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The virus can be transmitted through household items (towels, dishes, toys, bed linen).
If there are rashes, a sick person can spread the infection with his hands to other organs (from the lips to the genitals or to the eyes).
Therefore, if you have a rash, you should use an individual towel, dishes, and avoid kissing and oral sex. The ointment should be applied to the rash with a special glass rod purchased at the pharmacy. You should wash your hands thoroughly even after accidentally touching the rash. It is not recommended to squeeze out the bubbles and tear off the crusts, because... this also promotes infection.
Incubation period(the time from the moment of infection to the onset of the disease) can last from 1 to 26 days.
The herpes simplex virus, having entered the body through the skin and mucous membranes, can cause diseases in the following organs and systems:
Provoking factors for relapse herpes can be:
Type 1 virus can infect mucous membranes or skin anywhere. But most often, characteristic rashes are localized on the lips or wings of the nose, on the oral mucosa. Less commonly, the skin on the cheeks, forehead, ears and other places is affected. 1-2 days before the appearance of the rash, itching, burning, and sometimes weakness and general malaise may be noted. Then bubbles up to 3 mm in diameter with transparent contents appear. The appearance of bubbles is accompanied by severe pain and unpleasant tingling. Bubbles can merge with each other. There is slight swelling and redness of the tissue in this area. The rash may be accompanied by fever and headache.
Then the contents of the bubbles become cloudy, swelling and redness disappear. After 3-5 days, the blisters burst, and the ulcer at the site of the bubble becomes covered with a crust. On days 7-9, the crust is torn off, leaving no trace. The process can last up to 2 weeks.
In 30% of women and 10% of men, primary herpes leads to complications, the most severe of which is herpetic meningitis (damage to the meninges).
Relapses of herpes occur with similar manifestations. A milder course of the disease and faster healing of ulcers may be observed. Relapses (in the presence of provoking factors) can occur up to 6 times per year.
Genital herpes is a lesion of the skin and mucous membranes of the external genitalia. It can be caused by viruses of types 1 and 2. Infection occurs through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, anal) or when the infection is transferred by hand from a different location. The source of infection can also be a sexual partner without acute manifestations of the disease, i.e. carrier of the virus.
There are primary and recurrent genital herpes. Recurrent herpes can occur in typical, atypical and asymptomatic (viral shedding) forms.
An atypical course of the disease occurs in 65% of cases. The viral nature of the chronic inflammatory process in the genital organs in such cases is confirmed by laboratory examination, because There are no rashes typical for herpes blisters.
In a typical course, the initial concern is itching and burning in the area of the subsequent appearance of vesicular rashes, and general malaise. Chills and fever, headache may occur. Pain during urination and purulent vaginal discharge may occur. Nearby lymph nodes become enlarged.
Then bubbles (single or confluent) appear on the head of the penis, the foreskin in men, and in the area of the labia majora and minora in women. The transparent contents of the vial become cloudy. After 4-5 days, the blisters open and the ulcers become crusty. With confluent rashes, the size of the ulcerative surface can be significant. The process lasts about 3 weeks.
Herpes can “spread” to the mucous membrane of the vagina, urethra, cervix, skin of the buttocks, thighs in women; and in men - on the urethra, testicles and prostate gland.
Genital herpes in women can lead to the following consequences:
Genital herpes in men can cause prostate cancer.
Relapses of genital herpes are easier than the episode of primary infection, without fever and malaise. There are fewer rashes during relapses.
A third type of herpes virus causes herpes zoster (or shingles) and chickenpox. Activation of the virus in persons who had chickenpox in childhood occurs in the presence of provoking factors (decreased immunity, stress, severe illness, etc.). Initially, severe pain appears along the nerve (usually along the intercostal nerves), malaise, and headache. A few days later, along the course of the nerve, a group of vesicles with transparent, and subsequently with purulent or bloody contents, appears on swollen, slightly reddened skin. The rash resembles the chickenpox rash. Bubbles can be arranged in the form of a ribbon or in the form of a ring. After opening the blisters, ulcers form and become crusty.
In weakened individuals, the rashes can occupy a significant area, and the blisters tend to merge (bullous form). Such patients (patients with malignant neoplasms, blood diseases, diabetes mellitus, receiving corticosteroid hormonal drugs, chemotherapy or radiation therapy) may develop other severe forms of herpes zoster:
When the virus affects the nerve ganglion (geniculate ganglion), the following triad of symptoms is observed: neuritis of the auricular and facial nerves, skin rashes in the area of the auricle and sharp pain in the ear.
When the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves are damaged, sharply painful unilateral rashes appear on the mucous membrane of the pharynx, tongue, hard and soft palate. The blisters quickly open, forming ulcers and erosions.
In all severe forms of herpes zoster, herpetic meningoencephalitis (damage to the brain and meninges) can develop.
The rash can be localized in the inguinal-femoral region, on the neck, scalp, on the face (along the branches of the trigeminal nerve). The lesion is characteristically unilateral.
When contracting herpes zoster, the pain syndrome is pronounced. The pain can be aching, dull, shooting, or pulling. Pain can be observed only at the affected area or radiate (simulate cholecystitis, angina).
Severe pain is explained by damage to the nerve ganglia and plexuses by the virus. Therefore, pain can persist for a very long time even after the rash disappears (up to several months). This also explains impaired skin sensitivity, impaired salivation or sweating for a long time.
