Herpetic eruptions are a whole group of infections with a high prevalence, transmitted from person to person. Herpes belongs to the Herpesviridae virus family. Penetrating into the human body, it remains there forever, and manifests itself in periods of decline in the protective function of the immune system. The virus is divided into several types, each of which is characterized by various rashes. We will talk more about the infection, its symptoms and treatment in this article.
What is herpes
Herpes is a viral disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. A characteristic sign of the disease is herpetic eruptions, which look like grouped vesicles in different parts of the human body.
The carriers of the disease are more than 90% of the world's population. About 20% of people have various manifestations of pathology, in others the disease is asymptomatic. As a rule, the virus manifests itself in moments of weakening of the body's immune system. This may contribute to: hypothermia, overheating, the transfer of various diseases, stress, etc.
The infection is resistant to cold, but at high temperatures it dies: already at a temperature of 37.5 degrees, the virus begins to break down and die in 20 hours, and at 50 degrees it dies in half an hour.
On metal products, such as door handles, coins, etc., the infection lasts up to two hours, on wood and plastic - up to three hours, and on wet bandages and cotton wool - up to six hours.
Herpetic rashes affect:
- skin and mucous membranes - most often the face and genital area;
- central nervous system - meningitis, encephalitis;
- eyes - conjunctivitis, keratitis.
How can you get infected
The forms of transmission of the virus from a sick person to a healthy one depend on the type of infection: oral transmission is by using common dishes, a towel and kisses; genital - during sexual intercourse, chicken pox - by airborne droplets.
Different types of herpetic eruptions on the skin choose their localization sites, but with a decrease in immunity functions, they spread more widely. For example: genital herpes can occur on the hips and buttocks, and oral herpes on the cheeks, shoulders, neck and back.
The causes of herpes are the virus. Different types of herpes viruses (Herpesviridae) are localized in different parts of the body (labial - around the mouth, genital - in the genital area, zoster - throughout the body in the form of chickenpox). The susceptibility of the body to a viral infection depends on the state of immunity. The form of the course of the disease (severe or mild), the number of rashes is also determined by immunity.
The main causes of the appearance of pathology are:
- taking medications;
- severe overheating;
- hypothermia;
- overwork;
- depression
- chronic lack of sleep;
- diabetes;
- lack of vitamins;
- elderly age;
- infectious diseases;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases.
With good immunity, the infection is localized in the nerve tissues and is there in a sleeping state, without manifesting itself externally. As soon as a malfunction occurs in the immune system, herpetic eruptions on the skin begin to actively form. The average state of immune defense allows the appearance of a rash in the body in the form of vesicles, but quickly stops the rashes and heals skin wounds within two weeks.
Classification
Doctors distinguish eight types of herpes virus, each of which has its own characteristics. Let's consider each view in more detail:
- Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). These forms of infection cause herpetic eruptions on the face in the area of the lips (in the form of vesicles, which people usually call the common cold), as well as on the genitals.
- The third type of herpesvirus is familiar to many, like chickenpox and shingles. Many experience the symptoms of chickenpox in childhood, lichen can occur in both adults and children.
- The fourth type of herpes virus (a synonym for Epstein-Barr disease) is rare, it can provoke lymphogranulomatosis and mononucleosis.
- The 5th type of herpes excites the disease "cytomegalovirus". Venereologists consider it a genital infection, since the strain is transmitted through unprotected contacts. But it also spreads through the air and during a blood transfusion between an infected and a healthy person in terms of herpes.
- Herpes of the 6th type can appear in both children and adults. Due to its effects in children, razola develops. This is a disease that is accompanied by fever and herpetic eruptions on the body. In adults, herpes of the sixth type causes chronic fatigue syndrome.
- The seventh type is most often formed against the background of HSV-6, and also leads to chronic fatigue syndrome.
- The eighth type of infection is considered to be the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma. It is transmitted sexually, or from mother to child. For a long time, it can be asymptomatic in the body, with a decrease in immunity, sarcoma begins to develop.
Herpetic rashes can be found not only on the skin, in some cases, the infection is localized under the nails or on the cuticle. This type of disease is called "herpetic felon."
Symptoms + photos of herpetic skin rashes
The incubation period of the disease is from two to ten days. The first symptoms are multiple bubble rashes. This process is accompanied by unpleasant sensations: itching and soreness. In addition, the following symptoms may occur: weakness throughout the body, pain in the head and muscles, fever.
The disease has several stages of development, each of which has its own signs:
- The first stage is manifested by light tingling and tingling in the area of future rashes, as well as itching and slight painful sensations. A little later, these areas of the skin turn red, and the pain symptom becomes more pronounced.
- In the second stage, herpetic eruptions appear. First, these are small bubbles filled with liquid, which gradually increase in size.
- In the third stage, the bubbles burst, at which point a clear liquid flows out of them, which contains a huge amount of viral particles. In place of bursting bubbles, ulcers form. During this period, a person is especially contagious, as he releases many viral particles into the environment. The third stage is especially unpleasant and painful.
- Fourth stage. A crust forms over the ulcers, and if it is damaged, pain and bleeding can occur.
When the process is localized, the bubbles in the skin areas not subject to maceration and friction shrink into a yellowish-gray crust, which independently disappears after 5-7 days. And in place of the bubble remains a pigmented area, after some time acquiring a normal color.
The photo shows how herpes looks on her lips.
