Many people wonder what herpes is and how to treat it. And this is not at all surprising. The question is not idle, because it is a very common disease. Most often, herpes simplex occurs, relating to the first type (oral) or to the second (genital). The latter can be seen in the inguinal region of the patient. A person has a rash on his hips, genitals, buttocks, perineum, and sometimes even on his back and legs. It is quite itchy and sore.
Causes of herpes
All patients would like to know why they developed herpes. The causes of this disease are extremely simple. You can “catch” this ailment both directly from an infected person with visible (in other words, fresh) signs of herpes, and from people with not too noticeable manifestations, but still representing a danger to others. These patients also actively secrete the virus. You can get sick after contact with household items (dishes, towels, toys, sheets) that they touched. In addition, the disease can be transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as sexually. Infection occurs after the virus enters the skin (especially injured) or mucous membranes. Genital herpes, in particular, can be transmitted through sex. This disease is not uncommon. Herpes simplex is often found in people who are actively changing sexual partners.
Interesting features of herpes
Interestingly, the virus can be actively transmitted from one person to another only during the acute course of the disease, in other words, if there are sufficiently noticeable ulcers on the lips, buttocks, hips, genitals, in the groin area. And when the crust exfoliates from these injuries, the sick person ceases to pose a danger to his environment. Genital herpes is rarely transmitted through household items; Of course, there have been such cases, but this is an exception to the rule. In addition, doctors claim that this ailment is more common in women than in men. But herpes, the reasons for which are often found in communicating with a sick person, causes inconvenience to absolutely everyone, regardless of gender. Everyone would like to get rid of him.
Congenital Herpes
Congenital herpes stands apart when a child becomes infected in the mother’s body. This can happen if a girl experiences a primary infection during pregnancy, after which the viruses enter the bloodstream, or during an exacerbation of a disease in someone from her circle of friends. This is really scary, since often this infection causes malformations of the child, as well as his death (the same situation can happen during childbirth). Thus, this disease during pregnancy is a very serious problem. Experts advise to take an analysis for herpes in advance.
Symptoms and stages of herpes
As for herpes simplex (namely, the first and second type), about twelve hours before the onset of the painful rash, the following symptoms may develop: swelling, discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes, itching, discomfort in places where signs appear in the next step Fever. Further on the affected areas, you can already notice the bubbles (usually crowded) with an inflamed lower part and a transparent substance inside. After a couple of days, this liquid becomes cloudy. Bubbles burst, and then turn into ulcers with a characteristic crust. The whole process, of course, is disgusting for many people. The symptoms of herpes are definitely not pleasant. It should be noted that when the bubble bursts and liquid flows out of it, viruses in large quantities enter the environment. It is during this period that it is necessary to carefully monitor personal hygiene so as not to infect anyone.
Duration of one episode of the disease
All stages of exacerbation of herpes are accompanied by general malaise, weakness, and often an increase in temperature. As a rule, each episode of the course of the disease can last up to three months. However, one should not think that the virus completely leaves the body - it simply goes into a latent (in other words, implicit) state until a subsequent relapse (in other words, exacerbations).
Treatment of different types of disease
Herpes is very common, therefore, we can confidently say that almost everyone at least once learned from their own experience what the manifestations of this disease are. However, not all patients are serious about the treatment of this disease, since the signs of a "cold on the lip" can disappear on their own, even without the use of medications. On the other hand, people who do not pay due attention to their health justify themselves by the fact that they still can’t completely get rid of the virus. However, they probably do not fully understand that, having started the necessary treatment in a timely manner, exacerbations can be avoided, and this is a very important argument in favor of contacting a specialist. Herpes is an infection whose manifestations should not be ignored. It is very important to understand this.
Cold sore medicine
It is necessary to start the treatment of herpes on the lip as quickly as possible, best of all - at the first stage, when there are practically no external signs.
Their occurrence can be prevented using the “Acyclovir” agent (“Zovirax”, “Gerpevir”, and also “Virolex”). To prevent the affected area from scratching, you can drink Paracetamol or Aspirin (however, it is not recommended to do this without consulting a specialist). "Acyclovir" is represented by tablets, and all kinds of ointments, and creams, and injection fluids. You must understand that it is forbidden to use medications without consulting a doctor. Even if you have never had an allergy to medicines, it can occur unexpectedly. But the help of drugs alone would not be enough. Antibodies to herpes also help fight the disease. They appear in the body within 7 to 14 days after infection.