Usually, the first “encounter” with the herpes virus occurs in early childhood, when children become infected from adults through kissing or violating hygiene rules (licking a spoon, pacifier, etc.). Infection can also occur through airborne droplets - when a patient sneezes or coughs. The external manifestations of herpes in children are the same as in adults: small blisters appear in the area of redness of the skin, and after they open, ulcers form. The child's general condition suffers little; a slight increase in temperature may be noted.
With facial herpes, rashes often appear not only on the lips, but also on the skin of the nasolabial triangle and in the nasal passages.
More often in children at an early age, herpes simplex manifests itself in the form of acute herpetic stomatitis or herpetic sore throat.
In a child with eczema or neurodermatitis, if infected with the herpes virus, multiple rashes appear not only on the face, but also on the hands, forearms, and sometimes on the torso. The rash resembles the chickenpox rash. The child's condition is serious, the temperature rises to 39-40 o C. Manifestations of stomatitis, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, and meningitis may occur. The addition of a secondary infection can even lead to death.
Recurrent herpes simplex occurs in children several times a year.
The occurrence of herpes zoster is possible only in children over 10 years of age; This disease does not occur at an early age.
Treatment of herpes in adults takes place in several stages. An integrated approach is applied to its therapy, which consists of suppressing the activity of infectious agents, strengthening the immune system and preventing new relapses. The treatment regimen is drawn up taking into account the results of laboratory and instrumental studies, the stage of the pathology and the presence of chronic diseases of the liver and urinary system in the patient. To increase the effectiveness of therapy and speed up recovery, oral medications, external agents in the form of ointments and suppositories, and, in case of severe symptoms, injectable solutions are used.
The symptoms and treatment of herpes in adults are closely interrelated. Single and daily dosages, as well as the duration of the therapeutic course, depend on the localization and severity of signs of infection. The cause of the disease can be any of the eight known viruses, but in the vast majority of cases, the following types of disease are diagnosed in an adult patient:
They are characterized by similarity in the main clinical manifestations. Initially, a swelling appears on the skin, and when touched, a person feels slight pain. Over the course of several hours, the swelling increases and the area of skin turns red. If antiviral drugs were not used at this stage, the pathology progresses rapidly. The intensity of the pain increases, blisters filled with liquid contents form, gradually becoming cloudy due to the accumulation of pus. After a few days, the shell of the blisters opens, and in their place wounds form, which over time become covered with a dense crust.
A herpes virus of any type often provokes symptoms of general intoxication of the body, especially in the first day. A person’s temperature rises above subfebrile levels, a feverish state, profuse sweating, and chills appear. Against the background of hyperthermia, dyspeptic disorders occur - nausea, vomiting, excessive gas formation, diarrhea or constipation. Neurological disorders in the form of increased anxiety, panic attacks, sleep problems, and emotional instability are also common.
This type of herpes in adults responds well to treatment as soon as possible, especially at the initial stage of the inflammatory process. Dermatologists recommend at the first signs of infection (slight tingling and swelling at the site of localization of herpes viruses) to begin treating the skin with antiseptic solutions - Furacilin, Miramistin, Chlorhexidine 4-5 times a day. At the same time, it is necessary to use external agents with antiviral activity. The following drugs have the greatest therapeutic effectiveness:
The active ingredients of external agents penetrate directly into cells affected by herpes viruses. They interfere with the normal production of DNA of infectious pathogens, which makes their further growth and active reproduction impossible. Antiviral drugs should be applied to damaged skin 5-7 times a day, gently massaging for better penetration of the ointment or gel. After a few hours, the severity of the pain syndrome decreases, skin itching and swelling disappear.
Warning: During the treatment of herpes on the lips (the so-called cold), it is necessary to exclude foods rich in spices and salt, as well as hot drinks, from the diet to prevent the spread of viruses.
With frequent and painful relapses, one cannot do without taking systemic drugs in tablets, dragees, capsules - Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, Famciclovir. The duration of the therapeutic course is directly dependent on the stage of the pathology and the number of complications that have developed. After antiviral therapy, patients are prescribed immunomodulators to increase the body's resistance to infectious agents and prevent frequent exacerbations.
As a rule, the following drugs are used in treatment:
Medicines stimulate the production of one's own interferon, which causes an increase in the functional activity of the immune system. The production of antibodies and T-lymphocytes is initiated to destroy herpes viruses. Immunotherapy helps to transfer the disease into a latent form for as long as possible.
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Signs and treatment of vaginal herpes
In the absence of qualified medical care, a bacterial infection is attached to the inflammatory foci, which requires the use of local antibiotics - Tetracycline ointment and (or) Levomekol. Antiseptics are also used to destroy pathogenic microorganisms.
At the initial stage of the disease, when a person is only bothered by slight swelling and tingling, it is possible to prevent the formation of a blister with Golden Star, Kim balms or Doctor Mom ointment. The external preparations include a unique combination of essential oils that have an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and disinfectant effect. After applying the product, blood circulation in damaged tissues improves, microcirculation is normalized, viruses and toxic products of their vital activity are removed from infectious foci.
Herpes viruses types 2 and 3 take several weeks or months to invade the cells of the human body. After this time, infectious pathogens are activated, which is reflected in the formation of swelling and rashes. Monotherapy is not used to eliminate symptoms due to its extremely low effectiveness. This method of treatment will cause a temporary suppression of the activity of herpes viruses and a gradual reduction in the intervals between exacerbations. The situation will be aggravated by the psycho-emotional state of the patient, who is constantly awaiting new clinical manifestations against the background of even a slight decrease in immunity.
