Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 are the most common types of herpes infection. The peculiarity of herpes simplex is that it can remain secretively in the body for a long time. The infection begins to manifest itself with impaired immune system.
How does infection happen?
The source of herpes virus is people infected with HSV. In an infected person, urine, vesicle contents, erosion, ulcers, nasopharyngeal mucus, conjunctival secretions, tears, menstrual blood, amniotic fluid, vaginal and cervical secretions, sperm - may contain the virus. Its localization depends on the route of infection.
HSV transmission mechanisms:
• the infection is transmitted by contact-household means (through contaminated dishes, toys, underwear, etc.);
• the virus is transmitted through sexual contact and through saliva (kisses);
• During childbirth, the virus is transmitted from mother to baby.
Type 1 virus
HSV type 1 - oral (oral) or labial herpes. Infection, as a rule, occurs in the first years of life. Type 1 mainly affects the lips and nasolabial triangle. But depending on the functioning of the immune system and the area of contact of the virus with the body, herpes can appear on:
• the skin of the fingers and toes (mainly the nail roller of the fingers);
• mucous membrane of the genitals, oral, nasal cavity and eyes;
• tissues of the nervous system.
Herpes type 2
HSV type 2 - anogenital (affects the area of the anus and genitalia) or genital. Usually, infection occurs through sexual contact. Characteristic signs of the disease:
• according to statistics, infection most often occurs during puberty;
• women are infected with type 2 herpes much more often than men;
• antibodies in the body to herpes simplex virus type 1 do not prevent infection with type 2 virus;
• signs of skin lesions of the genital area (perineum, anus, lower limbs, buttocks);
• an asymptomatic or atypical course of type 2 virus occurs in 70% of cases;
• Type 2 virus is characterized by relapses of manifestations;
• HSV - an infection that provokes the process of malignant degeneration: in women - tissue of the cervix, in men - prostate gland;
• herpes is accompanied by gynecological diseases and leads to impaired reproductive function.
Herpes virus: symptoms and types of diseases
1. Herpetic infection of the oral cavity:
• inflammatory processes appear (gingivitis, stomatitis, pharyngitis);
• the disease is accompanied by high fever and an increase in lymph nodes in the neck;
• the patient suffers from malaise and muscle pain;
• pain when swallowing food;
• rashes can form on the gums, tongue, lips and face;
• in some cases, lesions of the tonsils develop;
• the duration of the disease is from 3 to 14 days.
The severity of the course of the disease is directly dependent on the state of the immune system.
2. The defeat of the genital tract by the herpes virus. Symptoms
• fever;
• headache;
• painful condition;
• pain in the muscles;
• itching;
• difficulties with urination;
• discharge from the vagina and urethra;
• enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the groin area;
• characteristic skin rashes in the external genital area.
In some cases, a rash appears in the anus. In this case, the patient is concerned about constipation, pain in the anus, sexual impotence.
3. Herpetic felon - a lesion of the soft tissues of the finger, in most cases found among medical professionals. Symptoms
• finger swells, blushes;
• pain on palpation is felt;
• a characteristic rash appears;
• sometimes the disease is accompanied by high body temperature;
• lymph nodes become inflamed.
4. Sometimes the herpes virus also affects the internal organs. Symptoms of damage to internal organs:
• violations when swallowing;
• pain behind the sternum;
• pneumonia: it is difficult in case of bacterial and fungal infection;
• hepatitis is complicated by an increase in body temperature, the level of bilirubin and transaminases in the blood increases, DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) may develop;
• arthritis;
• adrenal necrosis, etc.
Lesions of internal organs with a herpes infection are most often found in people with immunodeficiency.
5. Herpes virus infection of the eyes :
• eye pain appears;
• conjunctival edema;
• visual impairment.
If the herpes virus damages the eyes, visual impairment or complete blindness may develop.
6. Herpetic attack of the nervous system :
• herpetic encephalitis: fever, the development of mental and neurological disorders;
• herpetic meningitis can be a complication of genital herpes, signs are pronounced: headache, fever, photophobia;
• lesions of the autonomic nervous system: the patient feels numb and tingling in the buttocks, has difficulty urinating, constipation, impotence appear.