Treatment of herpetic eruptions
With a decrease in the body's defenses, herpes begins to manifest itself on skin rashes. Noticing the first signs of the disease, you must consult a doctor. Timely treatment started will significantly reduce the period of the disease, and reduce the risk of complications. For the treatment of herpetic rash, several types of drugs are prescribed, depending on the symptoms and complexity of the rashes:
- Antiviral ointments, such as Acyclovir, Farmvir, Panavir, Valacyclovir. Rashes are lubricated every three hours, at night the skin is treated with an antiseptic. In complex cases, drugs are injected.
- Painkillers are used to relieve pain and irritation.
- Panthenol is used to heal bursting bubbles.
- In order to prevent extraneous infection from entering the wounds, they are treated with chlorhexidine or miramistin.
It is not possible to cure herpes infection. Typically, herpes virus is in a dormant state and does not appear in any way while the immune system is able to suppress its activation.
Depending on the general condition of the body, immunomodulators and a course of vitamins can be prescribed.
Herpes in children
The specificity of the virus lies in the fact that herpetic skin rashes in children appear much more often than in adults. This is due to the fact that even with healthy parents, the child will certainly encounter a carrier in the garden or on the playground at the age of two or three years. But still, a large number of babies become infected from sick mothers, while in the womb or immediately after birth.
Protecting the child from infection is not worth it. With a normal state of health and a strong protective system, the human body will be able to develop lifelong immunity to almost all types of herpes if the baby suffers a disease once. The most important thing is to easily and without complications transfer the first infection.
Herpetic rashes in a child are treated in the same way as in adults. Antiviral ointments, antiseptic drugs and vitamins are prescribed.
Herpes in the throat
Viruses of the first and second type lead to infection with herpes of the throat. It is quite difficult to distinguish from other diseases of the throat, of which there are a lot, especially in children. But there are certain symptoms that distinguish herpetic eruptions in the throat from other pathologies:
- the temperature rises sharply, in children it can be accompanied by convulsions, severe headaches and muscle aches are possible;
- gray plaque on the tongue, redness of the throat;
- swelling of the mucous membrane of the throat, severe pain and burning;
- the palatine tongue and tonsils swell, white spots appear on them;
- the appearance of vesicles in the throat, which are gradually filled with a cloudy liquid;
- after two days, the vesicles begin to burst, and red sores form in their place, during this period the body temperature decreases, but the sore throat still remains.
Timely treatment makes it possible to heal ulcers in three to four days, thereby quickly improving the well-being of the patient. But a full recovery is possible only after two weeks.
The photo of herpetic eruptions shows how the disease looks in the throat.
Complications
Despite the fact that it is impossible to completely cure herpesvirus, its manifestations must be eliminated as soon as possible. If you start the disease, you can cause the following complications: eczema, meningitis, pneumonia, prostatitis, infertility, laryngitis, genetic herpes, encephalitis.
Hygiene rules
Herpes is a contagious disease. Infection most often occurs during the formation of vesicles filled with liquid, and resembling pustules. During this period, there is a high risk of transmitting the infection to another person, so you should be careful when communicating with others. Also, during this period it is not recommended to wash in a hot bath. The disease is considered safe after a dry crust forms at the site of the vesicles.
In order not to infect the surrounding people, each vector of the virus at the time of exacerbation should use individual personal hygiene products, separate from their family. In addition, before recovering, it is best to avoid tactile contact with relatives and strangers.
Also, during the period of exacerbation of the virus, it is not recommended to use cosmetics, including gels, scrubs and shampoos. This can cause allergic rashes, as a result of which the general condition worsens due to the spread of the rash throughout the body. Contact with water should be minimized, as this can also lead to the formation of inflammation in different parts.
Before crusting in sores, the best option is to use underwear made of cotton. This tissue absorbs fluid perfectly, which will be released from bursting bubbles.
Diet
In order to cure the disease faster, it is necessary to adhere to a special diet during an exacerbation of pathology. It is necessary to eat as much food as possible containing lysine. The list of products you need to include: milk, dairy products, seaweed, poultry dishes, eggs and fresh vegetables and fruits. Your doctor may prescribe vitamins to boost your body’s immune defenses.
For the duration of the disease, you should abandon fatty foods, nuts and coffee. From vegetables, it is not recommended to eat tomatoes.
Which doctor should I contact
The choice of the doctor depends on where exactly the herpetic rashes are localized:
- with vesicles on the lips, you should consult a dermatologist;
- rashes in the genital area - a gynecologist or urologist;
- rashes on the body - an occasion to contact a therapist.
Due to the fact that the disease worsens during the weakening of the protective properties of the body, it will not be amiss to visit an immunologist.
Prevention
There is no clear pattern of preventive actions against herpetic eruptions. There is a vaccine against herpes, but it has a number of contraindications: acute respiratory infections, allergies, pregnancy.
Improve the immune system can special drugs - immunomodulators. They are prescribed by the immunologist after conducting the necessary studies and passing all the tests.
Since the virus manifests itself in a weakened body, it is worth paying special attention to your health. To strengthen immunity, it is worthwhile to establish several useful habits:
- healthy eating
- physical activity;
- rejection of bad habits;
- visit to the sauna and bath.
Conclusion
Herpes is a specific disease. Almost every inhabitant of the planet once encountered this pathology. With timely measures, the disease is quickly treated and does not bring inconvenience. And in order that the disease does not appear, it is worth taking care of immunity in advance, leading a healthy lifestyle.