To establish the type of virus that caused herpetic eruptions, a number of laboratory tests are carried out, which are necessary to draw up a therapeutic regimen. The tests often take several days, so doctors begin treatment without waiting for their results. At the initial phase of therapy, broad-spectrum antiviral agents are used, which are active against most known types and strains of infectious pathogens. Most often doctors prescribe the following drugs:
Simultaneously with systemic etiotropic therapy, the patient is prescribed drugs for application to blisters, blisters or already formed ulcers - Acyclovir, Zovirax, Bonafton ointments. Treatment with antiseptic solutions is mandatory to prevent the penetration of staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci into inflammatory foci. At this phase of treatment, it is important to use drugs to eliminate the symptoms of general intoxication of the body. The therapeutic regimen includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nise, Nimesulide), Analgin, Paracetamol as analgesic and antipyretic drugs. The drugs are prescribed to adults in the form of tablets or rectal suppositories.
Herpes simplex - symptoms and treatment
What is herpes simplex? We will discuss the causes, diagnosis and treatment methods in the article by Dr. P.A. Aleksandrov, an infectious disease specialist with 12 years of experience.
Herpes simplex is a highly contagious acute and chronic infectious disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. It is provoked by herpes simplex viruses types I and II, causing a typical blistering rash and ulcerations, usually of a localized nature. In people with severe immunodeficiency, these viruses can cause severe generalized forms of the disease.
The disease is part of the TORCH complex, as it affects the development of the fetus: during primary infection or reactivation (less often) in pregnant women, it causes a congenital infection.
Family - Herpesviridae(from Greek herpes - creeping)
Subfamily - α-herpesviruses ( Alphaherpesvirinae)
Types - herpes simplex virus I, II ( Herpes simplex virus I, II)
They have a specific ability to attach to human integumentary tissues. This is accompanied by constant or periodic persistence - the ability to reproduce in infected cells without manifestations of pathological effects, i.e. simple inactive carriage.
Quite unstable in the external environment. At room temperature they are stored for up to a day, on metal - up to 2 hours. In 30 minutes it is destroyed by heat from 50°C. It disappears within minutes upon drying and under the influence of organic solvents - alcohol and chlorine-containing substances. At -70°C it can be stored for up to five days. Cultivation occurs in chicken embryos and cell cultures.
More than 90% of the world's population is infected with this virus. After 30-40 years, almost 100% of people become infected with it, mainly with type I of the virus.
Once infected, a person becomes a lifelong carrier of one or both types of the virus. There are no data on episodes of self-healing.
Recently, cases of carriage of the herpes simplex virus have appeared with the absence of specific IgG antibodies to both types of the virus. The clinical and epidemiological significance of this phenomenon is unknown. Perhaps this phenomenon is cross-related with individuals who are not susceptible to infection.
The source of infection is an infected person. It is contagious during any phase of the disease or carriage, but mainly during exacerbation.
The virus can be found in any biological fluid of the body - saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, vesicular discharge and others.
Receptivity is universal. The risk of infection increases when the skin and mucous membranes of a healthy person are injured and infected biological substrates come into contact with them. Moreover, the virus can be transmitted even in the absence of visible lesions in an infected person.
Most cases occur as inactive carriers. As a rule, a person initially acquires type I of the herpes simplex virus (from childhood), and type II appears during puberty. However, everything is relative.
The main methods of transmission of the virus:
In 20% of cases, an inverse relationship between the types of viruses and their modes of transmission is possible.
Transmission mechanism:
It has been proven that infection with herpes type II increases the risk of infection and transmission.
If you notice similar symptoms, consult your doctor. Do not self-medicate - it is dangerous for your health!
The incubation period for the acquired form lasts 2-14 days. Most often, it cannot be installed due to lack of manifestation.
Herpes simplex in children usually proceeds according to the type of stomatitis and gingivitis - the temperature rises, fever appears, general intoxication, focal hyperemia (redness) of all mucous formations of the oral cavity, pain when chewing, increased salivation. Small children refuse to eat due to pain. In a short period of time, small vesicular rashes appear at the site of hyperemia, which quickly open, leaving behind painful erosions - aphthae. Regional lymph nodes enlarge and become painful. Over time, the immune system strengthens and the symptoms gradually regress without any traces of damage. Relapses are rare.
For skin lesions(mainly in adults) vesicular rashes often appear around the mouth, wings of the nose, and sometimes on the torso and buttocks. The rash consists of small vesicles with serous contents on a slightly hyperemic skin background. Subsequently, they open and dry out, after which crusts form without a trace.
Sometimes the bubbles merge into quite large bubbles. Often their contents fester, oozing forms, and a secondary streptococcal or staphylococcal infection (staphylo- and streptoderma) occurs.
General health, as a rule, does not change. Sometimes the regional lymph node may be slightly enlarged and painful. In general, the process rarely lasts more than a week.
For severe immunodeficiencies the infection may take a more widespread (generalized) course. In this case, a syndrome of general infectious intoxication occurs and internal organs are affected: the liver and spleen are enlarged, the nervous system is affected (meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, etc.), as well as the lungs, kidneys and other organs. With relapses of a chronic infection, patients sometimes feel mild discomfort and tingling in the area of future rashes.
For genital herpes rashes appear on the skin and mucous membranes in the genital area and perineum. They are usually accompanied by soreness, hyperemia of the surrounding tissue, enlargement and tenderness of the inguinal lymph nodes. The frequency of relapse depends on the individual characteristics of the immune system.
For ophthalmoherpes- eye herpes - unilateral lesions are more often observed due to the transition of the primary process to the organ of vision, i.e., a secondary lesion occurs. Keratitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, iridocyclitis, uveitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis and other manifestations may be observed.
