Herpes is a viral infection, the carriers of which are 90% of the world's population, and according to some sources - already 98%. Only 20% of people experience symptoms of the disease. Among infections, herpes is in 2nd place after the flu. Such a huge prevalence of the virus is due to the fact that it has a high virulence and very good adaptability to any habitat. The word "herpes" in translation from Greek means "creeping". This name is due to the fact that a local defeat by a virus leads to its complete conquest of the whole organism.
What is behind the herpes vesicles?
Infection is characterized by blisters with subsequent changes. At this stage of the disease, a person becomes infectious both for the environment and for himself.
When a bubble bursts, the liquid released from it contains billions of viruses. They get to other parts of the body and new foci of infection appear. In addition, autoinvasion is also possible with scratching.itchy areas, touching them, and then to other parts of the body. Not only the skin suffers from the virus, but the entire body: the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, genitals, lungs, lymph nodes, etc.
Causes of the development of herpes on the skin
With any type of herpes virus, the main cause of infection is its penetration into the body. Infection is possible through direct contact with the patient, through household items, by aerogenic route, and also from mother to fetus (vertical route).
Oral-genital contacts expand the boundaries of HSV-1 and HSV-2, and they can occur on the genitals and on the lips, oral mucosa. Outside the body, the virus is viable for another day. The most dangerous is always the first contact with the virus (primary infection), because in this case the infected person does not yet have antibodies.
The source of infection is the patient and the carrier. The virus enters the cells and exists in an inactive state for years. A person may not know anything, but as soon as immunity decreases, herpes is instantly activated. For its manifestation, factors-provocateurs are needed. These include:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- menstruation;
- stress or fatigue;
- overheating or hypothermia of the body;
- smoking and drinking;
- recent infections;
- take AGP due to allergies.
The risk of developing the disease increases in the following cases:
- HIV, AIDS patients, with congenital immunodeficiencies;
- receptioncytostatics, corticosteroids, antibiotics, radiation and chemotherapy;
- cancer;
- old age;
- heavy somatics.
Types of herpes
Today, more than 100 types of herpes virus are known, but most often a person is attacked by 8 types that are better and studied. Of these, the first 3 types are best known, 7 and 8 are under research. There is no fatal outcome with herpes, but it settles in the body after penetration forever.
No antiviral agents can cure the pathology. Its development can only be slowed down.
- Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) or labial type - people call it a cold on the lips or a manifestation of fright. They can be contracted through shared items, kissing and contact with the sick.
- Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) - genital. The route of infection is sexual.
- Virus type 3 - in children it is called chickenpox, after which lifelong immunity is developed. Airborne infection. In adults, this virus has the appearance of shingles.
- Virus type 4 (Epstein-Barr virus) - causes infectious mononucleosis, in which, first of all, the lymphatic system is attacked, as well as the tonsils, the hepato-lienal system, and a rash on the body also occurs. Cancer risk increases.
- Herpes type 5 (cytomegalovirus) - no symptoms. The lesion resembles a mononucleosis-like syndrome; lymphoid tissue and internal organs are also affected. Promotes oncology.
- Viruses 6, 7, and 8 types have been discovered in recent decades. The basic principles of their operation are already known: 6type contributes to the occurrence of multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, causes sudden exanthema in children. The 7th type provokes leukemia and oncological lesions of the lymphatic system. 8th - leads to the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (skin cancer) and primary lymphoma.
The mechanism of the development of the virus in the body
The incubation period takes from 1 to 26 days. For the penetration of the virus, an entrance gate is always needed - microtraumas of the skin or mucous membranes.
The source becomes a sick person in the active phase or a carrier. The external manifestation of the infection is a rash in the form of a whole scattering of transparent vesicles on the skin filled with lymphatic fluid. This is accompanied by itching, fever, painful sensations.
The brightest picture in the primary infection. But even if there is no clinic, the risk of the virus does not decrease.
In response to the penetration of the virus, the immune system immediately reacts: the production of specific immunoglobulins M and G begins - these are IgM and IgG antibodies.
IgM appear immediately at the beginning of the infection process and indicate the acute stage. IgGs are produced later and become a marker of immunological memory.