Hygiene requirements during the period of the disease, ointments and oils
Adhering to the scheme of treatment of herpes on the lip, compiled by the doctor, it is necessary to remember the strict observance of hygiene requirements. The ointment from the virus should be applied only with clean fingers, after the procedure, washing them with hot water and soap. And you can smear a medicine for herpes on the lip with cotton buds - it is very easy and simple. For affected areas, zinc or tetracycline ointment is excellent. It will not be superfluous to use oils that provide softening. Wonderful effect gives rosehip and sea buckthorn. Do not touch the ulcers with your fingers, so as not to infect them even more, it is also forbidden to tear off the crusts (so the disease will only worsen). In the presence of affected areas on the face, it is not recommended to use tonal products, but it is advisable to moisten the lips with colorless lipstick. Having learned about what herpes is and how to treat it, many patients begin to devote all their attention to the treatment of this disease, forgetting about other recommendations regarding the behavior of the disease. This, of course, is unacceptable.
How to behave during a relapse?
During relapse, contact with others should be minimized. Under no circumstances should you kiss! In addition, a person should have personal dishes, which must be properly washed every time after eating. It is good if the patient excludes salty as well as sour foods from his menu. Often, herpes on the lip is activated by a large amount of sunlight. If you noticed that the bubbles appear after a long time on the street, start using lipstick that protects against ultraviolet radiation. If herpes under the influence of the sun appears on another part of the body, you should use cosmetics that protect against its influence. You can buy it in many stores. Every infected person needs to be aware of what herpes is and how to treat it.
Herpes in the nose and chin
Lips are not the only place where the disease appears. Herpes can also occur in the nose (this option is the most painful) and on the chin. This happens quite often. As a rule, these are signs of one type of herpes simplex, located on different parts of the body - drugs and treatment regimens are usually identical to those recommended for "colds on the lip." But you still need to visit a doctor.
Herpes stomatitis
Quite often, signs of the disease can appear in the mouth - it is there that an ailment makes itself known, which is also called herpetic (herpes) stomatitis. In particular, manifestations of the disease occur in the tongue and throat. How do they look? Small sensitive ulcers appear on the tongue, soon turning into wounds filled with pus. They hurt so much that it is impossible to eat and even drink. Patients, although aware of what herpes is and how to treat it, but still are in despair from the current situation. You will not envy them.
Herpetic stomatitis can also be localized in the throat, but this is quite rare. This situation occurs when the disease affects large areas of the mucous membranes in the oral cavity. It must be understood that the approach to an ailment should almost always be individual. This disease should not be confused with herpetic sore throat.
How to prevent the emergence and spread of the disease?
Herpes prevention is very important. During the relapse of any type of illness, one should not leave the apartment at least out of pity for others: after all, when ulcers are clearly visible, the patient becomes very dangerous for other people. Moreover, therapy may well be carried out at home. Epidemiological control, as a rule, includes only accounting for the number of infected, the identification of risk factors, the identification of pregnant patients and information support.
Preventive actions to prevent the transmission of herpes to others are reminiscent of tips for seasonal colds that everyone is aware of. You should not communicate with patients and often be in a crowd, you must use protective equipment, namely gauze dressings, and carefully observe all the requirements of personal hygiene.
Genital Herpes Prevention
And how to prevent infection with genital herpes? It's simple: you just need to remember the advice of doctors regarding protection from any ailment transmitted during sex. However, a condom cannot always provide complete safety: for example, if the patient’s body parts strewn with ulcers come into contact with the mucous membranes or skin of another person, then the latex product is powerless. However, such prevention of herpes is of great importance.
Herpes vaccine
To prevent the occurrence of exacerbations with an existing ailment, a special vaccine should be introduced for this disease. The same method can be used to prevent primary infection. People who are not immunocompromised should be given the vaccine five times with a break of a couple of days. Re-do vaccination data is necessary after six months. People with immunodeficiency and prone to frequent exacerbations of the disease (about once every 30 days) are given the same five vaccines with a frequency of one or two weeks. Whatever your situation, remember: Herpes simplex type 2, just like the first, can be defeated!