Herpes is a viral pathology in which blisters appear on the mucous membranes and skin, prone to grouping. Is the herpes virus contagious? Of course, yes, and the carriers do not always have a clinical picture of the disease, so it is impossible to recognize the virus carrier.
What it is
This is a very common viral disease, its causative agent is the herpes simplex virus. It must be said that 90% of the world's population is infected with this virus, but not all have the disease accompanied by accompanying symptoms. Only 5% of people suffer from the symptoms of the disease, all the others have no clinical consequences.
Most often, the virus affects:
- skin
- eyes;
- mucous membranes;
- central nervous system.
But the most common place for its localization is the corners of the lips and the mucous membranes of the genitals.
Whether herpes is contagious and how to avoid infection is a topic that will be discussed later.
Types of virus
HSV-1 is a type that combines the serotypes of the first and second virus. This is the most common type, the infection of which most often occurs in the first few years of a person's life. Localization: lips and nasolabial triangle. However, with low immunity, the virus can affect:
- genital mucosa;
- skin of fingers and toes;
- nerve tissue.
HSV-2 is a genital or anogenital type. Is genital herpes contagious? Yes, it is contagious, and infection occurs with the onset of puberty, with women becoming infected more often.
HSV-3 - herpes zoster, which in childhood provokes chickenpox. After the disease, a stable immunity appears in this type of virus.
HSV-4 - most often observed in people with immunodeficiency, affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, pharynx and lymph nodes.
HSV-5 - cytomegalovirus. The clinical picture, the presence of this type of virus is rarely accompanied, more often the disease occurs in a sluggish form of the virus carrier.
HSV-6 - provokes the development of multiple sclerosis.
HSV-7 is the cause of chronic fatigue and cancer of the lymphoid tissue.
HSV-8 - causes a number of malignant diseases.
Since the first three types of the virus are more common, you need to consider them in more detail to find out how herpes of these types is contagious.
Herpes simplex
As a rule, an infectious agent penetrates the human body through the skin or mucous membranes. Perhaps this is in contact with the virus, and airborne infection is not excluded. Once in the human body, the virus invades the blood, lymphatic system, affects nerve fibers and internal organs. For a long time, it can exist in a latent state, and with a decrease in immune defense is activated.
Is herpes on the lips contagious for a child? Of course, a child, being in close contact with the virus carrier can become infected. In addition, the virus can be transmitted from an infected mother to a baby in utero, as well as during lactation. An exacerbation of the infection in the mother during this period is explained by the fact that pregnancy and lactation significantly reduce the defenses of the woman’s body, as a result of which the virus is activated.
Herpes on the genitals
Is genital herpes contagious? It is contagious, and condoms in this case cannot 100% prevent infection. The fact is that this type of virus infects the mucous membranes, and they are not completely covered by a product of barrier contraception. You can become infected with genital herpes not only with direct sexual contact, but also with intimate caresses.
Tinea view
Is herpes contagious to others? Contagious, this type of herpes is also the causative agent of two ailments: herpes zoster and chicken pox. If the pathological process affects the autonomic nervous system, meningoencephalitis develops. However, if a person has had chickenpox, re-infection with the virus is excluded, and only the activation of one's own virus can be a danger.
Is herpes contagious on the back? If vesicles with liquid contents appear in the back, these are manifestations of shingles, it is dangerous for those who have not had chickenpox. However, the disease can manifest itself in people who are immune to this type of virus, this is possible with a decrease in immune defense.
Is herpes zoster contagious for a child? If he has not yet had chickenpox, infection can occur, but in this case, the child will get chickenpox, and not shingles. Herpes zoster is transmitted through the placental barrier from mother to fetus.
Is a person who has no rashes contagious?
Do not think that herpes can be transmitted from the carrier only when it has signs of a disease, that is, a rash. The virus carrier may not have symptoms of infection, and in appearance it is impossible to determine whether it is a virus carrier or not.
Is herpes contagious without a clinical picture? It is contagious, but if the human body is strong and the protective functions work without failures, infection may not occur, since the immune system will repulse viral agents. But in this case, it is necessary to observe safety measures and personal hygiene rules.
Herpes in babies
Is herpes contagious in a child? Children are infected with this virus more often than adults. Even if parents and close relatives do not have herpes, the baby will certainly encounter a carrier of the virus. When a child goes to kindergarten, he may well get herpes from other children and bring him home. Most often, the baby in children's groups is infected with chickenpox, which provokes herpes zoster. You should not protect the child from infection - having had chickenpox in early childhood, he will not become infected with it anymore. At this age, chickenpox is much easier than in adults, the main thing is to ensure that there are no complications.
