Many people are familiar with such a situation when painful vesicles develop on or near the surface of the lips, however, the boundaries of the manifestation of herpes infection in the mouth are more extensive - the tongue, palate, inner surfaces of the cheeks and lips, tonsils, gums, and there may also be cold sores in the throat. With timely deactivation of this disease, it, as a rule, does not pose a serious threat to human health, but it can reduce the quality of life and cause significant discomfort.
According to statistics, herpes in the sky is one of the most common pathologies and takes second place after the flu. It is in connection with this that the issues relating to the pathological process (pathways of infection, symptoms and therapy) do not lose their relevance.
Pathology characteristics
Scientific research has proven that almost everyone is infected with the herpes virus. However, it can be in the body for many years without causing any pathological conditions. Most often, the first acquaintance with this pathogen occurs in early childhood.
In adults, the virus is systematically activated, since at this stage it has already been introduced into the cell genome. For this reason, its complete cure is impossible.
Science knows more than 100 varieties of this virus, but only 8 of them are parasitic in humans. Herpes in the sky is usually a consequence of the activity of the herpes simplex virus type 1, manifested by rashes from grouped vesicles containing fluid and an inflamed base. In approximately 10% of cases, this pathogen causes complications that are associated with the spread of the virus to the articular structures, pelvic organs, and nervous system.
In some cases, herpes in the throat is caused by type 2 viruses (for example, genital herpes transmitted through sexual contact), type 4 - Epstein-Barr virus.
This microorganism is characterized by an increased degree of infectivity. It is introduced through the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and genitals. Having overcome the structure of soft tissues, it begins to spread throughout the body through the circulatory system.
How can you “catch” herpes in the sky?
Infection pathways
The virus can be transmitted as follows:
- contact (use of common household items);
- airborne (with coughing, talking, sneezing, with kisses);
- sexual (from an infected partner with oral and genital sexual contacts);
- vertical (to the child from the mother);
- inoculation (transfer of the virus from the affected areas to other areas).
According to statistics, virus carriers are the bulk of the world's population. However, only 5% have this disease in their mouth as a result of the influence of favorable factors for the development of this virus.
Development factors
Herpes in the oral cavity is provoked by the following factors:
- chronic pathologies;
- low level of immune defense;
- pregnancy period;
- alcohol abuse;
- regular stress;
- excessive physical activity;
- lack of rest;
- previous injuries and surgical interventions;
- immunodeficiency states;
- oncological diseases.
What else causes the ailment? Herpes in the sky, in addition to the above factors, can provoke a variety of lip injuries, excessive exposure to sunlight, soft tissue irritation due to dental manipulations.
Symptomatology
Herpes affects mainly the children's body due to the fact that the immune system at this age is not yet sufficiently formed. In some babies, the virus may not manifest itself for a long time or appear in the form of several ulcers that no one will notice, while in others it instantly causes the development of acute forms of the disease.
Herpes in the oral cavity develops, as a rule, in four stages:
- The first days of the disease pass with malaise, increased drowsiness, a slight increase in temperature, a feeling of tingling, itching in the affected area, redness of the mucous membranes of the mouth.
- After this, the development of the inflammatory process is observed, in which small bubbles are formed, filled with a clear liquid.
- The contents of the vesicles gradually become cloudy, under the influence of external factors, these pathological formations begin to burst, in their place painful ulcers with a white coating appear. It is at this stage that patients are very contagious, since there is a high content of viral particles in the fluid flowing from the vesicles.
- Erosions begin to dry out, become covered with crusts, which subsequently disappear on their own (if they are peeled off, this place may bleed).
The stage when the bubbles burst is the most unpleasant - there is severe discomfort, a feeling of pain. Pain in the mouth during eating or drinking can be so severe that often patients completely refuse to eat.
Herpes on the oral mucosa in acute form disappears in about 10-14 days. Erosions on the mucous membrane during this time completely heal, leaving no residue. If during this period the signs of the disease do not disappear, this may indicate the development of a more serious pathology.
The prolonged course of the pathological process can act as one of the symptoms in case of serious immune dysfunctions (AIDS, HIV), benign or oncological tumors, and lymphoproliferative diseases.
When you get acquainted with herpesvirus of the first type in adulthood, the disease can occur in three forms.
- A lung that is diagnosed in patients with good immunity. The lesion can be characterized by the appearance of several bubbles, which do not cause significant discomfort. After expression, they quickly heal.
- With an average, a bright clinical picture is observed, blood counts change. With timely therapy, the wounds heal without a trace.
- Severe occurs sharply and is accompanied by an increase in temperature, a change in general condition, an increase in lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw, severe headache, vomiting, and nausea may occur. Herpetic eruptions are usually very painful. If untreated, they can leave traces of erosion. The likelihood of developing negative complications is not excluded. It is noted mainly in people with severe immune dysfunctions. Often there is the accession of other infections.
Is herpes on the oral mucosa chronic? Clinicians in the field of herpetic infections distinguish a relapsing (chronic) type of this disease that occurs when exposed to favorable conditions, usually in the same places of localization. This is due to the fact that the virus resides in the same nerve cells that were initially affected by it. However, relapses rarely manifest such severe symptoms.
Local signs
The pathological process has a specific localization and the symptoms associated with it. On the gums, herpes begins with a febrile syndrome, which lasts for several days. After lowering the temperature, a characteristic rash appears on the gums. Discomfort in the areas of inflammation is felt, the gums begin to bleed during brushing. There is increased salivation, the tongue is covered with a dense coating, the lips become inflamed. Symptoms resemble toothache, which becomes more pronounced during chewing. Herpes on the inside of the cheeks manifests itself in rashes, which are accompanied by hyperemia, burning.