A very unusual form of manifestation of herpes simplex is known as Kaposi's eczema herpetiformis- herpetic eczema. As a rule, it occurs in people who have any skin disease or predisposition to it (dermatosis or “problem skin”). In this case, intoxication and high body temperature are observed, herpetic blisters appear everywhere, quite abundant and closely spaced, periodically merging, sometimes with hemorrhagic impregnation. In some cases, they suppurate, then they open, dry out and form a solid crust. When the rash is completely treated with green paint, the patient’s skin takes on the appearance of crocodile skin. The disease is often quite severe and can lead to death.
During pregnancy a child becomes infected:
With primary infection of a pregnant woman in the first trimester or with ascending infection of the fetus, malformations often develop that are incompatible with life, or a miscarriage occurs, especially when infected with type II of the herpes virus, which is the infecting agent most often - up to 80% of cases.
When a pregnant woman is infected in the second and third trimesters, the risk of infection of the child is about 50%. At the same time, the liver and spleen enlarge, specific inflammation of the lungs, jaundice, metabolic disorders, malnutrition, meningoencephalitis, anemia and more occur. After birth, it can occur either in an asymptomatic subclinical form or have severe disabling consequences - blindness, severe damage to the central nervous system, deafness.
The gateway to infection is damaged skin and mucous membranes.
The virus attaches to the surface of the epithelial cell, penetrates it and begins to multiply. This can lead to the death of the cell itself, and in a massive process - to obvious inflammatory processes, the appearance of characteristic hyperemia, vesicular rashes and the entry of the virus into the blood and lymph. In the blood, the virus is found on the surface of red blood cells, lymphocytes, and platelets. During this period, the virus can enter various organs and tissues, including transmission to the fetus during primary infection of the mother during pregnancy.
The herpes simplex virus infects sensory nerve endings, paravertebral nerve ganglia. From there, neurogenic spread of the virus to the skin can occur, causing new rashes to appear. They are far from the place of initial implementation:
If the immune system is adequate, the virus disappears from organs and tissues, but at the same time remains for life in sensitive nerve fibers. There it can be transmitted from cell to cell, bypassing the intercellular space, and ultimately becomes inaccessible to counteraction by the immune system - the so-called. "immune escape". After this, the virus may never again have manifest manifestations, but with immune disorders - T-cell immunodeficiency, disruption of interferon production and macrophage function - its reactivation, hyperreplication, release from neurosensory depots and again damage to the skin and mucous membranes are possible.
Predisposing factors for viral reactivation may be:
Macrophages play one of the key roles in the appearance of symptoms of herpes simplex. They “allow” or “do not allow” the virus to multiply within themselves (the so-called permissiveness). In the first option, an infection with pronounced symptoms develops, in the second - a subclinical picture of the disease.
A special role is played by increasing the body's sensitivity to virus antigens. It manifests itself in the development of local allergic reactions of a delayed type in areas of rash. With AIDS, this reactivation acquires a generalized secondary character with damage to most internal organs - the brain, liver, lungs, kidneys and others.
Immunity during infection with the herpes simplex virus is type-specific (against type I or II of the virus), only partially cross-linked. It does not prevent exacerbation of the disease, but prevents secondary generalization (with the exception of AIDS-associated conditions) and infection of the fetus.
In ICD-10(International Classification of Diseases) are divided into two groups associated with the herpes simplex virus:
By severity Herpes simplex happens:
According to the form of occurrence diseases are distinguished:
According to the form and prevalence of infection There are four stages of herpes simplex:
According to the clinical picture and localization of rashes There are two forms of herpes simplex:
Patients with complicated forms of herpes simplex are subject to hospitalization in an infectious diseases hospital. The remaining patients, in the absence of serious concomitant conditions, can be treated at home on an outpatient basis.
There are two strategies for etiotropic treatment:
The use of topical agents in the form of ointments and creams has limited and ineffective results.
Highly effective etiotropic treatment may well be supplemented with means of increasing the body’s immune defense (if the body has reserves) and vitamin therapy.
As a result of long-term therapy, specific vaccination is carried out to stimulate the cellular mechanisms of antiherpetic immunity.
In uncomplicated forms of the disease, the prognosis is favorable; in generalized forms or forms with damage to the central nervous system, the prognosis is serious, with possible death or disability.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, prevention and treatment of concomitant diseases, and avoiding hypothermia and stress are important in preventing the development of manifest infection.
No special restrictive measures are taken for the disease. The patient should be provided with individual dishes, and kissing uninfected people should not be allowed.
For genital herpes, a highly effective measure is the use of a condom. Regular use of antiherpetic drugs for already infected people provides a certain reduction in the risk of spreading the infection.
If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with genital herpes in the presence of frequent relapses, a high viral load in the genital area and birth canal, then the patient is advised to take prophylactic antiherpetic drugs, starting from the 36th week of pregnancy until childbirth (if a natural birth is planned). Or a planned caesarean section is performed.
No vaccination has been developed to prevent herpes simplex infection. The vaccine is used only to reduce the number of relapses.
Herpes - translated from Greek as “a creeping, spreading skin disease.” The disease is caused by the Herpesvirales virus and is characterized by blistering skin rashes throughout the body and mucous membranes. The types of herpes depend on its location and the causative agent; in total there are about 200 varieties, but humans are subject to only 8 of them. Each type has its own signs and reasons for its appearance. Types 7 and 8 of herpes still remain not fully studied.