Therefore, parents who are worried about whether herpes is infected in a child who plays with their baby should say: yes, your child can become infected, but this will allow him to gain lifelong immunity to this type of virus.
And how long is herpes on the lips and genitals contagious?
As already mentioned, even without rashes, the virus carrier poses a threat to others, however, in the acute phase, infection is more possible.
How long does the incubation period last? It depends on the immunity of the virus carrier. But, as a rule, after a week the affected skin area is covered with a dense crust, and the liquid, which, in fact, represents the greatest danger, stops oozing from the wound. At this time, the possibility of infection is sharply reduced, but safety precautions need to be followed for another 30 days, then with normal virus immunity you can no longer be afraid.
Transmission ways
Summing up, we must once again say about all the ways of transmitting herpes.
Type 1 virus:
- contact - hands, saliva, serous discharge from rashes;
- household - dishes, toys, personal hygiene items;
- airborne - kisses, coughing, sneezing;
- vertical - the virus is transmitted to the baby during its passage through the birth canal of an infected mother;
- transplacental - infection occurs in utero;
- blood transfusion - during a blood transfusion;
- sexual - during oral sex.
Type 2 virus:
- blood transfusion;
- sexual - sexual contacts (oral, anal, vaginal);
- violation of aseptic rules during medical procedures.
At risk are people who have:
- ARVI;
- hypothermia;
- injuries
- menstruation;
- stressful situation;
- oncological disease;
- exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
- avitaminosis;
- immunodeficiency.
Also, people undergoing immunosuppressive therapy (taking chemotherapy or cytostatics) have a high risk of infection.
Possible complications
What can cause herpesvirus infection in the body?
- Genital herpes leads to the development of erosion in the genital organs of a woman, and can also cause miscarriages, infertility and oncological processes.
- In men, genital herpes can provoke the development of prostatitis, bacterial urethritis or vesiculitis,
- When the virus enters the mucous membrane of the eye, ophthalmic herpes can develop, which leads to complete or partial loss of vision,
- If the pathogen enters the oral cavity, it will certainly penetrate the digestive system, which is why development of pathological processes in the digestive tract is possible.
- Infection of a newborn can lead to heart disease, hearing problems, hepatitis, and if ailments become complicated, then a fatal outcome is possible.
- Herpes in pregnant women can lead to the birth of a child with poor hearing, with mental disabilities, with epilepsy, with developmental retardation.
Treatment principles
Unfortunately, at present, there is no vaccine or pill that would permanently rid a person of this insidious virus. Once in the body, the pathogen remains in it forever. But there are drugs that help reduce the risk of activating a viral infection, they allow you to keep it in a latent phase of existence for a long time.
Since there are many types of virus and they can be localized in different parts of the skin and mucosa, there are many treatment options. A competent specialist should prescribe therapy, taking into account not only the type of virus, but also the age of the patient, the brightness of the clinical picture, the frequency of relapses and the general state of immunity.
Prevention
For people who are carriers of herpesvirus infection, doctors recommend vaccination to increase immunity. Vaccination can be carried out only during the period of remission, that is, after the last rashes, at least two weeks should pass.
Antiviral drugs - this is another method of prevention, most often prescribed "Acyclovir", "Famciclovir", "Penciclovir".
Prevention of virus infection is as follows:
- To minimize communication with a person who has a rash.
- Exclude accidental sex, even if you use a condom. To prevent infection, you can use special antiviral sprays, which must be used to treat the mucous membranes of the genitals after accidental sexual intercourse.
- When visiting a public toilet, do not sit on the toilet seat.
- Exclude overheating or hypothermia of the body.
- Reduce stress.
- In time to treat acute and chronic diseases.
It is imperative to strengthen the immune system. Bad habits, poor nutrition, lack of rest - all this can worsen the body's defense, which will lead to infection by the virus or to the activation of an existing one. Immunity can weaken with incorrect operation of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with prolonged use of medications, especially antibiotics.
There are many methods that will help reduce the risks of infection with the herpes virus. Sticking to them is actually not so difficult as it seems at first glance. Maintaining immunity and observing the rules of hygiene, it is possible to avoid infection with herpes, and it is also possible for a long time to restrain the activity of the virus, if it is already in the body.