Herpes in the sky can be of several forms:
- disseminated, in which there are several lesions that are at some distance from each other;
- migratory, the aggravation of which is characterized by the appearance of a rash in different zones;
- edema occurs without a characteristic rash, there is a slight swelling of the mucosa;
- erosive-ulcerative - deep wounds that leave scars form on the site of the vesicles.
The most severe hemorrhagic form of pathology in the sky is considered, in which the rash spreads to the tonsils, and the vesicles are filled with bloody fluid. The pathological process is accompanied by severe intoxication, headaches, body aches. In this case, tissue necrosis, dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve may develop. Often, the symptoms of the disease are confused with the manifestations of stomatitis.
Diagnostic methods
A qualified doctor can make a diagnosis according to the signs of the disease. However, sometimes it happens that the clinical manifestations are too blurry or the disease proceeds in an atypical form. In this case, certain laboratory tests are required.
Laboratory research methods.
They come in several forms:
- cultural - the cultivation of viruses in tissue culture;
- direct immunofluorescence, in which the presence of virus antigens in the biomaterial is determined by using a luminescent microscope;
- polymerase chain reactions to isolate pathogen DNA;
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, in which antibodies to the virus can be detected in the blood.
The human immunity reacts to the penetration of the virus by the release of specific antibodies - the latest research technique.
How to treat cold sores in the mouth?
Therapeutic measures
In the acute period of the development of pathology, therapy is carried out aimed at reducing unpleasant symptoms. The specialist prescribes injections, vitamin complexes, painkillers.
Bubbles that appear in the oral cavity worsen the condition of the patient, rhinitis occurs, inflammation of the gums in the anterior teeth develops. Treatment consists in the use of medications that reduce swelling, anti-inflammatory and vasodilator drugs.
To reduce the temperature are assigned:
- Efferalgan;
- Ibuprofen
- "Paracetamol";
- "Nurofen."
In more severe cases, the appointment of glucocorticoids is indicated, which reduces swelling of the oral mucosa. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed with great care to HIV-infected patients, since they can have an adverse effect, suppressing the immune system.
In the acute period, antibacterial agents of systemic effects, hepatoprotectors, and medications that normalize cardiac activity will join. Symptomatic treatment of cold sores in the mouth in the mouth prevents the toxic effects of pathogens on the body.
For the treatment of rash in the oral cavity, the following drugs are prescribed:
- Viru-Merz Serol;
- Ridoxolum;
- Bonfaton;
- "Gossypol";
- Florenal
- Zovirax
- Valtrex
- "Oxolin";
- "Acyclovir."
Affected areas are covered with ointment every three hours. For the treatment of herpes in the mouth, several medications can be combined. For the healing of wounds and erosion, applications of vitamins A and E are prescribed.
"Acyclovir" for herpes should be used according to the instructions. The dosage and treatment regimen are selected by a specialist based on the patient’s health status. The localization of the virus and the age of the patient are taken into account. In case of primary infection, the dosage of the active substance “Acyclovir” for cold sores should be high, since there are not enough antibodies in the body that fight the disease. It is allowed to take a prophylactic.
According to the instructions for use of the Valtrex tablet, a number of pathologies caused by various types of herpes virus are effectively treated. In the process of therapy, the virus is not completely destroyed, the pathogen remains in the body forever. But the timely use of this substance will significantly reduce the time of the course of the disease, quickly relieve painful and unpleasant symptoms, and also protect the body from the development of serious complications.
The dosage of the drug depends on a number of factors, such as the type of virus that caused the pathology, the severity of the disease, the age of the patient, the presence of concomitant pathology in the body.
Instructions for use with Valtrex tablets should be strictly observed.
An effective effect is the treatment of the rash with antiseptic drugs. To eliminate itching and burning, as well as to prevent the formation of necrotic plaque, medications for mouthwashes help.
- Potassium permanganate effectively suppresses the manifestations of the inflammatory process.
- Hydrogen peroxide heals the affected areas. Hydrogen peroxide rinsing with herpes should be carried out very carefully.
- "Furacilin."
Processing of the mucous membrane is also carried out using 1% suspension of anestezin in oil and 1% solution of trimecaine.
Herpes antiviral pills
Herpes therapy is carried out in several stages. In severe cases of the disease, the medication Acyclovir or its analogues is prescribed. This medication destroys the DNA of a pathogen and prevents its reproduction. In addition, in the fight against herpetic inflammation of the oral cavity, various immunomodulating drugs are used:
- Viferon;
- Amiksin;
- "Cycloferon" with herpes is most effective;
- Kipferon.
At the initial stage of the pathological process, the use of herbal antiviral agents gives a good result:
If relapses of this disease are observed more often 3-4 times a month, the patient is prescribed a course of therapy with Cycloferon. This tool increases immunity, as well as the production of interferon.
Folk recipes
These methods are aimed mainly at increasing immunity, which can independently cope with the disease. In this case, various vitamin teas from the herbs of Lungwort, Chamomile, Thyme, St. John's wort are used. Decoctions and infusions are prepared from them and taken both inside and out - in the form of lotions on the affected areas.
The treatment of erosion in the sky can be carried out with the help of a common black head - preparing a decoction from the leaves of this plant.