Herpes is a viral pathology that is characterized by rashes that occur on the mucous membranes and skin, internal organs. Doctors say with full confidence that about 90% of the entire population over the age of 40 have already suffered this disease, so they have some protection against the virus in their bodies.
There are several types of herpesvirus infection: chickenpox, viral exanthema, cold sores on the lips and genitals, herpes zoster, and others. But this disease does not always end in recovery; some patients develop multiple sclerosis, oncological diseases, or they feel chronic fatigue against the background of herpes virus infection.
Infection of this type is transmitted by contact, through household items. Although all methods of transmission of the virus have not yet been fully studied, there are cases of transmission of infection even by airborne droplets, sometimes the virus enters the body during organ transplantation or blood transfusion. Genital virus may appear after sexual contact with a sick person. There is a possibility of getting herpes from the mother, in utero.
Methods of struggle
Well, if an infection has occurred, then it is already necessary to decide the question of how to deal with herpes. Doctors offer a comprehensive approach to treating the virus. In this case, it is recommended to be treated not only during periods of exacerbation, but also to do everything possible to prevent relapse.
Antiviral drugs and ointments proved to be more effective, that is, systemic and local parallel treatment. In some cases, it is necessary to include immunocorrection drugs in therapy, that is, the use of immunomodulators in such a disease is fully justified.
"Acyclovir"
This is perhaps the most popular drug used in the fight against herpes. Its effectiveness has been fully proven not only in the presence of the herpes virus, but also in chickenpox and shingles.
"Acyclovir" is a pill for herpes, which are available under different trade names, but they all have a single active substance called acyclovir. The drug in pharmacies can be found under other trade names, for example, "Valtrex", "Zovirax", "Gaviran", "Medovir" and others.
The peculiarity of the drug is that it acts selectively, namely on the DNA of the virus. Its use in the treatment of herpes has the main advantage - the low toxicity of the drug, that is, in addition to virus cells, not a single cell of the body suffers. In addition, no clinically important interaction with other drugs has been identified.
By the way, the active substance was invented in 1988 by the American scientist G. Elion, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his invention.
To date, the product is available not only in tablets, but also in the form of ointments. The average price in Russia is from 21 to 35 rubles.
"Cycloferon"
The instructions for the use of tablets for adults say that this tool effectively fights the virus. This is an immunomodulatory drug that is used along with antiviral drugs. The active substance in the drug is meglumine acridone acetate.
However, the drug is a low molecular weight inducer of interferon, its spectrum of action is very wide. It acts not only as a stimulant of the immune system, but also fights viruses, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, the drug is not rarely used in the treatment of influenza or other respiratory diseases.
Most importantly, the effect of the drug is already noticeable 1-5 days after use, a decrease in the activity of the virus is clearly manifested. However, drugs from the interferon group are used not only in the fight against herpes, but also for the treatment of hepatitis B and C, with papillomavirus and in complex therapy for HIV infection.
According to the instructions for use of Cycloferon tablets for adults, the drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation. The medicine is not used in pediatric therapy up to 4 years. You can not use tablets in the presence of gastrointestinal pathologies, that is, with erosion, ulcer, duodenitis and gastritis.
The drug is available in the form of tablets and liquid for injection, the cost of the drug is from 200 rubles.
"Famvir"
Another effective remedy for herpes is Famvir or Famciclovir. The active substance in the drug is famciclovir. This substance, after it enters the body, quickly transforms into penciclovir. And already it penetrates the cells of the virus, integrates into DNA, does not allow them to multiply.
Famciclovir is believed to be slightly better than acyclovir, since its bioavailability is several times higher and equals approximately 77%, while in acyclovir it reaches only 20%. In addition, famciclovir is much longer in the cells of the virus (about 20 hours), which allows you to take the drug much less often. The drug has a very high efficiency in the fight against genital herpes.
"Famvir" is available in the form of tablets, it is a rather expensive drug, the price of which starts from 1,500 rubles for 10 tablets at a dosage of 125 mg of the active substance.
