Chronic herpes is one of the most common viral diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. It is impossible to completely get rid of this virus. But there are effective ways to deal with it. A number of available herpes medications can help relieve symptoms and reduce recurrences.
Herpes: the course of the disease
The herpes simplex virus is widespread throughout the world. Herpes infection is most commonly caused by contact with a change (follicle, stigma) or discharge from affected mucous membranes or skin. The HSV virus can be contracted from a person who is in the asymptomatic phase of the disease.
Herpes simplex virus is divided into:
- The primary form of infection - when a carrier of the virus infects a he althy person).
- Chronic herpes - when the virus is found in the body in a latent form. The infection can affect the nasopharyngeal cavity, genitals, eyes and skin. In some cases, the virus can enter the central nervous system, causingsevere inflammation of the brain and meninges.
The most dangerous is a viral infection in humans:
- immunocompromised (e.g. AIDS patients);
- immunosuppressed (cancer patients);
- newborns.
A characteristic symptom of the disease is changes in the form of painful blisters that burst, leaving an ulcer.
The incubation period of the disease, i.e. the time from infection to the development of the first symptoms, in the case of herpes averages 2-7 days. After this time, characteristic vesicles may appear on the skin and mucous membranes, filled with serous fluid and tending to accumulate. The blisters then burst, forming erosions, usually covered with scabs or superficial ulcers. The infection may be accompanied by general symptoms such as high fever, weakness, headache, swollen local lymph nodes. With a primary infection, changes usually last 14-21 days, and in the case of recurrent chronic herpes, more mild symptoms are observed, they last 7-10 days.
Infection with the herpes virus: symptoms
In the case of most primary infections, there are usually no symptoms of the disease, but there are infections with an acute course.
Inflammation in the nasopharyngeal cavity in children may manifest as follows:
- inflammation of the mouth and/or throat;
- bubbles on the mucous membranes of the mouth and gums;
- pain and bleeding gums;
- high temperature;
- dilation of local lymph nodes.
In adults, the primary infection is characterized by inflammation of the throat and tonsils.
Primary infections in the genital area can sometimes lead to an acute condition, especially in women. Observed:
- pain and redness of the genitals;
- swelling of mucous membranes;
- painful urination;
- secretion from the genitals;
- expansion of inguinal lymph nodes;
- vesicles on the surface of the genital mucosa;
- high fever and malaise.
Primary eye infection includes:
- eye swelling;
- itchy eyes;
- blisters on the eyelids and slight erosions on the conjunctiva.
Primary skin infections can involve changes in any part of the body, in rare cases they can spread throughout the body.
Primary infection in infants can be divided into 3 groups due to clinical symptoms:
- infections in which children experience changes in the skin, mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes;
- infections with symptoms of encephalitis and without or with skin lesions;
- multi-organ infections.
Chronic herpes virus
In case of reactivation of latent infection, the symptoms are as follows:
- Re-infection of the nasopharyngeal cavity occurs in the form of lesions on the border of the skin of the mucous membrane, on the lips of the mouth. Initially, itching is felt, then a painful blister appears, which bursts,leaving a long healing wound.
- Chronic genital herpes usually manifests as one or more follicles in the genital area (at the vulva, vagina, cervix, urethra, penis) or in the rectum and around the anus. After the rupture of the bladder, an ulcer remains, which heals within two to four weeks. Typically, reactivation of the infection occurs weeks or months after the primary infection, but is almost always milder and shorter than the primary infection.
- Chronic eye herpes is characterized by the same symptoms as in the case of primary infection.
- Infection of the brain and meninges may result from primary and latent infection with HSV-1 or HSV-2. The disease is characterized by a sudden onset, starting with non-specific symptoms such as high fever and headaches. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms worsen, leading to behavioral and cognitive disturbances, syncope, and coma. The occurrence of symptoms of inflammation of the central nervous system requires immediate medical attention.
Types of herpes virus
Today, about 130 herpesviruses have been identified, including 9 isolated from the human body. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) belongs to the Herpesviride family. There are two types of this virus:
HSV-1 is also called herpes labialis, which most often causes infections in the nasopharyngeal cavity, on the face, eye, less often central nervous system infections and infections in newborns
HSV-2 - called herpes of the genitals, whichmainly causes genital herpes, infection of the central nervous system and infections in newborns
Herpes: the route of infection
Infection with HSV-1 is most often caused by direct contact - droplet, kissing or contact with skin lesions, but also indirect factors - contaminated skin of the hands of a person infected with the virus. The HSV-2 virus is usually transmitted through sexual contact.