Routes of transmission of HHV 3:
How does chickenpox manifest (symptoms):
The rash spreads across the skin where the affected nerves are located. The duration of the disease is about 14 days. A person who has had chickenpox once becomes a carrier of the virus for life.
Important! The duration of the illness is approximately 2 weeks. One of the consequences of herpes zoster is inflammation of a nerve ganglion or several nodes (inflammation of the ganglia).
Treatment of patients with chickenpox or herpes zoster is carried out either in an inpatient department or at home. Therapy is based on the intake and use of antiviral drugs, immunostimulants, and vitamins. For chickenpox, the vesicles are lubricated with brilliant green or Fukortsin.
Epstein Barr virus and Human herpes virus type 4 (EBV or EBV). Herpes infection is the source of mononucleosis. The infection affects the nasopharynx, lymph nodes, spleen and liver. Formations can lead to cancerous formations. The consequences of the Epstein Barr virus also include otitis media, sinusitis, damage to the heart muscles, inflammation of the liver and brain.
Routes of infection:
The maximum amount of virus is released during breathing and coughing. Adolescent children and young adults are most susceptible to this disease.
The duration of the period from the entry of the virus into the body for its first symptoms is from 5 days to 7 weeks.
Symptoms of mononucleosis:
Diagnosis of Human herpes virus type 4 is carried out using PCR. If the test is positive, the patient is observed by 3 specialists (an immunologist, an infectious disease specialist and an ENT specialist).
The disease can go away on its own, but it is better not to wait for this moment, as complications may arise and you will need to undergo the necessary course of treatment. Therapy for mononucleosis with mild and moderate forms is carried out at home, but the patient is isolated from others. If the case is severe, hospitalization will be required.
There is no specific treatment regimen for herpes type 4. Therapy is aimed at eliminating symptoms.
Herpesvirus 5 strain (Human herpesvirus 5, cytomegalovirus, HCMV-5) is characterized by a latent form. Symptoms are more pronounced when the immune system is weakened. Men may not realize they are carriers of HCMV-5 for a long time. The disease affects the liver, spleen, pancreas, central nervous system and eyes.
How does infection occur and routes of transmission:
The period of time from the entry of the pathogen into the body until the appearance of primary symptoms is 60 days.
Signs of herpes type 5:
Important! Despite significant pain, the tonsils and lymph nodes are not susceptible to inflammation.
The disease poses a real danger to HIV-infected people, as well as those who have undergone organ transplantation, cancer patients, and those taking cytotoxic drugs.
Cytomegalovirus also has negative consequences for pregnant women. Expectant mothers may give birth to a child with congenital pathologies (dysfunction of the brain, hearing, vision, breathing and digestion, skin problems and retarded development). Stillbirth is also possible.
To identify or exclude the presence of cytomegalovirus in a pregnant woman, it is necessary to do an ultrasound of the blood flow in the vessels of the umbilical cord and uterus, determine a pathologically small amount of amniotic fluid, measure the heart rate, detect delayed fetal development and abnormal development of internal organs. It is also important to undergo laboratory testing methods (PCR, serological diagnostics).
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the symptoms of the disease, increase and correct immunity.
Herpesvirus 6 strain (HHV-6, HHV-6) is a DNA virus.
There are 2 subtypes of HHV-6:
Important! In the absence of proper treatment for both subtypes, disability and isolation from society are inevitable.
Signs and symptoms:
If at least once, the virus remains for life in a latent form and does not manifest itself. Relapses are possible with a noticeable decrease in immunity, but without the appearance of external signs.
How is HHV-6 transmitted:
To diagnose diseases, in addition to the usual doctor’s examination and questions, it is important to undergo an examination. To do this, you need to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, undergo serodiagnosis and a virus test.
It is impossible to get rid of herpesvirus 6 strain; the goal of therapy is to combat its manifestation. For this purpose, drugs with different pharmacological effects are used (corticosteroids, antioxidants, angioprotectors, antiherpetic agents, antipyretics, immunostimulants).
Herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7, HHV-7) often occurs in parallel with virus strain 6, moreover, they are very similar to each other. The virus infects T-lymphocytes and monocytes, which leads to CFS and the development of cancer of lymphoid tissues.
How is it transmitted:
The main differences between HHV-7 and HHV-6:
Symptoms:
To detect herpes virus type 7 in the body, it is necessary to undergo PCR diagnostics, ELISA, a test for the virus and an immunogram.
Medical care consists of combating the symptoms that appear. There are currently no specific drugs for the treatment of HHV-7.
Herpesvirus 8 strain (HHV-8, HHV-8, KSHV) - the last abbreviation is not a typo or an accident. These letters appeared from English literature, since there the disease is called Kaposhi Sarkoma Herpes Virus. The virus infects T and B lymphocytes and is a DNA virus.
Virus 8 strain is transmitted in different ways:
Important! People who have undergone organ transplantation, radiation, homosexuals and drug addicts are at risk.
For an infected person with normal immunity, HHV-8 does not pose a danger and does not manifest itself in any way. It is able to “expose” its negative sides when the body’s defenses decrease. HHV-8 provokes the appearance and development of Kaposi's Sarcoma, primary lymphoma and Castleman's disease.
Depending on what disease the patient has. There are also symptoms.
As with other agents of herpes infection, there is also no specific treatment for HHV-8. Usually, drug therapy with chemotherapy, radiation, cosmetic procedures (phototherapy), and in rare cases, surgery are prescribed.
Only an experienced specialist can correctly determine the type of viral disease, its etiology and prescribe treatment. Although to date a drug against herpes infection has not yet been created, the pathology requires special attention. Timely detection of the virus in the body will help relieve a person from unpleasant symptoms and consequences.