Ointment "Zovirax"
Along with the ingestion of a tablet form of antiviral drugs, local drugs should be used. One of the effective remedies is Zovirax ointment for cold sores on the lips. Indeed, most often the manifestations of the disease are visible on the lips. This local remedy is most often used to eliminate the external manifestations of a viral infection on the lips and mucous membranes.
The active substance of the ointment is acyclovir. Ointment should be applied in small volumes and only at the lesion sites. Treatment of the skin and mucous membranes will have to be done at least four times during the day, with a break between application of 4 hours. The ointment is applied until the symptomatology has completely disappeared. The drug is suitable for use at any stage of the disease. However, prolonged use of the ointment is not recommended, as it can be addictive.
Despite its low toxicity, “Zovirax” is still not recommended for use during gestation and lactation, this is done only in extreme cases. Its use is not recommended for renal failure, the presence of neurological symptoms and individual intolerance of the active substance. Ointment costs from two hundred rubles.
Genital herpes
This type of disease is characterized by damage to the mucous membranes of the genital organs. At the beginning of the disease, vesicles appear, which eventually develop into erosion and sores. Patients feel a burning sensation and hyperemia in the inguinal region, even lymph nodes in this area may increase and signs of intoxication may manifest.
This type of herpes can lead to cervical cancer, cause miscarriage, and, against the background of a decrease in general immunity, become the root cause of other bacterial infections of the genitals. This type of herpes is included in the group of diseases that are sexually transmitted.
How to deal with genital herpes? Today, there are many drugs that simultaneously contain acyclovir and interferon.
Ointment "Herpferon"
This drug is used for external and local use. Due to the combination of two effective active ingredients, the ointment has a pronounced antiherpetic effect, that is, during the treatment process new rashes do not appear, the appearance of dissemination of the skin is almost completely absent. The composition also contains lidocaine, which reduces pain.
During pregnancy and lactation, the doctor must assess how much the risk of developing side effects from the ointment exceeds the expected effect of therapy. In extreme cases, peeling may appear in places where the ointment was applied. The drug can be combined with almost all immunomodulators and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The average price of an ointment is from 250 to 300 rubles per 5 grams.
Intimate spray "Panavir"
How to deal with herpes? What other drugs are there to get rid of the virus on the genitals? In pharmacies you can find an intimate spray, which is used in complex therapy in the presence of herpes on the genitals. There are also suppositories of the same name, which are used in the presence of the virus in the anal area.
For the most part, spray is a prophylactic that is recommended to be used before and after intercourse. It is also used during the recovery period after removal of papillomas or genital warts.
The drug is suitable for daily use. In the spray there are no hormones and alcohol, therefore, there are no contraindications to prolonged and repeated use. The minimum cost for 40 milliliters of the drug is 350 rubles
Ophthalmic Herpes
This virus is quite insidious, so it can even appear on the mucous membranes of the eyes. How to deal with herpes in front of the eyes? This is a rather dangerous form of the manifestation of the disease, which can lead to a decrease in visual acuity or even damage to the cornea. Therefore, timely access to a doctor will help to avoid terrifying consequences.
Sometimes this form of pathology passes quickly enough and does not require special treatment. Although medications are prescribed to avoid relapse.
In the treatment, drugs with the active substance acyclovir or its derivatives are used. For local treatment, ointments and drops are prescribed, systemic therapy consisting of injections and tablets.
Local treatment may be based on a number of drugs:
- "Oftan IMU." This medicine is available in the form of drops. It is the same effective remedy for herpes, as well as "Acyclovir", just as well copes with the suppression of the virus reproduction process;
- Florenal is used to treat eyes, stomatitis and shingles;
- Ointment "Vidarabine". This drug helps block the formation of nucleic acids in the virus.
How to deal with herpes at home
Traditional medicine offers a fairly wide range of recipes in the fight against the virus. However, it should be remembered that relying solely on grandmother's recipes is not worth it, as there is a high risk of relapse after a course of treatment.
Egg and Vodka
Despite the huge difference from other traditional medicine, this recipe allows you to get rid of herpes for a long time.