There are also known cases of autoinfection, when the virus is transferred from the skin of the hands to the eyes or genitals. The incubation period averages 3-7 days.
The HSV virus penetrates into epithelial cells thanks to special receptors. Upon entry into host cells, the virus replicates and activates an inflammatory response. Replication (multiplication) of the virus and the inflammatory response cause the destruction and death of infected cells. After a primary infection, the virus travels through nerve cells, resides in nerve ganglia, and reactivates in response to factors such as weak immunity, menstruation, trauma, etc.
Herpes can not only cause repeated painful sores, but, unfortunately, the consequences of the disease can be much more serious. It has been found that chronic herpes may play an important role in the spread of AIDS. People with genital ulcers are more susceptible to HIV infection.
HSV infection and pregnancy
Infection of the genital tract by HSV in pregnant women can lead to a potentially fatal infection in newborns. That's whyit is important to prevent infection in women who are expecting a child. Recently acquired infection during late pregnancy is the highest risk of transmission to the child (30-40%), while in the case of latent infection in the mother, the risk is only 3-4%. If a woman has an active genital infection, it is usually recommended to give birth by caesarean section. Fortunately, infection in newborns is very rare. The consequences of infection during any pregnancy can lead to very serious pathological changes in the child (including miscarriage or premature birth):
- congenital defects of the central nervous system;
- extensive skin changes;
- eye infection;
- inflammation of the liver, brain, lungs;
- sluggishness;
- child death (50% mortality rate);
- permanent neurological disorders (about 50% of children).
Chronic herpes has also been found to contribute to the development of cervical cancer.
Risk factors for contracting herpes
The main source of infection is contact with a sick person, especially in the active phase of the disease. In the case of genital herpes, the surest way to avoid infection is to abstain from sexual contact or relationships with a regular partner.
The main factors that increase the risk of a primary herpes simplex infection are:
- early sex life;
- partner HSV infection;
- risk sexual behavior, i.e. a large number of sexual partners;
- homosexuality;
- presence of other sexually transmitted diseases;
- condom neglect;
- poor personal hygiene;
- abnormal vaginal flora (low lactic acid bacteria);
- smoking.
HSV-2 also contributes to factors such as
- sexual contact - more common and easier in women than men;
- age - the infection is most common in people aged 18-30;
- socioeconomic status and related access to basic he alth care.
Factors contributing to the reactivation of the herpes virus:
- chronic fatigue;
- stress;
- fever;
- bacterial infections;
- menstruation;
- UV radiation;
- immunosuppression;
- injuries and wounds (burns, cosmetic procedures such as depilation and dermabrasion, irritation from chemicals or cosmetics caused by sexual intercourse).
How to treat herpes?
Treating chronic herpes is difficult as there are no drugs that can completely remove this virus from the body. Taking antiviral drugs is aimed at alleviating and shortening the duration of the symptoms of the disease and reducing the likelihood of infection by third parties. Herpes treatment depends on the affected area.
- In the case of chronic herpes on the lips and skin lesions, ointments containing acyclovir are used. The drug shouldstart using as early as possible and lubricate the affected area relatively often.
- For genital infections, Acyclovir is used in oral tablets, usually 5 times a day for 5 days.
- For severe infections of the central nervous system and newborns, inpatient treatment is used, where the drug is administered intravenously for 2-3 weeks.
Herpes - how to prevent it?
There are currently no vaccines for HSV.
The surest way to prevent illness:
- avoiding contact (kissing, sexual contact) with a person in the active phase of the disease;
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- consistent and correct condom use,
- avoiding risky sexual behavior;
- avoiding excessive exposure to UV (tanning).
Pregnant women should avoid exposure to this disease, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy.
The best way to prevent chronic herpes infection:
- stress avoidance;
- personal hygiene;
- he althy eating;
- care for good immunity.
Home remedies for herpes
There are many home remedies for herpes. Among these methods are compresses and wraps on the sore spot using garlic, onion, lemon juice, aloe juice, tea tree oil, St. John's wort, basil.
The effectiveness of these methods is debatable, and the assessment of their effect on herpes is a rather subjective matter.