In today's article we will get to know you better about a disease such as herpes. So...
Herpes(Greek “herpes” - creeping, spreading skin disease) is a viral disease with a characteristic rash of grouped blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.
Herpes- This is the most common viral disease, the causative agent of which is HSV, that is, the herpes simplex virus. About 90% of the world's population have the herpes simplex virus, but only 5% of these people show symptoms of the disease; in the rest, herpes disease occurs without clinical consequences.
Virus family "Herpesviridae" can cause life-threatening diseases, infections, recurrent diseases, transplacental infections, which can cause congenital deformities in children.
The virus most often affects:
Recurrences can occur on the red border of the lips, the porches of the nose, eyelids, cheeks, ears, forehead, gums, inner surface of the lips and cheeks. The most common place for relapses is in the corners of the mouth, but unfortunately there are cases when inflammation occurs in almost all of the above places.
There are 8 types of herpes viruses found in humans.
1. Herpes simplex type I- most often causes blisters on the lips.
2. Herpes simplex type II- in most cases causes genital problems.
3. Varicella zoster virus: childhood chickenpox and herpes zoster virus type III.
4. Epstein-Barr virus (type IV virus)- causes disease.
5. - also capable of becoming a pathogen.
The meaning of types VI, VII and VIII is not entirely clear. They are believed to play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome, the sudden onset of rashes. There are even suggestions about the role of herpes in the development of schizophrenia.
Simple herpes type I (English: Herpes simplex). Herpes simplex virus type 1, whose visible symptoms are called “”, infects the face and mouth and is the most common form of infection.
Herpes simplex type II. The second most common infection is herpes simplex virus type 2, which causes diseases of the genital organs. Genital herpes is often asymptomatic while transmission of the virus continues. After primary infection, viruses migrate to sensory nerves, where they remain in latent form for life. Relapses of the disease are not defined in time, although some triggers of the disease have been identified. Over time, periods of active infection become shorter.
Herpes simplex- a group of crowded bubbles with transparent contents on an inflamed base. Herpes is preceded by itching, burning of the skin, and sometimes malaise.
Herpes zoster- characterized by pain along the nerve, headache. After a few days, rashes appear in the form of grouped blisters on the area of skin along the nerve, first with transparent and then purulent bloody contents. , the general condition is disturbed. Neuralgic pain can last up to several months.
More photos of herpes can be seen on the forum.
In its development, the disease passes through stage IV:
Stage I- tingling. This is when most people feel like they are getting sick. Before a “cold” appears, the skin in the corners of the mouth or the inner surface of the lips, or on the tongue, or elsewhere on the face begins to itch.
In the place where a relapse of herpes will soon develop, harbingers of the disease appear: pain, tingling, tingling, itching. The skin over the site of future relapse turns red.
The development of the disease can be prevented if acyclovir-based drugs are used at this stage. If you are suffering from severe itching, you can take an Aspirin or a tablet.
Stage II- stage of inflammation. It starts with a small, painful blister that gradually increases in size. The bubble is tense and filled with a clear liquid, which later becomes cloudy.
III stage- stage of ulceration. The bubble bursts and a colorless liquid oozes out, filled with billions of viral particles. An ulcer forms in its place. At this moment, the sick person is very contagious, as he releases a huge amount of viral particles into the environment. Due to the soreness and sores on the face, this stage is the most annoying for people.
IV stage- scab formation. A crust forms over the ulcers, and if damaged, it can cause pain and bleeding.
Important! If the “cold” does not go away within 10 days, be sure to consult a dermatologist, since a “cold” on the lips can be a symptom of other serious diseases that require specialized treatment.
A prolonged course of colds on the lips (more than 30 days) may be a sign of a sharp decrease in immunity, benign tumors and oncological diseases, and lymphoproliferative diseases.
In people with reduced immunity (immunosuppression, HIV infection), necrotic forms of the course with the formation of scars on the skin are possible.
Depending on the time of infection of the patient with the herpes simplex virus, genital herpes can be primary (the first time in the patient’s life) or recurrent (two or more times). Accordingly, the symptoms and signs of genital herpes will be slightly different.
Primary genital herpes, as a rule, is asymptomatic, subsequently leading to latent virus carriage or the development of recurrent herpes.
From the point of view of the spread of the herpes simplex virus, this asymptomatic form is considered the most dangerous, since without finding symptoms of herpes and not knowing about it, a person continues to have an active sex life, infecting partners. It should also be noted that it is during the period of primary development of infection that herpes is especially contagious.
Primary genital herpes usually appears after 1-10 days and differs from subsequent exacerbations in its more severe and prolonged course.
So, places of rashes. Recurrences can occur not only outside the genitals, but also inside the urethra or vagina, as well as on the thighs and legs. In women, genital herpes often appears on the buttocks and is associated with the approach of menstruation. A blistering rash in and inside the rectum is also a symptom of genital herpes.
The symptoms of genital herpes themselves are similar to the symptoms of herpes on the lips.
The herpes virus is transmitted by direct contact, as well as through household items. Airborne transmission of infection is also possible. Herpes penetrates through the mucous membranes of the mouth, upper respiratory tract and genitals. Having overcome tissue barriers, the virus enters the blood and lymph. Then it enters various internal organs.
