Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 on our planet is infected with almost the entire population. Some species are not particularly dangerous, while others, on the contrary, can create serious problems, and in certain cases, for example, during pregnancy, the consequences of the virus can be fatal.
Therefore, it is very important to get tested for the herpes simplex virus in a timely manner.
Virus overview
About twenty percent of Russians note the appearance of bubbles and sores on their lips up to about ten times a year. This is not even surprising, because antibodies to herpes of the first type, which indicate the presence of a pathogen in the body, as a rule, are found in almost one hundred percent of those examined.
Is this a "cold"?
Herpes is often called a "cold", but this is completely wrong, since the herpes virus does not belong to the causative agents of otolaryngological diseases. No cold pills, whether antipyretic, antibiotics or any other medicines, will help a person with herpes.
The role of diagnosing the virus and the magnitude of the problem
Herpes is the most common viral disease in the world. It is quite simple to get infected with it, since it can be transmitted through any contact: during kissing, sexual intercourse, during childbirth from mother to child, in a household way, and sometimes by airborne droplets. By the time they are in their twenties, almost everyone is infected with this virus.
Once in the blood, the herpes simplex virus lives in the body for years without showing itself. But he waits for the moment when the human immune system weakens. The trigger is usually a serious illness along with stress, overwork and chronic lack of sleep, hypothermia, hormonal changes, that is, almost any shake-up for the body can cause it. The occurrence of herpes depends on the type of virus.
Herpes and its types
There are eight types of herpes in total:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 is the most common. It is he who is able to cause the appearance of bubbles that are filled with liquid on the tongue, lips, mucous membranes of the mouth, and so on. Sometimes, a couple of hours before the bubbles appear, a person's temperature rises and weakness appears, however, very often this virus attacks a person without warning.
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 leads to the appearance of a similar rash, but on the mucous membranes of the genital organs. This species is transmitted through sexual contact. Such a virus is especially dangerous for pregnant women and can lead to pathologies.fetus.
- The third type is called the varicella-zoster virus. It is capable of causing chickenpox, which is very characteristic of children, and, in addition, shingles. The rash can occur not on the mucous membranes, but on the skin, and it usually lasts for a very long time, about a month. Such a rash can be accompanied by headaches, weakness and fever.
- The fourth type of herpes simplex virus is better known as the Epstein-Barr virus. At the same time, characteristic bubbles are located on the tonsils, the virus, in turn, provokes an extremely severe sore throat, which is accompanied by symptoms such as high fever, weakness, drowsiness and severe sore throat.
- The fifth type of herpes on our planet is infected by many, but basically this virus seems to be sleeping, without causing any characteristic symptoms. True, in the active state, the so-called cytomegalovirus is very dangerous, since it causes severe damage to internal organs. In the event that a pregnant woman is infected with herpes of the fifth type, then the risk of premature birth is very high, a miscarriage is possible, as well as fetal pathology.
- The sixth type can lead to the development of eczema, as well as lymphosarcoma or lymphoma.
- Herpes type seven is a very mysterious virus, the only manifestation of which is chronic fatigue. At the same time, fatigue is present such that neither sleep nor rest can cope with it. Over time, against the background of this type of herpes, memory problems can develop, and, in addition, with concentration of attention, a person turns into an irritable and apathetic person, very muchimmunity suffers. As a rule, with such symptoms, people do not go to the doctors, not even suspecting that chronic fatigue can be caused by such a serious viral infection.
- Herpes of the eighth type is a rather rare and little-studied disease that affects lymphocytes, it is often found in HIV-infected patients, the pathology is manifested by the appearance of small ulcers on the skin. Usually this type is activated in the case of the development of Kaposi's sarcoma.
No cure at all
Many experts believe that it is impossible to completely get rid of the herpes simplex virus. And in this statement there is an element of truth, but this is only partly true. Yes, indeed, today it is impossible to completely destroy this virus in the body. But it is quite possible to suppress its activity so much that the manifestations of the virus will not bother. Treatment in this case, as a rule, is carried out combined, antiviral drugs are used along with means that strengthen the immune system. Among other things, physiotherapeutic methods are used, for example, ozone therapy. And in case of exacerbation, local antiviral and painkillers are used.
Diagnosis and treatment of herpes is necessary, and this is especially important in the first place for those who are going to become parents. For adults, the virus causes only discomfort, but for newborns, it can be deadly.
Diagnostic steps
Diagnosis of herpes simplex virusdivided into two stages. The first thing to do is to conduct a medical examination. And the second is laboratory research, the purpose of which is to find and identify the virus in the blood, and, in addition, in other biomaterials. Sometimes, during the examination, the doctor is able to determine what type of herpes he encountered. For example, the herpes simplex virus type 1 is very easy to identify.