They are already in the blood all the time. Immunoglobulins contain the virus, forcing it to lie dormant so that there are no active negative manifestations.
When herpes exacerbates, class G immunoglobulins immediately react, and the recurrence clinic softens. After recovery, the pathogen continues to remain in the tissues of the body for life.
Herpes simplex symptoms
HSV-1can affect any area of the skin, but most often occurs on the lips and wings of the nose. 2 days before the rash, suddenly there is itching in these places, general weakness and malaise. Then there are transparent bubbles up to 3 mm in size. These places turn red, hurt and tingle. Bubbles can merge, the temperature rises. Later they become cloudy, the skin swells and turns red. After 3-5 days, the vesicles burst with the formation of ulcers. The skin is covered with a crust (scab), which is torn off on the 7-9th day. No trace left.
Consequences of herpes on the lips: in a third of women and one in ten men, HSV-1 can lead to aseptic meningitis.
Genital herpes symptoms
Can be caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2. In a typical course, the symptoms are similar to type 1, but the rashes concern the genitals - vesicles (single or confluent) appear on the head of the penis, scrotum, foreskin; in women - on the genitals. Herpes can "spread" on the vaginal mucosa, urethra, cervix, buttocks, thighs, in men - also on the testicles and prostate. This is manifested by dysuric disorders, pain, purulent discharge from the vagina.
The whole process can last 3 weeks, while regional lymph nodes increase. With relapses, rashes are less.
Symptoms of herpes zoster
Begins with the fact that along the nerves (usually intercostal) pain and burning appear, this is complemented by cephalgia and malaise. After a few days in these areas, the skin becomes edematous, slightly reddens anda group of transparent bubbles appears.
Then they become purulent or bloody. The rash is similar to chickenpox, but is located in the form of a ribbon, a ring.
The following picture is typical. In weakened persons, rashes occupy large areas and merge (bullous form). Shingles can only affect a child over 10 years of age and an adult.
Danger to fetus and newborn
During pregnancy, there are drastic changes in the body that also affect immunity (it is weakened), so susceptibility to infections increases dramatically, just as the consequences of herpes during pregnancy become more likely. Even if it is a relapse of the virus, the danger to the mother and fetus is great.
Intrauterine, a child can become infected with the activity of the virus in the mother. This is especially dangerous in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, during childbirth and during the neonatal period.
The consequences of herpes can be in the form of:
- stillbirths;
- miscarriages;
- malformations in the fetus (malformations of the heart, liver and kidneys, hydro- and microcephaly, skeletal disorders);
- early birth;
- fetal hypotrophy and hypoxia;
- severe damage to the central nervous system of the fetus, its vision and hearing.
Danger for pregnant women
In the first trimester, the laying of future organs and systems takes place. For a child, the consequences of herpes on the lips during pregnancy are insignificant: if it recurs every few months (this is its infrequent form), maternal antibodies will not give the viruspenetrate the fetus and harm it. But if there is a primary infection, then miscarriages are possible. In this period, the consequences of herpes for the unborn child will be very severe even when carrying a fetus. In the early stages, it is better to get rid of such a pregnancy. Otherwise, the children born will have pathologies that can make them permanently disabled.
The consequences of herpes during pregnancy, if it was a type 3 virus, are dangerous because there is a high probability of external and internal deformities in the child.
In the second trimester, all internal organs are already actively growing and developing. At week 8, the placenta is formed. It is completely permeable to the virus, so infection will be the most detrimental.
In the presence of antibodies, the risk of infection drops to 5-7%. The consequences of herpes during pregnancy for a child during this period is that he may not be born he althy, the survival rate is less than 10%. With primary infection, the probability of a he althy baby is zero.
In the third trimester, the risk of deformities is also high, and this applies to the fetal brain. Encephalitis develops, all parts of the brain are affected.
Intrauterine fetal death often occurs. If the child was born alive, he dies in the first week. Also, the baby can become infected during childbirth.
Consequences for children
Children suffer from herpes much harder than adults, and the consequences of herpes in children are always pronounced. For newborns, the virus is generally fatal - there areinflammation of the respiratory system, vision, blindness and deafness may develop. In adulthood, such men and women are infertile.
The most dangerous thing is brain damage in the form of encephalitis. Even early intensive treatment will not restore his function, and the child remains disabled.
