Many people wonder what herpes is and how to treat it. And this is not at all surprising. The question is not idle, because this is a very common disease. The most common is herpes simplex, referring to the first type (oral) or the second (genital). The latter can be seen in the inguinal region of the patient. A person develops a rash on the thighs, genitals, buttocks, in the perineum, and sometimes even on the back and legs. She itches quite badly and hurts.
Causes of herpes
All patients would like to know why they developed herpes. The causes of this disease are extremely simple. You can “pick up” this disease both directly from an infected person with visible (in other words, fresh) signs of herpes, and from people with not very noticeable manifestations, but still representing a danger to others. These patients are also actively shedding the virus. You can get sick after contact with household items (dishes, towels, toys, sheets) that they touched. In addition, the disease can be transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as sexually. Infection occurs after the virus enters the skin(especially injured) or mucous membranes. Genital herpes, in particular, can be transmitted through sex. This disease is not uncommon. Herpes simplex is common in people who actively change sexual partners.
Interesting features of herpes
It is interesting that the virus can be actively transmitted from one person to another only during the acute course of the disease, in other words, if there are sufficiently noticeable ulcers on the lips, buttocks, thighs, genitals, in the groin area. And when the crust peels off from these injuries, the sick person ceases to pose a danger to his environment. Genital herpes is rarely transmitted through household items; Of course, such cases have happened, but this is an exception to the rule. In addition, doctors say that this disease is more common in women than in men. But herpes, the causes of which often lie in communication with a sick person, causes inconvenience to absolutely everyone, regardless of gender. Everyone would like to get rid of him.
Congenital herpes
Congenital herpes stands apart when a child becomes infected while still in the mother's body. This can happen if during pregnancy a girl experiences a primary infection, after which the viruses enter the bloodstream, or when the disease worsens in someone from her social circle. This is really scary, since this infection often causes malformations of the child, as well as his death (the same situation can occur during childbirth). Thus, this disease during pregnancy is veryserious problem. Experts advise getting tested for herpes in advance.
Symptoms and stages of herpes
With regard to herpes simplex (namely the first and second types), the following symptoms may develop approximately twelve hours before the onset of a painful rash: swelling, discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes, itching, discomfort in those places where at the next stage, signs of "fever" will appear. Further, on the affected areas, you can already notice the bubbles (usually crowded) with an inflamed lower part and a transparent substance inside. After a couple of days, this liquid becomes cloudy. The bubbles burst, and then turn into ulcers with a characteristic crust. This whole process, of course, disgusts many people. Herpes symptoms are definitely not pleasant. It should be noted that when the vial bursts and liquid flows out of it, viruses enter the environment in large quantities. It is during this period that personal hygiene must be carefully monitored so as not to infect anyone.
Duration of one episode of disease
All stages of herpes exacerbation are accompanied by general malaise, weakness, and often fever. As a rule, each episode of the course of the disease can last up to three months. However, one should not think that the virus completely leaves the body - it simply goes into a latent (in other words, implicit) state until the next relapse (in other words, exacerbation).
Treatment of different types of disease
Herpes is very common, therefore, we can confidently say that almost everyone at least once learned from their own experience what the manifestations of this disease are. However, not all patients are serious about the treatment of this disease, since the signs of a "cold on the lip" can disappear on their own, even without the use of drugs. On the other hand, people who do not pay due attention to their he alth justify themselves by saying that it will still not be possible to completely get rid of the virus. However, they probably do not fully realize that by starting the necessary treatment in a timely manner, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of exacerbations, and this is a very important argument in favor of contacting a specialist. Herpes is an infection whose manifestations should not be ignored. It is very important to understand this.
Cure for herpes
It is necessary to start therapy for herpes on the lip as soon as possible, best of all - at the first stage, when there are practically no external signs yet.
You can prevent their appearance using the Acyclovir tool (Zovirax, Gerpevir, and Virolex). In order for the affected area to stop itching, you can drink Paracetamol or Aspirin (however, it is not recommended to do this without consulting a specialist). "Acyclovir" is represented by tablets, and all kinds of ointments, and creams, and liquids for injections. It must be understood that it is forbidden to use medications without consulting a doctor. Even if you have never had an allergy to medications, it canarise out of the blue. But medication alone would not be enough. Also, antibodies to herpes help fight the disease. They appear in the body within 7 to 14 days after infection.