The virus penetrates sensitive nerve endings and integrates into the genetic apparatus of nerve cells. After this, it is impossible to remove the virus from the body; it will remain with the person for life. The immune system responds to the penetration of herpes by producing specific antibodies that block viral particles circulating in the blood. The awakening of infection is typical in the cold season, with colds, with. Reproduction of herpes in epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes leads to the development of dystrophy and cell death.
According to research by Columbia University scientists, herpes is a stimulating factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease. These data were later independently confirmed by researchers from the University of Manchester. Previously, the same group of researchers led by Ruth Itzhaki proved that the herpes simplex virus is found in the brains of almost 70% of patients with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, they confirmed that when a brain cell culture is infected with a virus, there is a significant increase in the level of beta-amyloid, from which plaques are formed. In a recent study, scientists were able to find that 90% of plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease contain DNA from herpes simplex - HSV-1.
Complications of herpes can cause very bad consequences. First of all, this is intrauterine infection of the fetus. Herpes in the cervix can cause infertility. There are also cases of the development of herpes viruses in the nervous structures of the pelvis, which lead to persistent pain syndromes, ganglionitis, and pelvic sympathalgia.
Herpes simplex viruses are very easily transmitted through direct contact with lesions or biological fluids of an infected patient. Transmission can also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic illness.
Risk factors for HSV-1 infection in childhood include poor hygiene practices, overcrowding, low socioeconomic status, and birth in undeveloped countries.
In the external environment at room temperature and normal humidity, the herpes simplex virus persists for 24 hours, at a temperature of 50-52°C it is inactivated after 30 minutes, and at low temperatures (−70°C) the virus is able to remain viable for 5 days. On metal surfaces (coins, door handles, water taps) the virus survives for 2 hours, on damp sterile medical cotton wool and gauze - during the entire drying time (up to 6 hours).
Herpes can also be transmitted in the following cases:
Condoms. The effectiveness is high, but it should be remembered that it is less than 100%, since the transmission of the virus 
can also be carried out through areas of mucous membranes and skin (especially if there are microcracks and damage on it) that are not covered by a condom. In general, promiscuity has always been the scourge of the population and the instruments of mass epidemics throughout human civilization, and not for nothing, this action is a sin described in the Holy Scriptures (the Bible) as fornication.
Antiseptic agents (Miramistin and the like) that should be used to treat areas where the virus may have entered. The degree of effectiveness is difficult to determine.
Wash your hands thoroughly after touching a herpes-infected area of skin.
Wash your hands constantly after being on public transport, touching banknotes, before eating, etc. Research shows that the most viral bacteria are found on: money, mobile phones, public transport (handrails), keyboards, public toilets.
Be sure to use personal hygiene items and store them separately from others.
After using the toilet, it is necessary to disinfect the toilet seat (the virus lives up to 4 hours on plastic).
If you have genital herpes, you must abstain from sexual intercourse.
It should be noted that it is almost impossible to protect yourself from oral HSV-1 infection, because it is transmitted even through short contact with the skin of a healthy person. Therefore, avoid oral sex with an unfamiliar partner or someone who has genital herpes. Also, oral sex with a partner's lip herpes can cause genital herpes.
Don't touch your eyes with your hands! This is especially true for women because they wear makeup.
Do not use saliva to wet contact lenses.
Do not touch areas affected by herpes! Despite the severe itching and pain, do not touch the herpes rash under any circumstances, do not kiss, especially with children, do not use someone else's lipstick and do not lend your own to anyone, do not share a cigarette with a friend.
Do not attempt to remove blisters or scabs to avoid spreading infection to other areas of the body.
Use separate towels and utensils, and do not drink from someone else’s glasses.
Itching indicates that the virus mechanism has already been activated, which means that time without 
delay in getting antiviral cream (for example, Zovirax, Hexal, Herperax, etc.) or other antiviral medications prescribed by your doctor.
Use acyclovir creams and ointments, which help blisters and wounds heal quickly, and take dietary supplements that contain penciclovir.
Your doctor may prescribe a one-day treatment with valacyclovir. If, at the first time the infection manifests itself, you take two valacyclovir pills early in the morning and then in the evening, labial herpes will stop developing, and if the characteristic rash has already appeared, it will heal faster.
During treatment, follow a special diet.
If the cold sore on your lips does not disappear within ten days, be sure to consult a dermatologist, since labial herpes can be a symptom of other, more serious diseases that require special treatment.
Long-term treatment of herpes lips (over 30 days) can cause a sharp weakening of the immune system, which can be a symptom of tumors, HIV infection and lymphoproliferative diseases.
If your body is not satisfied with something, herpes will be the first to tell you about it. People who are on diets are more likely to relapse.
Women infected with herpes have it worse than men because a regular trigger is.
Currently, no guaranteed cure for herpes has been found. There are, however, 
drugs that, when taken regularly, can effectively suppress the symptoms of virus infection, its reproduction and development (that is, improve the patient’s quality of life):
Acyclovir (Zovirax, Zovirax and numerous generics). An antiviral drug that prevents the virus from multiplying in cells. Dosage form - tablets, cream and injection solution. Relatively cheap, effective for most patients.
Valacyclovir (Valtrex, Valtrex). It differs from acyclovir only in the delivery method, but is more effective. In most cases, it completely suppresses the symptoms of the virus and its biological activity, blocks its reproduction and is highly likely to prevent transmission of the virus to other partners during contact. Currently, in the West, this drug is the main treatment for herpes.
Famciclovir (Famvir, Famvir). Oral form of penciclovir. Effective against strains of the Herpes zoster and Herpes simplex virus (including those resistant to acyclovir and those with altered DNA polymerase). The principle of action is similar to acyclovir and Valtrex. It is highly effective.