Children under 1 year old still have the following effects of herpes:
- loss of smell;
- myocarditis;
- meningitis;
- encephalopathy.
Complications and consequences in women and men
Although the disease manifests itself focally, it affects the entire body, which is why the consequences of herpes are diverse. You can break them into groups and consider separately.
Neurological complications:
- Alzheimer's disease - HSV-1 is the culprit. It is known that 90% of patients with Alzheimer's disease are carriers of herpes, and at autopsy, an active type 1 virus was found in the brain of 70% of patients.
- Aseptic meningitis occurs with primary infection with HSV-2.
- Encephalitis and meningoencephalitis - can also be the consequences of herpes on the lips and genital herpes. At the same time, paralysis and neuropathy are observed.
- Epilepsy.
- The virus can also cause irreversible progressive destruction of brain cells. This is possible in the absence of treatment.
Sciatica is caused, among other factors, by HSV-2. Necrosis and retinal detachment, inflammation of the eyes - the consequences of herpes zoster, as well as HSV-1 and 2.
Consequences for other organs:
- purulentinflammation of the pharynx and lesions of the lymph nodes;
- pneumonia - rapidly developing and very poorly treated;
- persistent decline in immunity and frequent colds.
The consequences of genital herpes are:
- inflammation of the MPS;
- inflammation and destruction of the pelvic bone tissue;
- an increase in the risk of tumors, as the virus causes cell regeneration, especially the cervix in women and the prostate in men;
- infertility and impotence.
Gastrointestinal tract observed pancreatitis. Arthritis affects the joints, multiple thromboses from the circulatory system.
Treatment methods
It is necessary to treat severe herpes in the hospital with antiviral, immunomodulatory, symptomatic drugs. In other cases, home therapy is allowed under the supervision of a doctor. Often, at the initial stage, only local treatment with antiviral drugs is used.
Standard treatment regimen
The regimen includes the following drugs:
- Antivirals (most of them are suitable for any type of herpes): Zovirax, Acyclovir, Valaciclovir and many more. etc. In the USA, herpes is treated with "Docosanol" (in Russia - "Erazaban"). It is also available in the form of creams. Proteflazid (drops) and Flavozid (syrup) are also for the treatment of herpes simplex.
- Analgesics.
- Immunostimulants - Polyoxidonium and Cycloferon.
- Vitamins.
Topical treatment
Ointments should be applied pointwise, with a special pharmacy glass spatula. What does it give? The virus is suppressed, an insulating shell is formed at the site of the introduction of the virus, it does not allow the virus to crawl further.
The most effective are:
- V altrex;
- "Aciclovir";
- Famvir;
- Zovirax;
- "Panavir-gel";
- Fenistil.
The method of application for each drug is different, so follow the instructions. Shower before application. Wash hands again after applying ointments.
Treatment Reviews
The most effective in terms of decreasing degree are recognized: "Viru-Merz"; "Epigen" - they relieve symptoms in 2-3 days and the virus goes away for many months. Next comes Docosanol, Erazaban, Novirin, effective and inexpensive Infagel, Allokin alfa in injections, Gerpferon, Lavomax. Acyclovir and Zovirax were recognized as ineffective.
What not to do?
To avoid completely exposure to the virus with its prevalence will not succeed, but precautions will reduce this possibility.
May help:
- Early visit to the doctor.
- Using antivirals, not antibiotics.
- Do not comb the rashes.
- Do not touch the rash and wash your hands after each contact with the affected area.
- Maintain immunity.
- Don't touch your eyes! This is true for women who usemakeup.
- Don't take someone else's lipstick and don't give your own. The same applies to other cosmetics.
- Do not wet contact lenses with saliva.
- Don't share a cigarette with others, don't let others light it.
To avoid further infection, don't pop the blisters or peel off the scabs - this has never helped anyone recover; exclude oral sex from your circle of preferences.
Only have your own separate towel, do not use other people's dishes and do not drink from other people's cups.
Prevention
Prevention consists in maintaining a he althy lifestyle and any ways to strengthen immunity. In the season of exacerbation of the virus, vitamin complexes should be taken. It is necessary to regularly ventilate a room with a large number of people.