First, one hard-boiled egg is cooked. Then it is cooled, cleaned and placed in a glass. It is poured with vodka until the egg is completely covered with it. The glass is refrigerated for three days. At the end of this period, you should drink vodka, and eat an egg, you can drink anything. The course of treatment is repeated three times with a gap of 10 days.
The prescription has no contraindications. But you can’t use it only for those who have intolerance to strong drinks.
Another home remedy for herpes is egg film. From a fresh egg, carefully remove the film and apply it to the site of the virus lesion. The film will gradually begin to dry and wrinkle, then it can be moistened. If you feel slight pain and twitching - this is normal, meaning the healing process is in full swing. The film should be changed several times a day, and always put a new one at night.
Celandine
How to deal with herpes on the body? Of course, in most recipes of alternative medicine, it is celandine that is present. After all, this plant is traditional for Russian open spaces. All parts are used for the treatment, but celandine juice is particularly effective.
To eliminate the herpes virus, it is necessary to prepare the juice as follows: rinse the shoots of the plant and grind them in a meat grinder. The resulting juice is left in the refrigerator for 1 week. Every day, the jar with the nipple should be opened and the accumulated gases released from there. After 7 days, the product can be used by gently applying to the affected area with a cotton swab. In this case, you should try to prevent the product from reaching healthy areas of the body and mucous membranes.
Aloe
How to deal with the herpes virus? The aloe plant is found in almost every home; it has fleshy and succulent leaves. In the treatment of aloe, you do not need to prepare a special composition, insist or boil the plant. It should only cut off the sheet and attach to the sore spot. The procedure is repeated several times a day. Each time it is not necessary to cut a new leaf, but simply update the cut of the plant.
However, it should be remembered that the plant can cause problems with the digestive system and cause an allergic reaction, so there is no need to overdo it.
Mummy
How else to deal with herpes? A mummy with a pronounced antibacterial, analgesic and regenerating property will help. But most importantly, the mummy has an antiviral effect. This substance can be used in monotherapy, or combined with other folk and traditional remedies.
For the healing of rashes, you can use a powder with which to sprinkle wounds. Best of all, the mummy helps in the first stage, that is, at the first signs of the appearance of the virus.
Herbs
How to deal with herpes on the face? You can prepare decoctions of herbs, and from them make compresses, wipe your face. Birch buds will do. About 20 grams of raw materials should be steamed in a glass of boiling water and lotions.
You can make a decoction of mint. For the product, you need 1 tablespoon of raw material to fill with 200 milliliters of water and boil for 15 minutes, insist a little (about 20 minutes), after filtering, lubricate the affected areas and / or make compresses.
Good effect from sage. The leaves of the plant (5 grams) are steamed in 200 milliliters of boiling water, insisted for half an hour and smeared with the obtained product the places where the rashes appeared. This infusion is suitable for rinsing the oral cavity.
How to deal with herpes in front of the eyes? In addition to the treatment prescribed by the doctor, you can make decoctions of herbs with which to wash your eyes. In such cases, use the lunatic. For 500 milliliters of boiling water, 2 teaspoons of grass are added, infused for 2 hours. Rinse with warm infusion at least five times throughout the day.
For eye problems, Arnica flowers will do. One tablespoon of raw material is poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for at least 2 hours. Then they wash their eyes every 2 hours.
What's new in medicine
According to some sources, medical scientists have already found a new cure for herpes. After all, this disease occurs in 90% of the entire population, so the relevance of an effective drug is quite high. And not a single drug on the planet is able to completely cure a person. The virus itself penetrates into the nerve cells of the body, so it becomes inaccessible to the immune system.
Specialists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine said they created a new vaccine that passed all preclinical trials, all of which were successful. In 2017, human trials have already begun. The essence of the invention is that the "camouflage" proteins of the virus will interfere with its reproduction, therefore, the production of antibodies will improve, and nevertheless it will be possible to start the immune processes.
Preclinical studies have shown almost 100% effect in the fight against the virus in monkeys and guinea pigs. I would like to believe that clinical trials will be successful, and humanity will be saved from herpes. In the meantime, you can fight herpes on the lips and other parts of the body using traditional medical products: Acyclovir, Zovirax and others, monitor hygiene and maintain immune forces.