But visual signs can be misleading, for example, genital herpes usually looks like syphilis. And for some types of herpes, external symptoms are not typical at all.
Referral for tests
In this regard, the doctor must send the patient for tests. Laboratory techniques are the basis for the diagnosis of herpes. They make it possible to determine the presence of the virus even when it is inactive, and it also allows you to determine the type of pathogen along with its concentration.
When is it appropriate to order tests?
It is advisable to take tests for the herpes simplex virus regularly, even if there are no manifestations of the disease. This is a completely normal measure of he alth control. But in some situations, herpes tests are mandatory:
- Planning pregnancy.
- Just before preparing for an organ transplant.
- When blisters and rashes appear on the skin, the cause of which is difficult to determine during a visual examination.
Find out howdetect antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1.
Methods of laboratory diagnosis of herpes
Laboratory diagnosis includes several options for various tests. The question of what kind of analysis for herpes is required in each case is decided by the attending physician. Sometimes, to be completely sure, you need to go through several different studies at once.
Classical methods of research and analysis
Classic research options include the following tests:
- Performing a polymerase chain reaction. This is an affordable and extremely simple technique that allows you to quickly detect the virus, even in cases where its concentration in the blood is extremely low. Almost any biomaterial can be examined using the PCR technique. This analysis is based on repeated copying of a part of the DNA of the causative agent of the disease, followed by identification of the virus.
- Performing enzyme immunoassay. Using this method, the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies to the herpes simplex virus is detected and their concentration is calculated. In the presence of an exacerbation, the content of IgM is usually extremely high, and in the chronic stage, the amount of IgG increases. Thus, thanks to this method, it is possible to establish the phase of the disease.
- Immunofluorescence reaction. With this technique, the biomaterial is treated with a special substance, under the action of which the antigens are highlighted, and thanks to this they can be very quickly detected as part of a microscopic examination. Thisthe method works great when the concentration of the virus in the blood is very high. And the test is positive for the herpes simplex virus.
Additional diagnostic techniques
Additional test options include the following tests:
- Carrying out the cultural method. This is an accurate and reliable technique, the only significant drawback of which is a very long wait for results. As part of the study, the biomaterial is transferred to a nutrient medium by the cultural method. The virus begins to actively fight he althy cells, and the researcher who observes their changes gets an excellent opportunity to identify the virus. False-positive or false-negative results with culture techniques are nearly impossible. True, you have to wait two weeks for the result.
- Performing the serological method. This is the most common and affordable method for diagnosing herpes, which determines class G antibodies. It is often prescribed in case of suspected herpes of the second type. In this case, blood from a vein serves as a biomaterial for research.
- Implementation of the immunogram. This is not exactly a herpes test, but rather a test of the immune system. The specialist examines the blood from the vein and determines the total number of immune cells along with their ratio. This analysis makes it possible to determine which immunoglobulins are lacking in the body. An immunogram is prescribed to select the right treatment in order to stimulate the defense systemsorganism.
- Carrying out "dot-hybridization". This technique is in many ways similar to PCR, it is also aimed at detecting the DNA of the virus. This diagnostic method can be used even when there is no external manifestation of the disease.
- Performing a vulvocolpocervicoscopy. This technique is used to diagnose genital herpes in women. The doctor examines the mucous membranes of the vagina with a special microscope, which does not give too much magnification, but this is enough to notice the rash characteristic of herpes.
Antibodies: interpretation of test results
As part of the study of antibodies and the diagnosis of this virus, there is the following interpretation of the results of the analysis:
- The presence of IgM antibodies usually indicates an acute or recent infection.
- The presence of antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 IgG indicates a previous infection.
- A negative value indicates that the material does not contain antibodies to the virus.
- Boundary value indicates that it is recommended to re-sample material for analysis after two weeks. In the event that the result turns out to be borderline again, then it should be considered definitively negative.
You cannot diagnose the presence of an infection based on a single positive test result, the history should be taken into account, along with clinical symptoms, among other things.
How much does a herpes test cost?
The cost of tests for the determination of this virus varies significantly in various private Russian laboratories, so we will give the average prices. For example, a PCR analysis costs up to about one and a half thousand rubles if it is performed on absolutely all types of herpes. This study will cost only three hundred rubles if the analysis is carried out on any one specific type of virus.
To the cost of the analysis itself, it is necessary to add the price of biomaterial sampling, which on average ranges from two hundred to three hundred rubles. Smear sampling will cost four hundred rubles for patients. The set of certain tests required for delivery is determined by the attending physician.