Panavir. Plant biologically active polysaccharide, belongs to the class of hexose glycosides. Shows polyvalent antiviral activity. For about 2 days it relieves pain, itching and burning. Systemic and local forms for complex therapy have been developed: solution for intravenous administration, rectal suppositories and gel. Non-toxic, increases the remission period by more than 3 times.
In the USA, the drug is used to treat herpes Docosanol (in Russia - Erazaban). It is also included in many creams as a skin softener.
Proteflazid (Drops). Drops are intended for the treatment of herpes simplex.
Flavoside (Syrup). The syrup is intended for the treatment of herpes simplex.
- eliminated with lotions with urine evaporated to ¼. Perform procedures 4 times a day. After each 
When using the lotion, lubricate the sore spots with the raw white of a fresh chicken egg. Allow to dry until a film forms on the rash. The herpes will heal in 3-4 days.
- You can be treated with lotions with freshly squeezed juice. Apply them 2-3 times a day.
- take the infusion for 2-3 weeks. You need 2 tbsp. crushed herbs, pour 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, strain and drink 0.5 cup 3 times a day before meals.
- compresses with grated garlic, apple or potato, it is very good to treat rashes with freshly squeezed juice from alder or aspen leaves, lubricate with the juices of onions, milkweed, figs or.
- Take a piece of ice from the freezer, wrap it in a thin cloth and apply it to the painful area for 10 minutes. Do the procedure three times a day, and the next day there will be no herpes.
- brush the rashes with beaten egg white as often as possible.
- dissolve in 1 tsp. vegetable oil, 5 drops of geranium and eucalyptus juice, and then lubricate the area of the rash with this solution 4-5 times a day.
- Moisten the cold sore and gently rub it with salt. Do this as often as possible. Get rid of it in a day.
- lubricate the painful areas of herpes and around them with pharmaceutical tincture.
- every day, 4-6 times a day after meals, it is necessary to lubricate the painful area with the Fukortsin solution (Castellani liquid), which is sold in pharmacies. You also need to buy pharmaceutical ointment “Celestoderm B with Garamycin” and after lubricating the ulcer with “Fukorcin”, apply a tampon with ointment to it.
- 1 tbsp. crushed fresh celandine herb, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, strain, and then soak sterile cotton wool in the infusion and wipe the rash areas with it every hour. The pain will pass, the rash will dry out, and the herpes will leave you.
- Lubricate the protruding herpes with vegetable oil (preferably fir) and sprinkle with salt. Do this 3-4 times a day until recovery.
— before bed, take a small spoon (which is used to scoop up mustard) of hellebore mixed with a teaspoon of honey.
- Sprinkle the wounds with Streptocide. The next day the herpes will dry out, and after a few days it will disappear altogether.
- 2 tsp. meadowsweet flowers and 1 tsp. Place the flowers in a liter jar and fill with ½ liter of vodka. Cover with a plastic lid and leave to infuse for a month in a dark place. Shake occasionally. After steeping, strain. At the initial rash of herpes, apply a cotton wool moistened with tincture to the sore spot for 15-20 minutes. If the herpes has gained strength, additionally take the tincture orally: 1 tsp. per 100 g of boiled water 2 times a day. At the same dose, the tincture also helps well with.
— if you have herpes in your blood, you can drink Colloidal Silver with liquid Chlorophyll.
- herpes on the lips can be cured by frequently lubricating the sore with sea buckthorn oil.
- as soon as you notice that herpes begins to rash, you should immediately anoint the affected areas with toothpaste. Everything goes by quickly. You can also smear a bruise or cut.
- take a peeled clove of garlic, chop it and rub it on the rash. Do not lubricate, but rather rub so that the garlic juice penetrates inside. It is advisable to rub garlic at night so that the rashes do not have contact with liquid. You can also use onion instead of garlic.
- getting rid of herpes in the initial stage. Grind and mix by weight 2 parts of sage and linden flowers, 1 part of woodruff, 3 parts of samosil (Dubrovnik), then 1 tsp. Pour the mixture into an enamel pan with a glass of boiling water, bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute over low heat. After this, turn off the heat, wrap the pan warmly and leave to steep until the broth cools. Drink it warm, 2 tbsp. 4-5 times a day. Apply the same decoction to the areas of herpes.
With the onset of cold weather, more and more people with characteristic rashes on the lips appear. It would seem that this is a common and not at all mysterious disease, but the average patient knows nothing about herpes - except that “it’s a fever on the lips.”
Herodotus wrote about herpes a hundred years BC: it was the “father of history” who gave herpes its modern name (from the Greek “herpein” - to crawl) - due to the ability of herpetic ulcers to “spread” in different directions from the primary vesicle on the skin. Over many centuries of “communication” with herpes, this disease has become overgrown with myths.
Let's try to deal with the most common of them.
Myth 1. Herpes is not contagious. Quite the opposite. Herpes is transmitted by airborne droplets (by coughing, talking), contact (by kissing, sharing utensils, lipstick) and through the sexual tract. It is also possible that the child is infected from the mother while passing through the birth canal. Typically, this happens if the mother becomes infected with genital herpes during the third trimester of pregnancy. At the same time, her body does not have time to produce antibodies, which she passes on to the child. And if there is damage to the placenta, the child can become infected in the uterine period - this is called congenital herpes.
Myth 2. Herpes is a manifestation of a “cold”. In fact, herpes is an independent disease that is caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is usually activated by hypothermia, fatigue, exacerbation of chronic diseases or a decrease in general immunity.
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