Hygiene requirements during the period of illness, ointments and oils
While adhering to the herpes treatment regimen drawn up by the doctor on the lip, it is necessary to remember the unquestioning observance of hygiene requirements. The ointment from the virus should be applied only with clean fingers, after the procedure, washing them with hot water and soap. And you can spread the herpes medicine on the lip with cotton swabs - it's very easy and simple. For the affected areas, zinc or tetracycline ointment is excellent. It will not be superfluous to use oils that provide softening. Rosehip and sea buckthorn give a wonderful effect. You should not touch the ulcers with your fingers, so as not to infect them even more, it is also forbidden to tear off the crusts (so the disease will only worsen). If there are affected areas on the face, it is not recommended to use tonal products, but it is advisable to moisturize the lips with colorless lipstick. Having learned about what herpes is and how to treat it, many patients begin to pay all their attention to the treatment of this disease, forgetting about other recommendations regarding behavior in case of illness. This, of course, is unacceptable.
How to behave during a relapse?
During a relapse, contact with others should be kept to a minimum. Under no circumstances should you kiss! In addition, a person must have a personaldishes that need to be properly washed after each meal. It is good if the patient excludes s alty and sour foods from his menu. Often, herpes on the lip is activated by a large amount of sunlight. If you notice that bubbles appear after being outdoors for a long time, start using lipstick that protects from ultraviolet radiation. If herpes appears on another part of the body under the influence of the sun, you should apply cosmetics that protect against its influence. You can buy it in many stores. Every infected person needs to be aware of what herpes is and how to treat it.
Herpes on the nose and chin
Lips are not the only place where the disease manifests itself. Also, herpes can occur in the nose (this option is the most painful) and on the chin. This happens quite often. As a rule, these are signs of the same type of herpes simplex, located on different parts of the body - drugs and treatment regimens are usually identical to those recommended for "cold on the lip." But you still need to see a doctor.
Herpes stomatitis
Quite often, signs of the disease can appear in the mouth - it is there that the disease makes itself felt, which is also called herpetic (herpes) stomatitis. In particular, manifestations of the disease occur in the tongue and throat. How do they look? Small sensitive ulcers appear on the tongue, soon turning into sores filled with pus. They hurt so much that it is impossible to eat or even drink. Patients are aware of what isherpes and how to treat it, but still are in despair from the current situation. You won't envy them.
Herpetic stomatitis can also be localized in the throat, but this is quite rare. This situation occurs when the disease affects large areas of the mucous membranes in the oral cavity. It must be understood that the approach to the disease should almost always be individual. This disease should not be confused with herpetic sore throat.
How to prevent the emergence and spread of the disease?
Herpes prevention is very important. During the period of recurrence of any type of illness, one should not leave the apartment, even if only out of pity for others: after all, it is when ulcers are perfectly visible that the patient becomes very dangerous for other people. Moreover, therapy can be carried out at home. Epidemiological control, as a rule, includes only accounting for the number of infected, establishing risk factors, identifying sick pregnant women and providing information.
Preventive action to keep herpes from spreading to others is like advice about seasonal colds that everyone is aware of. You should not communicate with the sick and often be in a crowd, you must use protective equipment, namely gauze bandages, and carefully observe all the requirements of personal hygiene.
Prevention of genital herpes
And how to prevent infection with genital herpes? It's simple: you just need to remember the advice of doctors onabout protection against any disease transmitted during sex. However, a condom cannot always provide complete safety: for example, if the patient’s body parts strewn with sores come into contact with the mucous membranes or skin of another person, then the latex product is powerless here. However, such herpes prevention is of great importance.
Herpes vaccine
To prevent the occurrence of exacerbations with an existing disease, a special vaccine against this disease should be introduced. The same method can be used to prevent primary infection. People who do not suffer from immunodeficiency need to be vaccinated five times with a break of a couple of days. It is necessary to re-do these vaccinations in six months. People who are immunocompromised and prone to frequent exacerbations of the disease (about once every 30 days) are given the same five vaccines at intervals of one or two weeks. Whatever situation you are in, remember: herpes simplex type 2, just like the first, can be defeated!
