- immunosuppression;
- injuries and wounds (burns, cosmetic procedures such as depilation and dermabrasion, irritation with chemicals or cosmetics caused by sexual intercourse).
How to treat herpes?
Treatment of chronic herpes is difficult, as there are no drugs that can completely remove this virus from the body. The use of antiviral drugs aims to alleviate and reduce the duration of the symptoms of the disease and reduce the likelihood of infection by third parties. Herpes treatment depends on the affected area.
- In case of chronic herpes on the lips and skin lesions, ointments containing acyclovir are used. The drug should begin to be used as early as possible and relatively often lubricate the affected area with it.
- For genital infections, "Acyclovir" is used in tablets for oral administration, usually 5 times a day for 5 days.
- In severe infections of the central nervous system and newborns, inpatient treatment is used, where the drug is administered intravenously for 2-3 weeks.
Herpes - how to prevent it?
There are currently no vaccines against the HSV virus.
The surest way to prevent the disease:
- avoidance of contact (kisses, sexual contacts) with a person in the active phase of the disease;
- compliance with personal hygiene;
- consistent and proper use of a condom,
- avoiding risky sexual behavior;
- avoidance of excessive UV exposure (sunbathing).
Pregnant women should avoid contact with this disease, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy.
The best way to prevent a chronic herpes infection:
- stress avoidance;
- personal hygiene;
- healthy eating
- care for good immunity.
Home Remedies for Herpes
There are many home remedies for herpes. Among these methods are compresses and wraps of the sore spot with garlic, onions, lemon juice, aloe juice, tea tree oil, St. John's wort, and basil.
The effectiveness of these methods is debatable, and assessing their effect on herpes is a rather subjective question.