The disease affects the nervous system in people with immunodeficiency.
7. Herpesvirus in newborns attacks the internal organs, central nervous system and eyes. In most cases, skin rashes appear already in the late stages of the disease. Therefore, if a child does not have a herpes rash, this does not mean that he is not sick with herpes.
Herpes simplex during pregnancy
Herpes is very dangerous for a pregnant woman. During this period, the body is most susceptible to various infections due to toxicosis, hormonal changes, etc. During pregnancy, the presence of herpes infection can provoke irreversible processes that are extremely dangerous for the fetus.
HSV during pregnancy (type 1):
• If during the planning period of pregnancy in a woman during the study, protective antibodies to herpes were not found in the blood, the onset of pregnancy is undesirable.
• Even if a woman has antibodies to herpes type 1 in her blood, they do not prevent herpes simplex infection.
• Infection crosses the placenta and affects the fetal nervous tissue.
• If infection with herpes occurred in the first half of pregnancy, then the likelihood of developing deformity in the fetus, both compatible and incompatible with life, increases.
• If the virus enters the body in the last stages, then the baby will be infected during childbirth, through passage through the birth canal.
Herpes virus type 2:
• increases the risk of miscarriage;
• causes uterine polyhydramnios;
• increases the risk of miscarriage.
Herpes Simplex Virus Complications During Pregnancy
• Frozen pregnancy.
• Spontaneous miscarriage.
• Premature birth.
• Stillbirth.
• An unborn baby may develop a heart defect.
• Leads to the development of congenital malformations in the fetus.
• Congenital viral pneumonia.
• HSV in a newborn baby can cause epilepsy.
• Infants develop cerebral palsy.
• The child may also experience deafness and blindness.
It is important to note that HSV during pregnancy must be treated at any time. The earlier treatment is started, the less harm the virus will cause to the unborn baby.
When should you diagnose an antibody to herpes?
• When small vesicles appear on mucous membranes or skin.
• For HIV infection or immunodeficiency of unknown origin.
• When there is a burning sensation, swelling and a characteristic rash in the genital area.
• When preparing for pregnancy, you must pass an analysis to both partners.
• In the presence of intrauterine infection of the child or fetoplacental insufficiency, etc.
HSV Diagnosis
Diagnosis of the virus is to determine antibodies to HSV type 1 and 2 - LgG and LgM. For research, it is necessary to donate venous or capillary blood. According to statistics, antibodies to HSV are detected in most people around the world. But the study titer of antibodies for a certain period of time gives much more information about the presence of herpetic infection in the body.
Herpesvirus LgM antibodies remain in the blood for about 1-2 months, and LgG antibodies last a lifetime. Thus, LgM antibodies are indicators of primary infection. If the LgM titers at the time of analysis were not overestimated, but the LgG antibodies are high, this indicates a chronic form of the course of herpes infection in the body. LgM markers increase only during exacerbation of the disease.
The presence of LgG antibodies in the blood indicates that a person is a virus carrier of HSV.
HSV: treatment
Herpes therapy has some features:
• Complete destruction of the virus is not possible.
• There are no drugs that can be used prophylactically against infection.
• HSV types 1 and 2 are not sensitive to antibacterial agents.
• In the short-term course of type 1 virus, drug therapy does not make sense.
To date, the only means of direct action on the herpes virus is the drug "Acyclovir". The tool is available in the form of tablets, ointments and solutions. Its use in accordance with the instructions reduces the duration of the disease and reduces the number of relapses. Treatment of type 2 virus, in addition to prescribing the drug "Acyclovir", may include immunocorrections and physiological solutions that reduce the concentration of the virus in the blood.
HSV Complications
• Type 2 virus plays a large role in the development of tumor neoplasms, such as cervical cancer and prostate cancer.
• HSV type 1 and 2 have an extremely negative effect on the course of pregnancy and childbirth. The risk of developing fetal malformations, compatible and incompatible with life, spontaneous miscarriages, the death of a newborn from a generalized herpes infection increases.
• HSV, together with cytomegalovirus, contributes to the development of atherosclerosis.
• Herpes can activate the human immunodeficiency virus if it is in an inactive stage.
Herpetic infection is not a sentence. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, the disease will not harm health.